Classical Phase Space Density for the Relativistic Hydrogen Atom

Abstract

Quantum mechanics is considered to arise from an underlying classical structure (``hidden variable theory'', ``sub-quantum mechanics''), where quantum fluctuations follow from a physical noise mechanism. The stability of the hydrogen ground state can then arise from a balance between Lorentz damping and energy absorption from the noise. Since the damping is weak, the ground state phase space density should predominantly be a function of the conserved quantities, energy and angular momentum. A candidate for this phase space density is constructed for ground state of the relativistic hydrogen problem of a spinless particle. The first excited states and their spherical harmonics are also considered in this framework. The analytic expression of the ground state energy can be reproduced, provided averages of certain products are replaced by products of averages. This analysis puts forward that quantum mechanics may arise from an underlying classical level as a slow variable theory, where each new quantum operator relates to a new, well separated time interval.

15pages AIP tex with 1 Figure

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