Schrödinger group and non-linear generalizations of quantum mechanics

Abstract

Abstract A free particle may be characterized abstractly in terms of its invariance group. Both the Hamilton-Jacobi and Schrödinger equations for classical and quantum free particles are invariant under the same group, the Schrödinger group. The aim of this paper is to discuss possible restrictions on non-linear generalizations of quantum mechanics. The basic idea is to search for those non-linear generalization of quantum mechanics for which a description of the non-relativistic free particle includes a representation of the Schrödinger group, as in classical and quantum mechanics. This condition imposes strong constraints on possible models of free particles. To carry out such an investigation it is necessary to select an appropriate mathematical formalism, one which can describe physical systems of non-relativistic particles and allows for the incorporation of non-linearities in a natural way. Here the formalism of ensembles on configuration space is used, which is an approach that is capable of describing both classical and quantum systems and, in addition, allows for more general theories that describe mixed classical-quantum systems. Modifications of the equations involving derivatives of up to fourth order are considered