Real world process that results in reciprocal wavefunction

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of processes or reactions that can produce a particle with a reciprocal wave function of an input particle, as well as the transfer of wavenumber and angular frequency between particles. The scope includes theoretical considerations and potential applications in quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether a process exists that can yield a reciprocal wave function, with one suggesting that such an output may not be normalizable.
  • Another participant proposes a matrix operation that could theoretically produce reciprocal wave functions, though they express uncertainty about its meaningfulness.
  • One participant discusses the implications of operations like conjugation and their failure to meet certain criteria, such as being unitary or linear.
  • There is mention of the SWAP gate in quantum computing as a potential method for transferring properties between particles, though its implementation is questioned regarding ease.
  • Participants explore the idea of applying separate operations to negate wavenumber and angular frequency, suggesting that direction and rotation could be altered independently.
  • A later reply clarifies that the discussion may involve permuting basis states rather than manipulating individual amplitudes directly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence of operations that can achieve the desired transformations, with no consensus reached on the feasibility of such processes.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity on the definitions of reciprocal wave functions and the conditions under which proposed operations might be valid. The discussion also highlights unresolved mathematical aspects related to the operations mentioned.

NotASmurf
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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.
 
Last edited:
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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.
 
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}##
 
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.
 
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?
 
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.
 

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