We examine a deformed quantum mechanics in which the commutator between coordinates and momenta is a function of momenta. The Jacobi identity constraint on a two-parameter class of such modified commutation relations (MCRs) shows that they encode an
intrinsic maximum momentum; a sub-class of which also imply a minimum position uncertainty. Maximum momentum causes the bound state spectrum of the one-dimensional harmonic oscillator to terminate at finite energy, whereby classical characteristics are observed for the studied cases. We then use a semi-classical analysis to discuss general concave potentials in one dimension and isotropic power-law potentials in higher dimensions. Among other conclusions, we find that in a subset of the studied MCRs, the leading order energy shifts of bound states are of opposite sign compared to those obtained using string-theory motivated MCRs, and thus these two cases are more easily distinguishable in potential experiments.
We review an information-theoretic approach to quantum cosmology, summarising the key results obtained to date, including a suggestion that an accelerating universe will eventually turn around.
We perform a minisuperspace analysis of an information-theoretic nonlinear Wheeler-deWitt (WDW) equation for de Sitter universes. The nonlinear WDW equation, which is in the form of a difference-differential equation, is transformed into a pure diffe
rence equation for the probability density by using the current conservation constraint. In the present study we observe some new features not seen in our previous approximate investigation, such as a nonzero minimum and maximum allowable size to the quantum universe: An examination of the effective classical dynamics supports the interpretation of a bouncing universe. The studied model suggests implications for the early universe, and plausibly also for the future of an ongoing accelerating phase of the universe.
Nonlinear corrections are proposed to the discrete equispaced area spectrum of quantum black holes obtained previously in some quantisation schemes. It is speculated that such a modified spectrum might be related to the fine structure found using the loop quantum gravity approach.
We construct nonlinear extensions of Diracs relativistic electron equation that preserve its other desirable properties such as locality, separability, conservation of probability and Poincare invariance. We determine the constraints that the nonline
ar term must obey and classify the resultant non-polynomial nonlinearities in a double expansion in the degree of nonlinearity and number of derivatives. We give explicit examples of such nonlinear equations, studying their discrete symmetries and other properties. Motivated by some previously suggested applications we then consider nonlinear terms that simultaneously violate Lorentz covariance and again study various explicit examples. We contrast our equations and construction procedure with others in the literature and also show that our equations are not gauge equivalent to the linear Dirac equation. Finally we outline various physical applications for these equations.
We update our understanding of nonlinear Schrodinger equations motivated through information theory. In particular we show that a $q-$deformation of the basic nonlinear equation leads to a perturbative increase in the energy of a system, thus favouri
ng the simplest $q=1$ case. Furthermore the energy minimisation criterion is shown to be equivalent, at leading order, to an uncertainty maximisation argument. The special value $eta =1/4$ for the interpolation parameter, where leading order energy shifts vanish, implies the preservation of existing supersymmetry in nonlinearised supersymmetric quantum mechanics. Physically, $eta$ might be encoding relativistic effects.
We extend our previous study on the effects of an information-theoretically motivated nonlinear correction to the Wheeler-deWitt equation in the minisuperspace scheme for FRW universes. Firstly we show that even when the geometry is hyperbolic, and m
atter given by a cosmological constant, the nonlinearity can still provide a barrier to screen the initial singularity, just as in the case for flat universes. Secondly, in the flat case we show that singularity avoidance in the presence of a free massless scalar field is perturbatively possible for a very large class of initially unperturbed quantum states, generalising our previous discussion using Gaussian states.
We study the effects of an information-theoretically motivated nonlinear correction to the Wheeler-deWitt equation in the minisuperspace scheme for flat, $k=0$, Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) universes. When the only matter is a cosmological consta
nt, the nonlinearity can provide a barrier that screens the original Big Bang, leading to the quantum creation of a universe through tunneling just as in the $k=1$ case. When the matter is instead a free massless scalar field, the nonlinearity can again prevent a contracting classical universe from reaching zero size by creating a bounce. Our studies here are self-consistent to leading order in perturbation theory for the nonlinear effects.
A nonlinear Schrodinger equation, that had been obtained within the context of the maximum uncertainty principle, has the form of a difference-differential equation and exhibits some interesting properties. Here we discuss that equation in the regime
where the nonlinearity length scale is large compared to the deBroglie wavelength; just as in the perturbative regime, the equation again displays some universality. We also briefly discuss stationary solutions to a naturally induced discretisation of that equation.
