Cai-Dong Xiong

How to introduce time operator

Time operator can be introduced by three different approaches: by pertaining it to dynamical variables; by quantizing the classical expression of time; and taken as the restriction of energy shift generator to the Hilbert space of a physical system.

Alternative perspective on photonic tunneling

A relativistic quantum-mechanical description of guided waves is given, based on which we present an alternative way to describe and interpret the propagation of electromagnetic wave packets through an undersized waveguide. In particular, we show that the superluminal phenomenon of evanescent modes is actually a known conclusion in quantum field theory, and it preserves a quantum-mechanical causality.

Intensity noise of erbium-doped fiber laser based on full quantum theory

Traditionally, by means of full quantum theory, we present the intensity noise transfer function of an Er-doped fiber laser, on the basis of which we analyze the spectrum of the intensity noise. Our theoretical results are in agreement with the existing experiment results. This model explains not only how the noise is produced, but also how the spontaneous emission and dipole fluctuations have an effect on the output noise, which cannot be explained via rate equation theory. We analyze the physical sources of various contributions to the noise spectrum as well. The simulation results show that the noise of the Er-doped fiber laser mainly consists of the vacuum noise resulting from the output coupling, dipole fluctuation noise, the pump source intensity noise, and the spontaneous emission from the upper level to the ground level, which provides the theoretical basis for noise suppression. Compared to the solid laser, the Er-doped fiber laser shows lower resonant relaxation oscillation frequency.

Photon wave function and Zitterbewegung

In terms of a photon wave function corresponding to the

Relativistic free-motion time-of-arrival

(1,0)+(0,1)

Time in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory

representation of the Lorentz group, the radiation and Coulomb fields within a source-free region can be described unitedly by a Lorentz-covariant Dirac-like equation. In our formalism, the relation between the positive- and negative-energy solutions of the Dirac-like equation corresponds to the duality between the electric and magnetic fields, rather than to the usual particle-antiparticle symmetry. The Zitterbewegung (ZB) of photons is studied via the momentum vector of the electromagnetic field, which shows that only in the presence of virtual longitudinal and scalar photons, the ZB motion of photons can occur, and its vector property is described by the polarization vectors of the electromagnetic field.

Theoretical evidence for the superluminality of evanescent modes

Relativistic free-motion time-of-arrival theory for massive spin-1/2 particles is systematically developed. Contrary to the nonrelativistic time-of-arrival operator studied thoroughly in the previous literatures, the relativistic time-of-arrival operator possesses self-adjoint extensions because of the particle–antiparticle symmetry. The nonrelativistic limit of our theory is in agreement with the nonrelativistic time-of-arrival theory.Relativistic free-motion time-of-arrival theory for massive spin-1/2 particles is systematically developed. Contrary to the nonrelativistic time-of-arrival operator studied thoroughly in previous literatures, the relativistic time-of-arrival operator possesses self-adjoint extensions because of the particle-antiparticle symmetry. The nonrelativistic limit of our theory is in agreement with the nonrelativistic time-of-arrival theory.

Comment on "Uncertainty relation for photons".

W Pauli pointed out that the existence of a self-adjoint time operator is incompatible with the semi-bounded character of the Hamiltonian spectrum. As a result, there has been much argument about the time–energy uncertainty relation and other related issues. In this paper, we show a way to overcome Paulis argument. In order to define a time operator, by treating time and space on an equal footing and extending the usual Hamiltonian Ĥ to the generalized Hamiltonian Ĥμ (with Ĥ0 = Ĥ), we reconstruct the analytical mechanics and the corresponding quantum (field) theories, which are equivalent to the traditional ones. The generalized Schrodinger equation i∂μψ = Ĥμψ and Heisenberg equation d/dxμ = ∂μ + i[Ĥμ, ] are obtained, from which we have: (1) t is to Ĥ0 as xj is to Ĥj (j = 1, 2, 3); likewise, t is to i∂0 as xj is to i∂j; (2) the proposed time operator is canonically conjugate to i∂0 rather than to Ĥ0, therefore Paulis theorem no longer applies; (3) two types of uncertainty relations, the usual ΔxμΔpμ ≥ 1/2 and the Mandelstam–Tamm treatment ΔxμΔHμ ≥ 1/2, have been formulated.

Another derivation of Weinberg's formula

Though both theoretical and experimental investigations have revealed the superluminal behavior of evanescent electromagnetic waves, there are many disputes about the physical meaning and validity of such superluminal phenomenon, which is due to the fact that the traditional investigations are based on the theory of tunneling time, and concerned with the problem of what the group velocity of evanescent waves means. In this paper, by studying the quantum probability amplitude for photons to propagate over a spacelike interval along an undersized waveguide, we present theoretical evidence for such superluminality.

The effect of gravitational spin-orbit coupling on the circular photon orbit in the Schwarzschild geometry

In a recent interesting Letter [Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 140401 (2012)] I. Bialynicki-Birula and his coauthor have derived the uncertainty relation for the photons in three dimensions. However, some of their arguments are problematical, and this impacts their conclusion.