Geometrizing Relativistic Quantum Mechanics: F.T. Falciano
Geometrizing Relativistic Quantum Mechanics: F.T. Falciano
Geometrizing Relativistic Quantum Mechanics: F.T. Falciano
DOI 10.1007/s10701-010-9496-1
1 Introduction
Our aim in this work is to propose a similar but different approach to describe
quantum effects. We argue that relativistic quantum mechanics can also be under-
stood as a manifestation of what we shall call a Qwist (quantum weyl integrable
spacetime). In particular, we construct a geometrical version of Heisenberg’s uncer-
tainty principle, which is related to the variation of a vector’s length in Qwist. This
length variability also happens in Weyl spaces but with a completely different physi-
cal meaning as shall be clear in what follows.
In the next section we shall describe the formal basis of our approach. In advance,
it seems convenient to stress that to define a physical theory one has first of all to
define its kinematic properties. Given an action principle together with a set of dy-
namical fields does not completely specify the theory. In particular, each theory has
its own internal symmetries, which can be used to construct an equivalent class of
observers [16]. The point we would like to stress is that one has to define from the
beginning which are the allowed transformations of the dynamical fields.
In particular, one should not be misled by similarities of some of the equations and
confuse Qwist with any other geometrical space. Let us now define the structure of
the Qwist space that we shall identify with the physical spacetime.
A Qwist is a geometrical manifold (gμν ; Γμν α ) endowed with a metric tensor and a
symmetric affine connection Γμν = Γ(μν) . Its symmetry group is the Manifold Map-
α α
1 Note that the symmetry group of a Qwist space does not include conformal transformations, which are
characteristic to Weyl spaces.
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The non-metricity condition (1) implies that the length of a vector is not preserved
if parallel transported
δl = −lΩ −1 Ω,μ dx μ . (3)
The above equation has an important physical meaning. It describes how the phys-
ical length of a ruler changes from point to point. Note that as long as the extra degree
of freedom is a scalar field Ω (x ) = Ω(x) there is no gauge freedom in (3).
Furthermore, condition (1) does not suffers from any kind of second clock effect
[17, 18] that could be present if instead of the gradient of a scalar function it were a
vector field. Considering (3), it is immediate to show that the length of a vector does
not change along a closed path
δl = 0. (4)
Thus, this property guarantees that all local measurements such as distances are
well defined and can be uniquely determined.
As usual, the curvature tensor can be written in terms of the connection as
Rαμβν = Γμβ,ν
α
− Γμν,β
α
+ Γμβ
ε α
Γνε − Γμν
ε α
Γεβ ,
μν
where Zλ is given by
μν √ 1 √ 1 √ μ
Zλ ≡ ( −g g μν Ω 2 ); λ − ( −g g μα Ω 2 ); α δ νλ − ( −g g να Ω 2 ); α δ λ = 0. (9)
2 2
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Substituting (10) again in (9) we finally obtain the condition that characterize a Qwist
geometry
Ω, α
gμν ; α = −2 gμν . (11)
Ω
In the following sections we will study the dynamics of a spinless charged particle
in a Qwist geometry and relate it to a relativistic quantum system. In particular, we
will show that this system yields the correct non-relativistic limit, i.e. the Schrödinger
equation for a charged particle.
We shall describe quantum mechanics using the Bohm-de Broglie causal inter-
pretation, which are amongst the well-defined formulations that reproduce the same
results of the orthodox interpretation but has the advantage of describing matter as
point-like particles.
In addition, we propose a geometrical interpretation of Heisenberg’s uncer-
tainty principle. This relativistic geometrical version combines both the position-
momentum and time-energy relations in an unique principle, which decouples into
the usual Heisenberg’s uncertainty principles in the non-relativistic limit.
Finally, we discuss how our results are related to Klein-Gordon’s equation from a
geometrical point of view and conclude in the last section with some final remarks.
with
Lg ≡ λ2 R, (13)
g μν
e
e
Lm ≡ 2 ∂μ S − Aμ ∂ν S − Aν − μ2 . (14)
c c
In the above expressions g is the determinant of the metric gμν and R is the
Ricci scalar. As already mentioned, S is the relativistic version of the Hamilton’s
principle function of the particle which here is coupled to the gauge field Aμ = (ϕ, A)
describing an external electromagnetic field.
