It is shown that such phenomena as quantum correlations (interaction of space-separated quantum entities), the action of magnetic vector potential on quantum entities in the absence of magnetic field, and near-field antenna effect (the existence of superluminally propagating electromagnetic fields) may be explained by action of spin supercurrents. In case of quantum correlations between quantum entities, spin supercurrent emerges between virtual particles pairs (virtual photons) created by those quantum entities. The explanation of magnetic vector potential and near-field antenna effect is based on contemporary principle of quantum mechanics: the physical vacuum is not an empty space but the ground state of the field consisting of quantum harmonic oscillators (QHOs) characterized by zero-point energy. Using the properties of the oscillators and spin supercurrent, it is proved that magnetic vector potential is proportional to the moment causing the orientation of spin of QHO along the direction of magnetic field. The near-field antenna effect is supposed to take place as a result of action of spin supercurrent causing secondary electromagnetic oscillations. In this way, the electromagnetic field may spread at the speed of spin supercurrent. As spin supercurrent is an inertia free process, its speed may be greater than that of light, which does not contradict postulates of special relativity that sets limits to the speed of inertial systems only.
The following phenomena are discussed in this work: 1) quantum correlations―mutual dependence of characteristics of wave function of so-called entangled quantum entities while there is space separation; 2) a change in characteristics of wave function of quantum entities while they are passing in the region of non-zero magnetic vector potential (magnetic field may be absent); 3) the near-field antenna effect―the existence near antenna (an oscillating electric dipole) of superluminally propagating electromagnetic field. The common property of the phenomena is the following: they are not described by action of well-known physical fields: electric, magnetic, gravitational. For description of these phenomena, the mathematical apparatus of quantum mechanics is used: Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, Schrödinger equation for wave function of quantum entities [
Let us consider these phenomena in detail.
Quantum correlations belong to the category of phenomena that are collectively called “quantum non-locality” [
Entity a is directed, depending on the position (1 or 2) of switch P, either towards detector A1 or detector A2 (these detectors have different characteristics); entity b is directed towards detector В. According to postulates of quantum mechanics, the wave properties of entity b being detected will depend on that which detector detects a. In the early years of studies of quantum correlations, it was supposed that these correlations take place only between “entangled” quantum entities emitted by one source and described by a single wave function [
It should be noted that Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen with reference to the measurement problem of entangled quantum entities wrote [
Field-free magnetic vector potential. In classical electrodynamics, the magnetic field of induction B is determined [
In quantum mechanics, the description of action of the field-free magnetic vector potential is based on Schrödinger’s equation [
Near-field antenna effect. There is experimental evidence of existence near antenna (an oscillating electric dipole) of superluminally propagating electromagnetic field [
This work suggests essentially a new approach to description of the above-considered phenomena: namely it is shown that it is possible to describe these phenomena in terms of such physical process as spin supercurrent. The spin supercurrent emerges between objects having spin, and its action tends to make equal the respective characteristics of precession of spins of interacting objects. (Note that Yuri Bunkov, Vladimir Dmitriev and Igor Fomin were awarded the Fritz London Memorial Prize in 2008 for the studies of spin supercurrents in superfluid 3Не-B [
In quantum field theory, the physical vacuum, free from magnetic and electric fields (without regard to gravitational energy), is defined not as an empty space but as the ground state of the field consisting of quantum harmonic oscillators (called QHOs from now on) characterized by zero-point energy [
It is proved in this work that the properties of quantum correlations, the action of magnetic vector potential on quantum entities, and near-field antenna effect are determined by the properties of spin supercurrent arising between virtual photons created by quantum entities participating in these phenomena and of spin supercurrents emerging between virtual photons created by the quantum entities, on the one hand, and QHOs that constitute the physical vacuum, on the other hand.
The findings of this work can be used, for example, for optimization of channels intended for performing quantum correlations between quantum entities owing to increasing the number of characteristics by which the correlation of the quantum entities is effected.
