CPT symmetry analogue of free electron laser?

In summary, the CPT analogue of a free electron laser does not support the possibility of retrocausality, as it violates fundamental principles of quantum mechanics and is not physically meaningful.
  • #1
jarekd
111
2
Quantum unitary evolution is time symmetric, what leads to retrocausality phenomenas like delayed choice quantum erasure or Wheeler's experiment.
However we understand why they don't allow to send information back in time - I would like to ask for help with understanding why another experiment also does not allow for that:

As physics we use in all scales is time or CPT symmetric Lagrangian mechanics like QFT, let us imagine CPT analogue of laser (lasar: stimulating absorption instead of excitation), like the conceptually simplest free electron laser (FEL):

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12405967/freeelectron.jpg

In standard FEL we use magnetic field to enforce electrons to travel in sinus-like pattern, what stimulates photon emission due to synchrotron radiation. These photons are later absorbed by the target, exciting it.
Let us now imagine CPT analogue of this situation: excited target deexcitates - producing photons finally absorbed by positron moving in opposite direction ... but the situation is stimulated by the sinus-like trajectory - we get stimulated absorption setting instead of standard stimulated emission.

So imagine we constantly excite the target (e.g. a sodium lamp), surround it with detectors - we should observe energy conservation.
Now if there is a small hole in detectors to the FEL in stimulated absorption setting (oppositely directed) and set to the same frequency as the excitement (it is rather not fulfilled in standard settings) - shouldn't turning it on change the lamp-detectors energy balance?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2


First of all, it's important to note that the concept of retrocausality is still a topic of debate and is not widely accepted in the scientific community. While there have been some experiments that suggest the possibility of retrocausality, the results are not conclusive and require further investigation.

Now, regarding your question about the CPT analogue of a free electron laser, it is important to understand that the CPT symmetry is a fundamental principle in quantum field theory and it ensures that physical laws remain unchanged under a combination of charge conjugation (C), parity transformation (P), and time reversal (T). This symmetry is essential for the consistency and predictability of physical phenomena.

In the case of a CPT analogue of a free electron laser, the scenario you describe is not possible because it violates the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. In quantum mechanics, the state of a system is described by a wave function, and the evolution of this wave function is governed by the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. This equation is time symmetric, meaning that the evolution of the wave function is independent of the direction of time. Therefore, it is not possible for a process to be stimulated by a future event.

Additionally, the concept of stimulated absorption in this scenario is not physically meaningful. In a standard free electron laser, the emission of photons is stimulated by the presence of a magnetic field, not by the trajectory of the electrons. In the CPT analogue, the presence of a positron traveling in the opposite direction would not stimulate the absorption of photons in the target.

In conclusion, the CPT analogue of a free electron laser does not allow for retrocausal effects, as it violates fundamental principles of quantum mechanics and is not physically meaningful. The concept of retrocausality is still a topic of ongoing research and debate in the scientific community, and further experiments and investigations are needed to fully understand its implications.
 

Related to CPT symmetry analogue of free electron laser?

1. What is CPT symmetry analogue of free electron laser?

The CPT symmetry analogue of free electron laser is a theoretical concept proposed by physicists to describe a hypothetical type of laser that would use antiparticles instead of particles to create coherent light. It is based on the principles of CPT symmetry, which states that the laws of physics should be the same when particles are replaced with their antiparticles, time is reversed, and space is inverted.

2. How does CPT symmetry analogue of free electron laser work?

The CPT symmetry analogue of free electron laser would work similarly to a traditional free electron laser, but instead of using electrons, it would use antielectrons (positrons) to generate a beam of coherent light. The positrons would be accelerated to high energies and then passed through a series of undulators, which are periodic magnetic structures that cause the particles to emit photons in a specific direction. These photons would then be amplified through stimulated emission, resulting in a powerful beam of coherent light.

3. What are the potential applications of CPT symmetry analogue of free electron laser?

The potential applications of CPT symmetry analogue of free electron laser are still being explored, but some potential uses include high-power laser cutting, advanced medical imaging, and particle acceleration for scientific research. It could also have implications for quantum computing and communication.

4. Is a CPT symmetry analogue of free electron laser possible to create?

While the concept of a CPT symmetry analogue of free electron laser is theoretically possible, there are currently no known methods for creating such a device. One major challenge is producing and controlling a beam of antiparticles with enough energy to generate coherent light. However, with advancements in technology and particle physics research, it may become possible in the future.

5. How does CPT symmetry relate to other fundamental symmetries in physics?

CPT symmetry is considered one of the fundamental symmetries in physics, along with charge conjugation (C), parity (P), and time reversal (T). When combined, these symmetries form the CPT operator, which dictates that the laws of physics should be the same when particles are replaced with their antiparticles, space is inverted, and time is reversed. This symmetry is considered important in understanding the fundamental nature of the universe and has been tested in various experiments, including those involving particle accelerators.

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
842
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
1K
Replies
18
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
21
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
2
Views
299
Replies
9
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
7
Views
1K
Back
Top