The constants appearing above are the speed of light c, the gravitational constant
κ ≡ 16πG/c3 , a dimensionless λ to be determined, the particle’s electric charge e
and its inverse Compton wavelength μ ≡ mc/.
We should strongly stress that there is no gravitational interaction in this system.
The gravitational constant κ appears as a global factor and it is introduce only to
adjust the dimensionality of the action [I ] = . Actually, one should not be surprised
by the introduction of κ inasmuch this is the only way to change the dimensionality
of the curvature scalar to dimension of action.
This system has three dynamical variables to be varied, namely, the dimensionless
scalar function Ω, the connection Γμν λ and S. Variation with respect to the connection
give us the geometrical structure of spacetime. Following the derivation of Sect. 1.1,
(7)–(11), we have
μν
δI = d4 x Zλ δΓμν λ
= 0 ⇒ gμν;λ = −2 (ln Ω),λ gμν . (15)
2 √ e
δI = − 2 d4 x −g Ω 2 ∂ μ (δS) ∂μ S − Aμ = 0,
κ c
2 √ e
= 2 d4 x −g g μν Ω 2 ∂μ S − Aμ δS = 0, (16)
κ c //ν
e
⇒ g μν Ω 2 ∂μ S − Aμ = 0,
c //ν
where we have dropped a surface term using the four-dimensional Gauss theorem.
Note that we have written this expression using a Riemannian covariant derivative,
i.e. defined using the Christoffel symbol only.
Finally, variation with respect to Ω gives
e
e
∂μ S − Aμ ∂ μ S − Aμ − m2 c2 + λ2 2 R = 0. (17)
c c
Since we are supposing that the Riemannian part of the Qwist geometry is
Minkowskian, gμν = diag(1, −1, −1, −1), by choosing λ2 = 1/6, the above equa-
tion becomes
e
e Ω
∂μ S − Aμ ∂ μ S − Aμ − m2 c2 − 2 = 0. (18)
c c Ω
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Equation (18) generalize the relativistic Hamilton-Jacobi equation with the inclu-
sion of the last term. This extra term which is basically the Weyl curvature scalar
respond for all relativistic quantum effects of this system.
The Weyl curvature scalar plays the same role in this relativistic scenario as the
Bohmian quantum potential for the non-relativistic quantum mechanics [19–22]. In
particular, the classical regime is attained in the limit Ω → 0.
Given a field configuration for the gauge field Aμ , (16) and (18) define a closed
system that is well defined with the specification of appropriate initial conditions.
Notwithstanding, since quantum effects are now given by modifications of the space-
time structure, it shall be convenient to use a hydrodynamical description and asso-
ciate the particle’s world-line with a time-like congruence.
Following [23–26] we shall define our canonical momentum one-form P̃ = Pμ θμ
and de Broglie’s mass respectively as
e
Pμ ≡ ∂μ S − Aμ , (19)
c
2 2 Ω
M ≡ m2 + 2 R = m 1 + 2 2 . (20)
6c m c Ω
dx μ 1 M2 2
Vμ =c ≡ g μν Pν =⇒ V μ Vμ = c . (22)
ds m m2
Thus, there is an intrinsic time re-parameterization along the particle’s trajectory
given by
dλ m
ds = = dλ. (23)
1+ 2 Ω M
m2 c 2 Ω
μ 1
4 μ 1
2 μ
ξ ;μ = Ω ξ or ξμ;ν g μν = Ω ξ ,
Ω4 //μ Ω2 //μ
which connects the covariant derivative of Qwist and Riemann geometries. Hence,
the continuity-like equation (16) can be written as
1
2 α
Ω P = Pα ; β g αβ = 0, (24)
Ω2 //α
which can be viewed as an integrability condition on Qwist for the canonical momen-
tum Pμ .