The paper below consists of the following sections. Section 2 (titled as “The Characteristics of Spin Supercurrent”) contains equations describing the conditions of emergence of spin supercurrent and effects of the latter, energy properties of the current and features of its propagation (the speed, the impossibility of shielding by electromagnetic screens). Section 3 (titled as “The Properties of QHOs”) contains the description of such characteristics of QHO as the electric dipole moment, mass, precessing spin and connection of QHO speed with magnetic phenomena. Section 4 (titled as “Results”) provides explanations of phenomena of quantum correlations, the action of magnetic vector potential on quantum entities, and near-field antenna effect as based on both the properties of spin supercurrent and those of the physical vacuum consisting of QHOs.
Below are specified the main variables used in this paper.
The characteristics of spin supercurrent: α 1 and α 2 are angles of precession, θ 1 and θ 2 are angles of deflection, ω 1 and ω 2 are frequencies of precession of spins, J z is spin supercurrent.
The characteristics of QHO: S Q H O is spin, m Q H O is mass, Ω Q H O is precession frequency, d Q H O is electric dipole moment, u is velocity of QHO, A is magnetic vector potential, E Q H O is electric field inside the QHO, M Q H O is the moment causing precession of spin S Q H O .
1) The spin supercurrent arises between objects with precessing spins (spin structures) [
2) The spin supercurrent tends to equalize the respective characteristics of spins of interacting spin structures: angles (phases) of precession and angles of deflection. For example, the value of spin supercurrent J z in the direction of orientation (axis z in
J z = g 1 ( a 1 − α 2 ) + g 2 ( θ 1 − θ 2 ) , (1)
where g 1 and g 2 are coefficients depending on deflection angles and the properties of the medium where spin supercurrent emerges. Let us assume that before the action of spin supercurrent the angles of precession α 1 and α 2 are determined as α 1 = ω 1 t + α 01 and α 2 = ω 2 t + α 02 , where α 01 and α 02 are the values of angles of precession respectively α 1 and α 2 at t=0. If α 01 = α 02 = 0 , then
α 1 = ω 1 t , (2)
α 2 = ω 2 t . (3)
As a result of the action of spin supercurrent at arbitrary moment t, according to definition of this current, the following holds: | θ 1 − θ 2 | > | θ ′ 1 − θ ′ 2 | and:
| α 1 − α 2 | > | α ′ 1 − α ′ 2 | , (4)
where: θ ′ 1 and θ ′ 2 are respectively the values of deflection angles θ 1 and θ 2 of precessing spins of interacting spin structures after the action of spin supercurrent; α ′ 1 and α ′ 2 are respectively the values of precession angles α 1 and α 2 of precessing spins of interacting spin structures after the action of spin supercurrent. As a result of changes in precession angles, the change in frequencies ω 1 and ω 1 of interacting spin structures may also take place:
| ω 1 − ω 2 | > | ω ′ 1 − ω ′ 2 | , (5)
where ω ′ 1 and ω ′ 2 are the values of spin structures precession frequencies ω 1 and ω 1 after the action of spin supercurrent.
3) At a definite nonzero difference in the values of angles of precession
Δ α c = α 1 − α 2 ≠ 0 , (6)
a phase slippage, that is, the drop in the value and change in the sign of spin supercurrent may take place. In this case, Equation (1) does not hold. Consequently, as follows from Equations (2)-(3) and (6), for the effective equalization of respective characteristics of interacting spin structures the following is necessary: 1) a definite mutual orientation of precession frequencies of the interacting spin structures; 2) the absence of phase slippage, in particular, this takes place if the difference between their precession frequencies, ω 1 − ω 2 , satisfy the following condition:
Δ ω → 0 . (7)
4) The effectivity of action of spin supercurrent between spin structures does not depend on the distance between them. For example, the action of spin supercurrent in superfluid 3He-B is limited only by the volume of superfluid.
5) Spin supercurrent is not an electric or magnetic process and consequently it is not shielded by electromagnetic screens.
