Zwitters: particles between quantum and classical

TL;DR

This paper presents a unified framework using phase space probability distributions to describe quantum, classical, and intermediate 'zwitter' particles, enabling analysis of quantum-classical transition and potential deviations from standard quantum mechanics.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of zwitters, particles with interpolated dynamics between quantum and classical, and provides a formalism to test deviations from quantum mechanics experimentally.

Findings

Quantum and classical particles can be described within a single phase space formalism.

Zwitter particles interpolate between quantum and classical behavior.

Experimental tests can measure deviations from standard quantum mechanics.

Abstract

We describe both quantum particles and classical particles in terms of a classical statistical ensemble, characterized by a probability distribution in phase space. By use of a wave function in phase space both can be treated in the same quantum formalism. The different dynamics of quantum and classical particles resides then only from different evolution equations for the probability distribution. Quantum particles are characterized by a specific choice of observables and time evolution of the probability density. All relations for a quantum particle in a potential, including interference and tunneling, can be described in terms of the classical probability distribution. We formulate the concept of zwitters - particles for which the time evolution interpolates between quantum and classical particles. Experiments can test a small parameter which quantifies possible deviations from quantum mechanics.