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Note that the original system equations (16) and (18) are equivalent to (21) and
(24). Notwithstanding the mathematical equivalence, one should bear in mind that its
physical interpretation is completely different. The Dynamical equations for the two
scalar functions, namely S and Ω is now substituted by kinematic relations for the
time-like congruence U μ .
As a matter of fact, specifying our Cauchy-surface Σc as a space-like hypersurface
where P μ is time-like and orthogonal everywhere, one can show [26–28] that the
integrability condition given by (24) guarantees that P μ will always remains time-
like. This can be proved as follows.
Consider the variation along the congruence U μ of the quantity Ω 2 MδV , where
δV is an infinitesimal 3-volume orthogonal to the congruence. It’s straightforward to
show that
d
−2
Ω MδV = U α ∂α Ω −2 M δV + Ω −2 MU α ∂α (δV )
dλ
= U α ∂α Ω −2 M δV + Ω −2 MδV U α;α
= Ω −2 MU α δV = Ω −2 P α δV
;α ;α
−2
= Pα ; β g αβ
Ω δV = 0 . (25)
Hence, as long as δV and Ω −2 are always positive and (25) shows that
Ω −2 MδV = C te then M 2 should not change sign. Given that P μ is time-like on
the Cauchy-surface, i.e. P μ Pμ (Σc ) = M 2 (Σc ) > 0 then it also has to be time-like
everywhere Pμ P μ (x) > 0.
Our system is suitable to describe relativistic spinless charged particles. Therefore,
one might be concerned how to deal with creation-annihilation processes and if it is
possible to consistently define a time-like congruence like P μ in the presence of both
particles and anti-particles.
We should emphasize that this analyses deals only with non-interacting particle
which in a sense avoid these kind of difficulties. However, this formalism is as good
to describe particles as it is to describe anti-particles due to its invariance under time
reversal accompanied by a change of sign of the electrical charge e. A time rever-
sal is equivalent to a change of sign of the Hamilton’s function S → −S. Hence
it’s straightforward to show that the system of (16) and (18), remains unchanged if
e → −e. We shall come back later to this issues in Sect. 2.3.
Finally, consider the particle’s trajectory, which is given by integrating (21). One
should already expect that the particle should not follow a geodetic trajectory as long
as it has a quantum force acting on it. Given the particle’s velocity field we can cal-
culate this quantum force using the kinematic equations. As a matter of convenience,
we shall for the moment consider a Cartesian coordinates so that
dU μ c2 U α ∂α M μ e
= ∂ μM − U + F μα U α ,
dλ M M M
where we have define the components of the electromagnetic tensor as Fμν ≡ ∂μ Aν −
∂ν Aμ . We can readily recognize the last term as being the Lorentz’s force while the
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two first ones are intrinsically geometrical terms that we commonly associate with
quantum effects.
The geodesic equation written in its covariant form gives
d2 x μ α
μ dx dx
β e
+ Γ = Wμ + F μ U α, (26)
dλ 2 αβ
dλ dλ Mc2 α
with
M 1 α M
W μ ≡ ∂ μ ln − U ∂α ln U μ. (27)
Ω c2 Ω2
Note that the quantum force W μ also depends on the velocity field W μ =
W μ (Ω, U λ ).
The above system describes a charged relativistic point-like particle interacting with
an external electromagnetic field in a Q-wist geometry. This system can be under-
stood as a relativistic generalization of the Schrödinger picture of quantum mechan-
ics. As we shall now show, it is possible to recover the Schrödinger description by
redefining the Hamilton’s principal function and taking the usual non-relativistic limit
c → ∞.
One of the main difference in the description of a relativistic particle is that its
energy contains its inertial rest mass as a potential-like energy. Furthermore, inas-
much the energy is related to the Hamilton’s function by E = − ∂S ∂t , we define the
non-relativistic version of the Hamilton’s function by Snr ≡ S + mc2 t .