6) The changes in the precession and deflection angles of precessing spins of interacting spin structures due to the action of spin supercurrent may be considered as spin orientation transfer in the physical vacuum. Through the example of photon it may be shown that the spin orientation transfer in the physical vacuum is a dissipation-free process.
According to [
W p r e c = ℏ ω p h . (8)
Energy U p h of photon must be the sum of two components: energy W p r e c of precession motion of spin and energy W S of spin orientation transfer in space. From experiments [
W S = 0 . (9)
Due to spreading of spin supercurrent without dissipation, the energies of interacting spin structures as a result of action of this current change by the same value. As, according to Equation (8), the energy of precessing spin is proportional to the frequency of precession, then from condition (5) it follows that ω 1 − ω ′ 1 = − ( ω 2 − ω ′ 2 ) or:
Δ ω 1 = − Δ ω 2 , (10)
where Δ ω 1 = ω 1 − ω ′ 1 and Δ ω 2 = ω 2 − ω ′ 2 . Then according to Equations (2)-(4), α 1 − α ′ 1 = − ( α 2 − α ′ 2 ) or:
Δ α 1 = − Δ α 2 , (11)
where Δ α 1 = α 1 − α ′ 1 and Δ α 2 = α 2 − α ′ 2 .
7) As energy is intrinsically associated with mass, then, according to Equation (9), spin supercurrent performing spin orientation transfer is not accompanied by emergence of any mass, that is, it is an inertia free process and consequently the speed y s s of spin supercurrent may be greater than the speed of light:
y s s > c . (12)
This does not contradict the postulates of special relativity which set limits to the speed of inertial systems only [
According to contemporary principle of quantum mechanics, the physical vacuum is defined not as an empty space but as the ground state of the field consisting of QHOs characterized by zero-point energy. Let us consider the properties of QHO in detail (see also [
1) The energy of QHO is equal to ℏ Ω Q H O / 2 , the energy is referred to as zero-point energy. This expression for energy of QHO coincides with the expression for energy of object having angular momentum ℏ and performing oscillations with frequency Ω Q H O [
2) The QHO has mass m Q H O associated with the energy of QHO.
3) The existence of electric polarization of physical vacuum [
4) There are some phenomena which testify that QHOs constituting the physical vacuum must have precessing spin for example: 1) the Cherenkov effect [
That is, it may be supposed that QHO has spin S Q H O and the frequency of oscillations Ω Q H O is the precession frequency of S Q H O . That is, QHO as well as a virtual photon is a spin vortex.
5) Since QHO is a spin vortex, then for it as well as for analogous characteristics (spin, electric dipole moment, the precession frequency of spin, the deflection angle) of other spin vortices (photon, virtual photon)) the following takes place [
d Q H O ↑ ↓ S Q H O . (13)
As electric field E Q H O inside the electric dipole is antiparallel to its electric dipole moment, i.e. E Q H O ↑ ↓ d Q H O [
E Q H O ↑ ↑ S Q H O . (14)
Ω Q H O ∥ u , (15)
where u is the speed of QHO,
sin θ = u / c , (16)
where θ is the angle between S Q H O and Ω Q H O (angle of deflection), c is the speed of light.
6) That QHO has an electric dipole moment means that there is a repulsive force inside the QHO balancing the attractive Coulomb force between oppositely charged parts inside the QHO. The existence of such repulsive force may be treated as the existence of omniradial tensions inside the QHO.
7) It is shown in [
ρ u 2 / 2 − p = c o n s t . (17)
Let us deduce the relationship between the speed of QHOs and magnetic induction by comparing the characteristics of the magnetic field and both force and kinematic characteristics of the medium described by Equation (17) [
The magnetic induction B generated by a loop with current I [
B = I c ∫ L ′ d l × r r 3 , where L ′ is the length of the loop, d l is the wire element, r is
a radius vector from d l to the point of observation. The field of velocities u generated by a closed vortex line having circulation Γ along an arbitrary loop
enclosing the vortex line is defined [
infinitesimal vector element of the vortex line, L ′ is the length of the line. Equating the expressions for B and u, we obtain the relationship between Γ and I:
Γ = I 4 π / ( c ρ ) . (18)
Note. As shown in [
The force F Γ acting on a unit length of either of the two infinite mutually parallel vortex lines having the same values of circulation Γ equals: F Γ = ρ Γ 2 / ( 2 π r w ) , where r w is the distance between the vortex lines with circulation Γ [
B = u 4 π ρ . (19)
Thus the motion of physical vacuum consisting of QHOs characterized by zero-point energy is a cause of magnetic phenomena.
