Real world process that results in reciprocal wavefunction

In summary: That's a job for a unitary matrix. Or are you talking about basis states that are not orthogonal?In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of easily implemented processes or reactions that result in a particle with a reciprocal wave function or in a particle transferring its wavenumber and angular frequency to another particle. While there may be operations that can manipulate the basis states or amplitudes, they may not necessarily preserve the total squared amplitude and may not be unitary. Quantum computing offers the SWAP gate as a potential solution, but it may not be easily implemented.
  • #1
NotASmurf
150
2
Two Questions from a newbie.

A) Is there a easily implemented process or reaction that results in a particle with reciprocal wave function of input particle?
B) Is there a easily implemented process or reaction that results in a particle A transferring it's wavenumber and angular frequency to particle B?

Any help appreciated.
 
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  • #2
NotASmurf said:
A) Is there a easily implemented process or reaction that results in a particle with reciprocal wave function of input particle?
Do you mean reciprocal as in ##1/x## being the reciprocal of ##x##? In that case, I really suspect the output wavefunction will be normalizable and hence it can be an indication that such process might not exist.
 
  • #3
NotASmurf said:
Two Questions from a newbie.

A) Is there a easily implemented process or reaction that results in a particle with reciprocal wave function of input particle?
B) Is there a easily implemented process or reaction that results in a particle A transferring it's wavenumber and angular frequency to particle B?

Any help appreciated.

I can think of one. Have absolutely no idea if it is meaningful.

if you form the matrix
##\def \sqx{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}}##
##
\begin{bmatrix}
\frac{1}{\psi_1^2} & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0\\
0 & \frac{1}{\psi_2^2} & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0\\
0 & 0 & \frac{1}{\psi_3^2} & 0 & 0 & 0\\
0 & 0 & 0 & \frac{1}{\psi_4^2} & 0 & 0\\
0 & 0 & 0 & 0 &\frac{1}{\psi_5^2} & 0\\
0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & \frac{1}{\psi_6^2}
\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}
\psi_1\\
\psi_2\\
\psi_3\\
\psi_4\\
\psi_5\\
\psi_6
\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}
\\\frac{1}{\psi_1}\\
\\\frac{1}{\psi_2}\\
\\\frac{1}{\psi_3}\\
\\\frac{1}{\psi_4}\\
\\\frac{1}{\psi_5}\\
\\\frac{1}{\psi_6}
\end{bmatrix}##
 
  • #4
A)

If you mean some operation ##F## such that ##F(\psi) = 1/\psi##, then no. The operation doesn't preserve total squared amplitude. It isn't unitary.

If you mean a conjugation operation ##F## such that ##F(\psi) = \psi^*##, then closer but still no. The operation does preserve total squared amplitude, but it's not linear w.r.t. the amplitudes. It can separate the real and imaginary parts of the amplitudes from each other. It's not unitary. Actually, given this kind of operation, you can build an FTL communication mechanism.

B)

I don't know about "easily implemented", but in quantum computing we have the SWAP gate. It swaps the values of two qubits. Physically, that could mean just literally moving a particle to where another was and vice versa, or some more complicated protocol involving a teleportating through a few CNOT gates, or lots of other things. Quantum information is generally pretty fungible.
 
  • #5
Thanks for replies, so no operation exists to negate both wavenumber and angular frequency? (resulting in reciprocal). Could one still apply 2 operations, one for each, because surely "direction" and "rotation" could be changed one at a time to achieve the goal?
 
  • #6
NotASmurf said:
Thanks for replies, so no operation exists to negate both wavenumber and angular frequency? (resulting in reciprocal). Could one still apply 2 operations, one for each, because surely "direction" and "rotation" could be changed one at a time to achieve the goal?

Oh, you're talking about permuting the basis states not operation on the individual amplitudes.
 

FAQ: Real world process that results in reciprocal wavefunction

1. What is a reciprocal wavefunction?

A reciprocal wavefunction is a mathematical representation of a physical system, commonly used in quantum mechanics. It is the inverse Fourier transform of the wavefunction and contains information about the momentum and position of a particle.

2. How is a reciprocal wavefunction obtained?

A reciprocal wavefunction is obtained by taking the Fourier transform of the wavefunction. This process involves converting the wavefunction from position space to momentum space.

3. What is the significance of the reciprocal wavefunction in quantum mechanics?

The reciprocal wavefunction is significant in quantum mechanics because it provides a way to describe the behavior of particles in terms of their momentum and position. It also plays a crucial role in the calculation of various physical properties of a system.

4. What real-world processes result in a reciprocal wavefunction?

The most common real-world process that results in a reciprocal wavefunction is diffraction. This occurs when waves encounter an obstacle or slit, causing them to spread out and interfere with each other, creating a reciprocal wavefunction pattern.

5. How does the reciprocal wavefunction relate to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle?

The reciprocal wavefunction is closely related to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, which states that it is impossible to know both the position and momentum of a particle with absolute certainty. The reciprocal wavefunction represents the uncertainty in the momentum of a particle, while the wavefunction represents the uncertainty in its position.

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