Substituting this ansatz in (18) we find
∂Snr eA0 1
e 2 e2 A0 A0 2 ∇ 2 Ω
1− 2
+ ∇Snr − A + eA0 − 2
−
∂t mc 2m c 2mc 2m Ω
2
1 ∂Snr 2 ∂ 2 Ω
− − = 0.
2mc2 ∂t Ω ∂t 2
eA0
By considering the limit c → ∞ it is licit to neglect mc2
with respect to 1 and
e2 A0 A0
2mc2
to eA0 . Furthermore, the last two terms go away and we identify the spatial
part of the Weyl curvature as the non-relativistic Bohmian quantum potential Q =
2 ∇ 2 Ω
− 2m Ω [19–22].
Thus, in this limit we have
∂Snr 1
e 2
+ ∇Snr − A + eA0 + Q = 0, (28)
∂t 2m c
which reproduce the first non-relativistic Bohmian equation, namely the Hamilton-
Jacobi like equation.
The second non-relativistic equation is derived directly from (16),
1 ∂ 2 ∂Snr Ω 2 (∇S nr − e A)
=0
Ω − mc 2
− eA 0 − ∇.
c2 ∂t ∂t c
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eA0
and again neglecting mc2
with respect to 1 and the terms containing 1/c2
∂Ω 2
∇S nr e
A
+ ∇. Ω 2 − = 0. (29)
∂t m mc
As it’s well known, (28) and (29) are equivalent to the Schrödinger equation.2
Hence it is in fact legitimate to view (16) and (18) as relativistic generalizations of the
Schröndinger picture of quantum mechanics for a spinless charged point-like particle.
Note that in this limit the geometrical description degenerates to
M −→ m, U μ −→ V μ , dλ −→ ds.
The de Broglie’s Mass M goes to the particle’s rest mass m while both velocity
fields coincide as well as its parameterization. In non-relativistic quantum mechanics
one can understand the quantum force as a deviation from an Euclidean geodesic
[29]. If we chose a coordinate system which has a vanishing Christoffel symbol, one
can show that
d2 x μ ∂ e
= hμν ν Q + F μν V ν ,
dt 2 ∂x m
where we have defined the projector tensor hμν along the velocity field V μ by hμν ≡
g μν − V μ V ν . Taking the non-relativistic limit (see [30–32] for more details), the
spatial part becomes
d2 x
m + e E + v × B ,
= −∇Q
dt 2
where v is the particle’s 3-velocity. As expected, the particle feels the usual electro-
magnetic force plus the non-relativistic quantum force given by −∇Q.
2 The above mentioned pair of equations are precisely the Bohm-de Broglie system of equations that one
finds when uses the polar form of the wave-function ψ = Ω exp{ i Sc } in Schrödinger’s equation.
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addition, taking the non-relativistic limit from this relation we shall show that we
recover both uncertainty relation for position and momentum as well as for time and
energy.
As we have shown (6), the Qwist curvature scalar can be decomposed in a Rie-
mannian part plus the contribution of the extra degree of freedom Ω. If we suppose
that the Riemannian part is flat, R̂ = 0, then
6 ∂ 2Ω ∇ 2Ω
R=− + 6 .
c2 Ω ∂t 2 Ω
Apart from the speed of light c, the above equation shows that Qwist curvature
scalar which has dimension of inverse length squared is a sum of two terms one with
dimension of inverse time squared and the other with dimension of inverse length
squared. Thus, we define the Weyl length and Weyl time by
2 −1/2
∇ Ω 6 ∂ 2 Ω −1/2
Lw ≡
6 Ω ; Tw ≡
Ω ∂t 2
. (30)
dλ
ds = .
2 Ω
1+ m2 c 2 Ω
2
p 2 . L2w = .
