# Stochastic quantum mechanics

(Redirected from Stochastic interpretation)

Stochastic quantum mechanics (or the stochastic interpretation) is an interpretation of quantum mechanics.

The modern application of stochastics to quantum mechanics involves the assumption of spacetime stochasticity, the idea that the small-scale structure of spacetime is undergoing both metric and topological fluctuations (John Archibald Wheeler's "quantum foam"), and that the averaged result of these fluctuations recreates a more conventional-looking metric at larger scales that can be described using classical physics, along with an element of nonlocality that can be described using quantum mechanics. A stochastic interpretation of quantum mechanics is due to persistent vacuum fluctuation. The main idea is that vacuum or spacetime fluctuations are the reason for quantum mechanics and not a result of it as it is usually considered.

## Stochastic mechanics

The first relatively coherent stochastic theory of quantum mechanics was put forward by Hungarian physicist Imre Fényes[1] who was able to show the Schrödinger equation could be understood as a kind of diffusion equation for a Markov process.[2][3]

Louis de Broglie[4] felt compelled to incorporate a stochastic process underlying quantum mechanics to make particles switch from one pilot wave to another.[5] Perhaps the most widely known theory where quantum mechanics is assumed to describe an inherently stochastic process was put forward by Edward Nelson[6] and is called stochastic mechanics. This was also developed by Davidson, Guerra, Ruggiero and others.[7]

## Stochastic electrodynamics

Stochastic quantum mechanics can be applied to the field of electrodynamics and is called stochastic electrodynamics (SED).[8] SED differs profoundly from quantum electrodynamics (QED) but is nevertheless able to account for some vacuum-electrodynamical effects within a fully classical framework.[9] In classical electrodynamics it is assumed there are no fields in the absence of any sources, while SED assumes that there is always a constantly fluctuating classical field due to zero-point energy. As long as the field satisfies the Maxwell equations there is no a priori inconsistency with this assumption.[10] Since Trevor W. Marshall[11] originally proposed the idea it has been of considerable interest to a small but active group of researchers.[12]

## References

### Notes

1. ^ See I. Fényes (1946, 1952)
2. ^ Davidson (1979), p. 1
3. ^ de la Peña & Cetto (1996), p. 36
4. ^ de Broglie (1967)
5. ^ de la Peña & Cetto (1996), p. 36
6. ^ See E. Nelson (1966, 1985, 1986)
7. ^ de la Peña & Cetto (1996), p. 36
8. ^ de la Peña & Cetto (1996), p. 65
9. ^ Milonni (1994), p. 128
10. ^ Milonni (1994), p. 290
11. ^ See T. W. Marshall (1963, 1965)
12. ^ Milonni (1994), p. 129

### Papers

• de Broglie, L. (1967). "Le Mouvement Brownien d'une Particule Dans Son Onde". C. R. Acad. Sci. B264: 1041.
• Davidson, M. P. (1979). "The Origin of the Algebra of Quantum Operators in the Stochastic Formulation of Quantum Mechanics" (PDF). Letters in Mathematical Physics. 3 (5): 367–376. arXiv:quant-ph/0112099. Bibcode:1979LMaPh...3..367D. doi:10.1007/BF00397209. ISSN 0377-9017.
• Fényes, I. (1946). "A Deduction of Schrödinger Equation". Acta Bolyaiana. 1 (5): ch. 2.
• Fényes, I. (1952). "Eine wahrscheinlichkeitstheoretische Begründung und Interpretation der Quantenmechanik". 132 (1): 81–106. Bibcode:1952ZPhy..132...81F. doi:10.1007/BF01338578. ISSN 1434-6001. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
• Marshall, T. W. (1963). "Random Electrodynamics". Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences. 276 (1367): 475–491. Bibcode:1963RSPSA.276..475M. doi:10.1098/rspa.1963.0220. ISSN 1364-5021.
• Marshall, T. W. (1965). "Statistical Electrodynamics". Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. 61 (02): 537. Bibcode:1965PCPS...61..537M. doi:10.1017/S0305004100004114. ISSN 0305-0041.
• Nelson, E. (1966). Dynamical Theories of Brownian Motion. Princeton: Princeton University Press. OCLC 25799122.
• Nelson, E. (1985). Quantum Fluctuations. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-08378-9. LCCN 84026449. OCLC 11549759.
• Nelson, E. (1986). "Field Theory and the Future of Stochastic Mechanics". In Albeverio, S.; Casati, G.; Merlini, D. (eds.). Stochastic Processes in Classical and Quantum Systems. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. pp. 438–469. doi:10.1007/3-540-17166-5. ISBN 978-3-662-13589-1. OCLC 864657129.