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Derivation of the Schrödinger Equation from Classical Stochastic Dynamics

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Abstract

From classical stochastic equations of motion, we derive the quantum Schrödinger equation. The derivation is carried out by assuming that the real and imaginary parts of the wave function \(\phi\) are proportional to the coordinates and momenta associated with the degrees of freedom of an underlying classical system. The wave function \(\phi\) is assumed to be a complex time-dependent random variable that obeys a stochastic equation of motion that preserves the norm of \(\phi\). The quantum Liouville equation is obtained by considering that the stochastic part of the equation of motion changes the phase of \(\phi\) but not its absolute value. The Schrödinger equation follows from the Liouville equation. The wave function \(\psi\) obeying the Schrödinger equation is related to the stochastic wave function by \(|\psi |^2=\langle |\phi |^2\rangle\).

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Correspondence to Mário J. de Oliveira.

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de Oliveira, M.J. Derivation of the Schrödinger Equation from Classical Stochastic Dynamics. Braz J Phys 54, 52 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13538-024-01416-y

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