Reciprocal Symmetry and Classical Discrete Oscillator Incorporating Half-Integral Energy Levels

TL;DR

This paper introduces a symmetrized finite difference approach to classical oscillators, revealing reciprocal solutions with half-integer energy levels, bridging classical and quantum-like behaviors.

Contribution

It presents a novel symmetric difference equation for oscillators that yields solutions with half-integer energy levels, extending classical models.

Findings

Solutions come in reciprocal pairs, one classical-like and one oscillatory.

The oscillatory solutions include half-integer energy contributions.

The approach links classical oscillators to quantum-like energy quantization.

Abstract

Classical oscillator differential equation is replaced by the corresponding (finite time) difference equation. The equation is, then, symmetrized so that it remains invariant under the change d going to -d, where d is the smallest span of time. This symmetric equation has solutions, which come in reciprocally related pairs. One member of a pair agrees with the classical solution and the other is an oscillating solution and does not converge to a limit as d goes to 0. This solution contributes to oscillator energy a term which is a multiple of half-integers.