The QHO characteristics considered in this section are given in
Let us prove that the properties of quantum correlations considered in Introduction are in accordance with the properties of spin supercurrent (see also the study by L. Boldyreva [
1) The quantum correlation takes place between quantum entities having equal frequencies of their wave functions. As follows from [
ω q = ω v . (20)
Consequently, the first property of quantum correlation is in accordance with condition (7) of effective action of spin supercurrent: the equality of the precession frequencies of interacting spin structures.
2) The quantum correlation between photons takes place at definite mutual polarization ( E p h ) of photons. Due to transverse orientation of photon spin S p h ( S p h ⊥ c ) it holds that S p h ↑ ↑ E p h . Thus the quantum correlation between photons takes place at definite mutual orientation of spins of photons. If to take into account that photon’s frequency ω p h is oriented along c, ω p h ↑ ↑ с , then S p h ⊥ ω p h . Consequently, quantum correlation takes place at definite mutual orientation of photons’ frequencies. This property is in accordance with the definition of spin supercurrent, see Equation (1), according to which the orientation of spin supercurrent relates to the orientation of the precession frequencies of spins of interacting spin structures.
3) The quantum correlations take place independent of the distance between the interacting quantum entities. This property agrees with property 4 of spin supercurrent.
4) The quantum correlations have non-electric and non-magnetic nature [
5) The speed of quantum correlations is greater than the speed of light. As it follows from experiments [
6) The relation between the changes in phases and frequencies of waves in the two-photon interference, associated with quantum correlations, is analogous to the changes in phases (angles of precession) and frequencies of spin precession in spin structures under action of spin supercurrent.
Fields γ 1 and γ 2 of frequency ω γ and also fields ξ 1 and ξ 2 of frequency ω ξ are mixed by respective beam splitters. The detectors and coincidence circuit measure the correlation of intensities of output fields γ and ξ , the correlation being dependent on phase delays ϑ 1 and ϑ 2 .
Depending on the statistics of incident beams of light, two types of interference may take place: one with phase ϑ 1 − ϑ 2 , the other with phase ϑ 1 + ϑ 2 . The first interference is referred to as the Hanbury Brown and Twiss intensity interference, the second one is called the two-photon interference. Under definite conditions, both types of interference are a result of conversion by beam splitters of fluctuations of phases of input fields into fluctuations of intensities of output fields [
x 1 = z 1 , x 2 = z 2 . (21)
The second condition is as follows:
x 1 + z 1 = x 2 + z 2 , (22)
that is, fluctuations of light beam phases occur in such a way that the sum of the phases remains constant.
Equalities (21) can be called the conditions of “classical” correlation; it may be associated with thermal fluctuations; condition (22) is a condition of anticorrelation of phases which is a quantum phenomenon (related with quantum correlations [
Δ x = − Δ z . (23)
Equality (23) is similar to Equation (11) describing the property of spin supercurrent (property 6 of spin supercurrent).
The frequencies of beams in the experiment on the two-photon interference as well as the phases drift in opposite directions, which is in accordance with condition (10) of property 6 of spin supercurrent.
Thus all properties of quantum correlations are in accordance with the properties of spin supercurrents.