6
To interpret the above equation as an uncertainty-like relation we need an extra as-
sumption. Suppose that any length measurement ΔL can only measure distances big-
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2 ∂ 2 Ω 2 2∇ Ω
2
E 2 = m2 c4 + p 2 c2 + − c
Ω ∂t 2 Ω
2
1 p 2 ∇ 2 Ω 1 2 ∂ 2 Ω
⇒ E = mc2 1 + 2 2
− 2
+ 4 2 .
c m m Ω c m Ω ∂t 2
In Sect. 2.1, we have argued that the non-relativistic Hamilton’s principle function
should be related to the relativistic one by Snr = S + mc2 t which can be interpreted as
Enr = E − mc2 . Therefore, expanding in power of c−2 , the above equation becomes
p2 2 ∇ 2 Ω 2 ∂ 2 Ω 1
2
Enr = − + 2 2
− 3 2
p − 2 Ω −1 ∇ 2 + O(1/c4 ).
2m 2mΩ 2mc Ω ∂t 8m c
(33)
In zeroth order,
p2 2 ∇ 2 Ω
Enr = − .
2m 2mΩ
Note that the non-relativistic energy includes a classical term p 2 /2m plus a geomet-
rical term − 2mΩ
2∇2Ω
. Using this result in the second order term we find
2 ∂ 2 Ω 2
Ecl
0= −
2mc2 Ω ∂t 2 2mc2
which gives
2
2
Ecl . Tw2 = . (34)
6
A time measurement is by definition the length of a 4-d trajectory in a fix spatial
point. However, in Qwist appears an intrinsic time re-parameterization (23) which is
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certainly not include in the Euclidean definition of a standard clock. Generalizing the
hypothesis that a length measurement has to be greater than the weyl length Lw , we
shall suppose that a time measurement realized by a standard clock has to be greater
than the weyl time Tw , i.e. Δt ≥ Tw . Through this hypothesis, the above relation
becomes
ΔEcl .Δt ≥ ΔEcl .Tw ⇒ ΔEcl .Δt ≥ √ . (35)
6
Note that the uncertainty relation for position and momentum (32) is naturally
incorporated into the uncertainty relation for time and energy. Actually, it is the en-
tanglement between space and time that allows us to derive the above relation (35).
In orthodox quantum mechanics, the impossibility of deriving the uncertainty re-
lation for time and energy is commonly associated with the role played by time as an
external parameter, i.e. a lack of a time operator. Our geometrical approach does not
deal with operators and in fact treats space and time variables on equal footing in the
relativistic sense.
Dμ D μ ψ − m2 c2 ψ = 0,
where we have defined the gauge covariant derivative operator Dμ ≡ i∂μ + eAμ .
As it is well known, the above equation can be derived using a variational principle
with Lagrangian density
L = −−1 D̄μ ψ ∗ D μ ψ − m2 c2 ψ ∗ ψ , (36)
1 √ Ω g μν
e
e m2 c2
Iψ = d4 x −g Ω 2 − 2 ∂μ S − Aμ ∂ν S − Aν + 2 .
κ Ω c c
(37)
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Note that the above action is precisely (12), i.e. I = Iψ , if we impose beforehand
a Weyl affine structure for the spacetime and identify the scalar curvature with the
first term involving derivatives of Ω. Thus, in a sense, our approach is more general
as long as the affine structure is derived as a palatini-like variational principle.
This Lagrangian density naturally defines a conserved current
1 ∗← →
Jμ ≡ − ψ D μ ψ = Ω 2 ∂ μ S − eAμ = Ω 2 g μν Pν , (38)
2κ
and a energy-momentum tensor
2c c
Tμν ≡ D̄μ ψ ∗ D̄ν ψ − D̄λ ψ ∗ D̄ λ ψ + m2 ψ ∗ ψ gμν . (39)
The Klein-Gordon equation can be casted in a Schrödinger-like form by defining
a two-component wave-function (see [26, 33] for more detail). In this approach, it is
possible to identify positive and negative energy solutions. The energy is defined as
the eigenvalue of the Hamiltonian of this Schrödinger picture and it is numerically
equalto the spatial integral of the 00-component of the energy-momentum tensor, i.e.
E = d3 x T00 .
It can be shown that the negative energy solution can be mapped into the positive
energy solution by a charge conjugation operation. Therefore, as it is well known, we
can associate the negative energy solutions to anti-particle states. This charge conju-
gation is intrinsically related to the invariance of the system by a change of ψ → ψ ∗ .
