Quantum mechanics on profinite groups and partial order

Abstract

Inverse limits and profinite groups are used in a quantum mechanical context. Two cases are considered. A quantum system with positions in the profinite group ${\mathbb Z}_p$ and momenta in the group ${\mathbb Q}_p/{\mathbb Z}_p$; and a quantum system with positions in the profinite group ${\hat {\mathbb Z}}$ and momenta in the group ${\mathbb Q}/{\mathbb Z}$. The corresponding Schwatz-Bruhat spaces of wavefunctions and the Heisenberg-Weyl groups are discussed. The sets of subsystems of these systems are studied from the point of view of partial order theory. It is shown that they are directed-complete partial orders. It is also shown that they are topological spaces with $T_0$ topologies, and this is used to define continuity of various physical quantities. The physical meaning of profinite groups, non-Archimedean metrics, partial orders and $T_0$ topologies, in a quantum mechanical context, is discussed.