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On the Quantum Deviations from Einstein Dilation of Unstable Quanton* Decay Evolution and Lifetimes

Fleming, Gordon / N (2011) On the Quantum Deviations from Einstein Dilation of Unstable Quanton* Decay Evolution and Lifetimes. [Preprint]

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Abstract

For over a decade several workers have argued for the existence of quantum
deviations from the classical, Einstein dilation of the decay evolution of moving or Lorentz boosted unstable particles. While the general claim is correct, the discussions have been incomplete and, sometimes, misleading. The discussions have been of three kinds. Type 1 examines the time dependence of the survival probability for 3-momentum eigenstates of the unstable quanton (Khalfin). Type 2 does the same for velocity eigenstates, obtaining an outrageous result which then discredits velocity eigenstates
(Shirokov / Hegerfeldt). Type 3 examines arbitrary boosts of 3-momentum eigenstates (Stefanovich). Type 1 is incomplete since the momentum eigenstates are not the boosts of one another. Type 2 is misleading since the outrageous result is due to misinterpreting the initial conditions of the velocity eigenstates (as I have previously argued). Type 3 is the most satisfactory, but has failed to recognize and implement the unification of all three types of discussion that can be achieved. In this paper I will provide that unified treatment, beginning with a recapitulation of Type 1 and offering further clarification of Type 2 in the process. The unified treatment fully reinstates velocity eigenstates as essential contributors to unstable quanton states. Besides discussing the time evolution of survival probabilities I also focus on the concept of lifetime defined as the average time of decay. This quantity is helpful in order to display the inequivalent dependence of
dilation on momentum and boosts most sharply and the deviation from Einstein dilation most cleanly.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Fleming, Gordon / Ngnf1@earthlink.net
Keywords: quanton decay, lifetime dilation, momentum vs velocity eigenstates, hyperplane dependence
Subjects: General Issues > Laws of Nature
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
General Issues > Theory Change
Depositing User: Gordon N. Fleming
Date Deposited: 28 May 2011 13:05
Last Modified: 28 May 2011 13:05
Item ID: 8627
Subjects: General Issues > Laws of Nature
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
General Issues > Theory Change
Date: 26 May 2011
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8627

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