Entropy (Nov 2022)

The Electromagnetic Vacuum Field as an Essential Hidden Ingredient of the Quantum-Mechanical Ontology

  • Ana Maria Cetto,
  • Luis de la Peña

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/e24121717
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 12
p. 1717

Abstract

Read online

This paper provides elements in support of the random zero-point radiation field (zpf) as an essential ontological ingredient needed to explain distinctive properties of quantum-mechanical systems. We show that when an otherwise classical particle is connected to the zpf, a drastic, qualitative change in the dynamics takes place, leading eventually to the quantum dynamics. In particular, we demonstrate that in parallel with the evolution of the canonical variables of the particle into quantum operators satisfying the basic commutator x^,p^=iℏ, also the field canonical variables are transformed, giving rise to the corresponding creation and annihilation operators a^†,a^, satisfying a^,a^†=1. This allows for an explanation of quantum features such as quantum fluctuations, stationary states and transitions, and establishes a natural contact with (nonrelativistic) quantum electrodynamics.

Keywords