On a Time-Space Operator (and other Non-Selfadjoint Operators) for Observables in QM and QFT

Erasmo Recami, Michel Zamboni-Rached, Ignazio Licata

Published 2013-05-15Version 1

Aim of this paper is trying to show the possible significance, and usefulness, of various non-selfadjoint operators for suitable Observables in non-relativistic and relativistic quantum mechanics, and in quantum electrodynamics: More specifically, this work starts dealing with: (i) the hermitian (but not selfadjoint) Time operator in non-relativistic quantum mechanics and in quantum electrodynamics; with (ii) idem, with the introduction of Time and Space operators; and with (iii) the problem of the four-position and four-momentum operators, each one with its hermitian and anti-hermitian parts, for relativistic spin-zero particles. Afterwards, other physical applications of non-selfadjoint (and even non-hermitian) operators are briefly discussed. We mention how non-hermitian operators can indeed be used in physics [as it was done, elsewhere, for describing Unstable States]; and some considerations are added on the cases of the nuclear optical potential, of quantum dissipation, and in particular of an approach to the measurement problem in QM in terms of a "chronon". [This chapter is largely based on work developed, along the years, in collaboration with V.S.Olkhovsky, and, in smaller parts, with P.Smrz, with R.H.A.Farias, and with S.P.Maydanyuk]. PACS numbers: 03.65.Ta; 03.65.-w; 03.65.Pm; 03.70.+k; 03.65.Xp; 03.65.Yz; 11.10.St; 11.10.-z; 11.90.+t; 02.00.00; 03.00.00; 24.10.Ht; 03.65.Yz; 21.60.-u; 11.10.Ef; 03.65.Fd; 02.40.Dr; 98.80.Jk. Keywords: time operator, space-time operator, non-selfadjoint operators, non-hermitian operators, bilinear operators, time operator for discrete energy spectra, time-energy uncertainty relations, Klein-Gordon equation, chronon, quantum dissipation, decoherence, nuclear optical model, cosmology, projective relativity.