According to condition (15) and Equation (19), in magnetic field B two types of motion of QHO that constitute physical vacuum take place: the translational motion with velocity u = B / 4 π ρ and precession of the QHO spin with frequency Ω Q H O . The value of Ω Q H O is determined: first, by speed u of QHO and, secondly, by spin supercurrent emerging between the same QHO, on the one hand, and the virtual photons created by charged quantum entities constituting the current which, in turn, creates the magnetic field (or by “magnetic” electrons if the magnetic field is created by a permanent magnet), on the other hand. As spin supercurrent is not shielded by electromagnetic screens, the precession of QHO spin may exist in the physical vacuum under shielding of magnetic field, that is at B = 0 (u = 0).
For the description of magnetic vector potential let us introduce moment M Q H O causing the precession of spin of QHOs that constitute the physical vacuum (see
M Q H O = Ω Q H O × S Q H O . (24)
As c u r l M Q H O ↑ ↑ Ω Q H O , then taking into account Equations (15) and (19) and introducing factor of proportionality b s , we may write: B = c u r l ( b s M Q H O ) . As according to definition of magnetic vector potential A, B = c u r l A , it may be assumed that:
A = b s M Q H O . (25)
Note. Using Equations (16), (19) and (24), magnetic induction B may be expressed as B = M Q H O 4 π ρ ⋅ c / ( Ω Q H O ⋅ S Q H O ) .
Let us return to
As a result of action of spin supercurrent between the virtual photon and QHO located in region δ and according to condition (5), the following takes place:
| ( Ω Q H O ) δ − ( ω v ) v p | ≥ | ( Ω Q H O ) ′ δ − ( ω v ) ′ v p | , (26)
where ( Ω Q H O ) ′ δ and ( ω v ) ′ v p are the values of respectively ( Ω Q H O ) δ and ( ω v ) v p after the action of spin supercurrent. As quantum entities of beams C 1 and C 2 at the output of the source of quantum entities have equal wave function frequencies, ( ω v ) v p , the difference Δ ( ω v ) v p in those frequencies at the input of interferometer according to inequality (26) is determined as: Δ ( ω v ) v p = ( ω v ) ′ v p − ( ω v ) v p . This difference results in appearance of interference rings.
It should be noted that the characteristics of quantum entities placed in the region of action of magnetic vector potential influence the value of the magnetic vector potential in the region. Let us prove it. According to Equation (26), in general the following holds:
( Ω Q H O ) δ ≠ ( Ω Q H O ) ′ δ . (27)
Consequently, according to Equations (24) and (27), at placing of quantum entities in region δ of the physical vacuum the moment causing the precession of spin of QHO in region δ will be changed from ( Ω Q H O ) δ × S Q H O to ( Ω Q H O ) ′ δ × S Q H O . Thus according to Equation (27) a problem of measurement of magnetic vector potential arises, because the measurement system may influence the value of the magnetic vector potential.
The explanation of near-field antenna effect as well as of magnetic vector potential effect is based on the properties of the physical vacuum consisting of QHOs characterized by zero-point energy.
