Elementary Quantum Mechanics in a Space-time Lattice

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a fundamental space-time lattice affects elementary quantum mechanics, specifically the particle in a box, leading to modified eigenvalues and uncertainty relations with corrections proportional to the square of the lattice parameter.

Contribution

It introduces a lattice-based approach to quantum mechanics, deriving modified eigenvalues and eigenfunctions, and analyzes the impact on uncertainty relations, extending previous continuum models.

Findings

Eigenvalues receive corrections of order λ₀².

Eigenfunctions form an orthonormal set on the lattice.

Heisenberg uncertainty relations are modified due to the lattice.

Abstract

Studies of quantum fields and gravity suggest the existence of a minimal length, such as Planck length \cite{Floratos,Kempf}. It is natural to ask how the existence of a minimal length may modify the results in elementary quantum mechanics (QM) problems familiar to us \cite{Gasiorowicz}. In this paper we address a simple problem from elementary non-relativistic quantum mechanics, called "particle in a box", where the usual continuum (1+1)-space-time is supplanted by a space-time lattice. Our lattice consists of a grid of $\lambda_0 \times \tau_0 $ rectangles, where $\lambda_0$, the lattice parameter, is a fundamental length (say Planck length) and, we take $\tau_0$ to be equal to $\lambda_0/c$. The corresponding Schrodinger equation becomes a difference equation, the solution of which yields the $q$-eigenfunctions and $q$-eigenvalues of the energy operator as a function of $\lambda_0 $. The $q$-eigenfunctions form an orthonormal set and both $q$-eigenfunctions and $q$-eigenvalues reduce to continuum solutions as $ \lambda_0 \rightarrow 0 .$ The corrections to eigenvalues because of the assumed lattice is shown to be $O(\lambda_0^2).$ We then compute the uncertainties in position and momentum, $\Delta x, \Delta p$ for the box problem and study the consequent modification of Heisenberg uncertainty relation due to the assumption of space-time lattice, in contrast to modifications suggested by other investigations such as \cite{Floratos}.