Hence, charge conjugation can be imitated by a change S → −S and e → −e.
Notwithstanding, as previously emphasized, our analysis deals only with non-
interacting particle. Thus, even thought this formalism is as adequate to particles
as to anti-particles, we have not yet established how interacting process like creation-
annihilation should be described.
3 Conclusions
It had been shown in the literature that exist a very interesting connection between
non-Euclidean geometries and quantum phenomena. The predominant mechanism to
describe quantum effects by geometrical degrees of freedom has been based on Weyl
space. In the present work, we proposed a new geometrical approach based on a new
geometrical space that we called Qwist.
In Qwist, its extra scalar degree of freedom produce a length variability, which
is responsible for change in size of extended object. Furthermore, this is a physical
and in principle measurable effect. The physical interpretation of this length variabil-
ity allowed us to formulate a relativistic and geometrical version of the uncertainty
principle.
The non-Euclidean properties of Qwist provide two characteristics dimensions,
namely a Weyl length and a Weyl time defined by
2 −1/2
∇ Ω 1 ∂ 2 Ω −1/2
Lw ≡
Ω
;
Tw ≡ .
Ω ∂t 2
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These quantities quantify the departure from an Euclidean geometry, which can be
used to restrict the validity of a classical measurement. Therefore, there should have
some restriction on determining the properties of the system if there is a significant
departure from Euclidean geometry, i.e. there is a significant manifestation of non-
Euclideanity in Qwist.
To support the idea that action (12) correctly describes the dynamics of a rel-
ativistic charged “quantum” particle, we have studied its non-relativistic limit and
shown that it recovers the usual Schrödinger quantum dynamics. In addition, we re-
formulated our dynamical variables to connect this relativistic system with the Klein-
Gordon equation. In particular, it was necessary to define a new complex field that
from our point of view mix geometrical degrees of freedom with the particle’s Hamil-
ton principle function.
The present formalism is adequate to describe particles as well as anti-particles.
However, it not yet clear how interactions between particles and anti-particles shall
be included in this scenario. In addition, it is still an open issue the meaning of a
many-particles system and its physical interpretation in view of the Qwist geometrical
interpretation.
Acknowledgements We would like to thank CNPq of Brazil and MN also to FAPERJ for financial sup-
port. We would also like to thank the participants of “Pequeno Seminário” of ICRA-CBPF’s Cosmology
Group for useful discussions, comments and suggestions.
while the connection is constructed so that the covariant derivative of the metric is
zero Dg = 0 (see [34, 35]), or in components
ρ
Dμ gαβ = ∂μ gαβ − gρβ Γμα
ρ
− gαρ Γμβ − 2wμ gαβ = 0. (42)
where {μνα } is the Christoffel symbol. Note that the covariant derivative defined in
(42) is the usual covariant derivative constructed with the connection plus an extra
term related to the weyl vector field (wμ ). To distinguish it from the conventional
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Dμ ξα ≡ ∇μ ξα − nξα Λμ , (44)
where the ∇ defines the covariant derivative constructed with the connection ∇ν ξμ ≡
ξμ,ν − Γνμ ξα . Hence, we have defined the metric gμν as a tensor of power 2 in the
α
weyl sense.
From (42) one can easily show that
1 αξ α α
μν ≡ g̃ g̃ξ ν,μ + g̃μξ,ν − g̃μν,ξ = μν + δ ν Λ,μ + δ αμ Λ,ν − gμν Λ,α
α
2
which can be inverted
α α
μν =
μν − δ ν Λ,μ + δ μ Λ,ν − gμν Λ
α α ,α
(47)
zero. The conformal transformation does not change the metricity condition. Note
that if we blindly calculate ∇α g̃μν we find
∇α gμν = ∇α e2Λ g̃μν = 2Λ,α gμν (48)
which is also very similar to (45). However, contrary to (45), (48) has no physical
meaning. It is the covariant derivative in M applied to the metric tensor of M.
References