Brazilian Journal of Physics

, Volume 46, Issue 4, pp 462–470 | Cite as

Instantaneous Spreading Versus Space Localization for Nonrelativistic Quantum Systems

Condensed Matter
First Online:
Received:

Abstract

A theorem of Hegerfeldt (Kielanowski et al. 1998) establishes, for a class of quantum systems, a dichotomy between those which are permanently localized in a bounded region of space, and those exhibiting instantaneous spreading. We analyze in some detail the physical inconsistencies which follow from both of these options, and formulate which, in our view, are the basic open problems.

Keywords

Instantaneous spreading Space localization Einstein causality Nonrelativistic limit 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

The idea of a part of this review arose at the meeting of operator algebras and quantum physics, satellite conference to the XVIII international congress of mathematical physics. We thank the organizers for making the participation of one of us (W. F. W.) possible, and Prof. J. Dimock for discussions there on matters related to Section 3. We also thank Christian Jäkel for critical remarks concerning possible changes of viewpoint, and for recalling some relevant references. W.F.W. also thanks J. Froehlich for calling his attention to the reference [40].

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Copyright information

© Sociedade Brasileira de Física 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.School of MedicineUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
  2. 2.LIM 01 - HCFMUSPSão PauloBrazil
  3. 3.Instituto de Fisica USPSão PauloBrazil

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