English

Time dispersion in bound states

Quantum Physics 2025-04-21 v1

Abstract

In quantum mechanics time is generally treated as a parameter rather than an observable. For instance wave functions are treated as extending in space, but not in time. But from relativity we expect time and space should be treated on the same basis. What are the effects if time is an observable? Are these effects observable with current technology? In earlier work we showed we should see effects in various high energy scattering processes. We here extend that work to include bound states. The critical advantage of working with bound states is that the predictions are significantly more definite, taking the predictions from testable to falsifiable. We estimate the time dispersion for hydrogen as .177.177 attoseconds, possibly below the current threshold for detection. But the time dispersion should scale as the 3/23/2 power of the principle quantum number nn. Rydberg atoms can have nn of order 100100, implying a boost by a factor of 10001000. This takes the the time dispersion to 177177 attoseconds, well within reach of current technology. There are a wide variety of experimental targets: any time-dependent processes should show effects. Falsification will be technically challenging (due to the short time scales) but immediate and unambiguous. Confirmation would have significant implications for attosecond physics, quantum computing and communications, quantum gravity, and the measurement problem. And would suggest practical uses in these areas as well as circuit design, high speed biochemistry, cryptography, fusion research, and any area involving change at attosecond time scales.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2501.17407,
  title  = {Time dispersion in bound states},
  author = {John Ashmead},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2501.17407},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

77 pages, 13 figures, earlier version presented as talk at International Assocation for Relativistic Dynamics 2024 conference at Aalto University, Finland. This version submitted to the associated conference proceedings

R2 v1 2026-06-28T21:23:12.202Z