The antenna generating electromagnetic oscillations is an oscillating electric dipole [
∂ ( d Q H O ) a ∂ t ≠ 0 . (28)
As according to condition (13) ( d Q H O ) a ↑ ↓ ( S Q H O ) a , the following takes place in the physical vacuum consisting of QHOs:
∂ ( S Q H O ) a ∂ t ≠ 0 , (29)
where ( S Q H O ) a is spin of QHO located near antenna. The change in ( S Q H O ) a means a change in precession and deflection angles of the precessing spins of QHOs located near antenna. According to Equation (1), spin supercurrent J emerges between QHOs located near antenna, on the one hand, and QHOs located in other regions of physical vacuum, on the other hand. As a result of action of spin supercurrent, the characteristics of spin ( S Q H O ) p h y s . v a c . of QHOs located in other regions of physical vacuum change, that is, the following takes place in other regions:
∂ ( S Q H O ) p h y s . v a c . ∂ t ≠ 0 . (30)
According to condition (14), the electric field ( E Q H O ) p h y s . v a c . relates to spin ( S Q H O ) p h y s . v a c . of QHO, and it follows from Equation (30):
∂ ( E Q H O ) p h y s . v a c . ∂ t ≠ 0 . (31)
Thus, according to Equations (1) and (28)-(31), electric oscillations with characteristics of electric oscillations generated by antenna emerge in the physical vacuum. That is, the following transformations take place in the physical vacuum:
∂ ( d Q H O ) a ∂ t ( ∂ ( S Q H O ) a ∂ t ) ≠ 0 ⇒ J ≠ 0 ⇒ ∂ ( S Q H O ) p h y s . v a c . ∂ t ( ∂ ( E Q H O ) p h y s . v a c . ∂ t ) ≠ 0 (32)
These electric oscillations accompany spin supercurrent; consequently, the speed of their spreading in the physical vacuum consisting of QHOs equals the speed of spin supercurrent, which is greater than the speed of light, see Equation (12). It is a little similar to Cherenkov’s radiation [
Note. The researchers of near-field antenna effect discover also the oscillation of gravitational field near antenna [
Due to the action of spin supercurrent in the near antenna region, which equalizes respectively the angles of precession and angles of deflection of precessing spins (Equation (1)), the orientation of QHOs’ spins in the same direction in the antenna region may take place (let us denote the total spin of oriented QHOs’ spins as ( S Q H O ) t o t a l ). According to condition (13), the orientation of total electric dipole moment ( d Q H O ) t o t a l of the QHOs in the region also takes place:
( d Q H O ) t o t a l ↑ ↓ ( S Q H O ) t o t a l . (33)
In an external nonhomogeneous electric field E e , the force F Q H O acts on these QHOs. The force F Q H O is determined [
F Q H O = ( ( d Q H O ) t o t a l ∇ ) E e , (34)
where ∇ is the nabla operator. In particular, if ( S Q H O ) t o t a l directs towards the Earth, then in the negative electric field of the Earth the force F Q H O acts oppositely to the gravitation force. As all quantum entities create virtual photons which are vortices in the physical vacuum consisting of QHOs, the force F Q H O emerging in this vacuum will act on the virtual photons and consequently on the quantum entities creating the virtual photons.
As an example of action of force F Q H O , let us consider the results of experiments on gyroscope’s rotations around the vertical axis relative to the Earth [
Quantum correlations between quantum entities may be performed by spin supercurrent emerging between virtual photons (virtual particles pairs) created by those quantum entities.
Magnetic vector potential is proportional to the moment causing the precession of spin of quantum harmonic oscillators (QHOs), which constitute the physical vacuum and are characterized by zero-point energy; in the region of non-zero magnetic field, the frequency of this precession is oriented along the direction of magnetic field. The spin supercurrent emerging between these QHOs and virtual photons (virtual particles pairs) produced by the quantum entities creating magnetic field affects the frequency of this precession.
The near-field antenna effect takes place as a result of action of spin supercurrent between quantum harmonic oscillators (that constitute the physical vacuum) located near antenna, on the one hand, and quantum harmonic oscillators located in other regions, on the other hand. The spin supercurrent gives rise to oscillations of electric field of quantum harmonic oscillators, the latter being electric dipoles. Thus, electric oscillations may spread at the speed of spin supercurrent in the physical vacuum consisting of quantum harmonic oscillators characterized by zero-point energy. As spin supercurrent is an inertia free process, its speed may be greater than the speed of light, which does not contradict postulates of special relativity that set limits to the speed of inertial systems only.
(It is a little similar to Cherenkov’s radiation: the electron moving at a speed greater than the speed of light in the medium radiates photons. If to observe only radiated photons, we discover that the speed of motion of photons is greater than the speed of light.)
The author is grateful to Mr. Mikhail Boldyrev for his assistance in translating this paper into English.
The author declares no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
Boldyreva, L.B. (2019) Spin Supercurrent in Phenomena of Quantum Non-Locality (Quantum Correlations, Magnetic Vector Potential) and in Near-Field Antenna Effect. Journal of Modern Physics, 10, 128-144. https://doi.org/10.4236/jmp.2019.102010