The Dirac Vacuum in Discrete Spacetime

We consider introducing the Dirac sea in a quantum cellular automata model of fermions in discrete spacetime which approximates the Dirac equation in the continuum limit. However, if we attempt to fill up the `negative' energy states, we run into a problem. A new boundary is created between positive and negative energy states, at which pair creation seems energetically favourable. This happens because of the modular nature of energy in discrete time models. We then suggest a possible remedy by amending the model, in order to pull states away from the new boundary.

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Publication Details

Journal
Quantum
Published
2025-09-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.22331/q-2025-09-03-1845
Primary Topic
Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

The Dirac Vacuum in Discrete Spacetime

Anthony Short, Chaitan P. Gupta
Quantum
Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata
article

The Dirac Vacuum in Discrete Spacetime

Anthony Short, Chaitan P. Gupta
article en

Abstract

We consider introducing the Dirac sea in a quantum cellular automata model of fermions in discrete spacetime which approximates the Dirac equation in the continuum limit. However, if we attempt to fill up the `negative' energy states, we run into a problem. A new boundary is created between positive and negative energy states, at which pair creation seems energetically favourable. This happens because of the modular nature of energy in discrete time models. We then suggest a possible remedy by amending the model, in order to pull states away from the new boundary.

QuantumVol. 9
University of Bristol (GB), Bristol Robotics Laboratory (GB)
Openalex Percentile: Top 75%
Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata
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