Ultra-diluted gas transmittance revisited

TL;DR

This paper revisits the optical transmittance of ultra-diluted gases, incorporating quantum effects like wave function spreading, revealing phenomena such as increased transparency and implications for quantum mechanics interpretations.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum-based model of gas transmittance that accounts for wave function non-locality, showing deviations from classical laws and potential applications in space and dark matter research.

Findings

Mass-conserved gas clouds can be more transparent than classical predictions.

Open systems can achieve up to 100% transmittance.

The model impacts interpretations of quantum mechanics.

Abstract

The paper analyzes a model of optical transmittance of ultra-diluted gas, considering gas particles' non-locality and the quantum effect of their wave function spreading derived from solving the Schr\"odinger equation for a free particle. The analysis does not depend on a particular form of the wave function, but it assumes the reality of wave function. Among others, we show conserved mass gas clouds may become significantly more transparent than predicted by classic transmittance laws. This unexpected phenomenon is possible because mass conservation is governed by the sum of probabilities, while the Markov chain's product of probabilities controls the transmittance. Furthermore, we analytically derive the upper limit the closed system transmittance may grow and demonstrate a boundless, open gas cloud transmittance may grow up to 100%. Finally, we show the impact on interpretations of quantum mechanics. The model is naturally applicable in deep space conditions, where the environment is sparse. Furthermore, the model responds to dark matter requirements.