MATRIX QUANTIZATION OF TURBULENCE

Abstract

Based on our recent work on Quantum Nambu Mechanics [Axenides & Floratos 2009], we provide an explicit quantization of the Lorenz chaotic attractor through the introduction of noncommutative phase space coordinates as Hermitian N × N matrices in R3. For the volume preserving part, they satisfy the commutation relations induced by one of the two Nambu Hamiltonians, the second one generating a unique time evolution. Dissipation is incorporated quantum mechanically in a self-consistent way having the correct classical limit without the introduction of external degrees of freedom. Due to its volume phase space contraction, it violates the quantum commutation relations. We demonstrate that the Heisenberg–Nambu evolution equations for the Matrix Lorenz system develop fast decoherence to N independent Lorenz attractors. On the other hand, there is a weak dissipation regime, where the quantum mechanical properties of the volume preserving nondissipative sector survive for long times.