The quantum Newton's bucket: Active and passive rotations in quantum theory

Abstract

Motivated both by classical physics problems associated with ``Newton's bucket'' and recent developments related to QCD in rotating frames of reference relevant to heavy ion collisions, we discuss the difference between ``active'' and ``passive'' rotations in quantum systems. We examine some relevant potentials and give general symmetry arguments to give criteria where such rotations give the same results. We close with a discussion of how this can be translated to quantum field theory.

Comments: Accepted for publication, Modern Physics Letters A (MPLA). Discussion improved and references added