Modern Physics Letters A

This paper addresses issues surrounding the concept of fractional quantum mechanics, related to lights propagation in inhomogeneous nonlinear media, specifically restricted to a so-called gravitational optics. Besides Schrödinger–Newton equation, we have also concerned with linear and nonlinear Airy beam accelerations in flat and curved spaces and fractal photonics, related to nonlinear Schrödinger equation, where impact of the fractional Laplacian is discussed. Another important feature of the gravitational optics’ implementation is its geometry with the paraxial approximation, when quantum mechanics, in particular, fractional quantum mechanics, is an effective description of optical effects. In this case, fractional-time differentiation reflexes this geometry effect as well.

We review and extend some results for the fractional Schrödinger equation by considering nonlocal terms or potential given in terms of delta functions. For each case, we have obtained the solution in terms of the Green function approach.

This paper presents an overview over several examples, where the comb-like geometric constraints lead to emergence of the time-fractional Schrödinger equation. Motion of a quantum object on a comb structure is modeled by a suitable modification of the kinetic energy operator, obtained by insertion of the Dirac delta function in the Laplacian. First, we consider motion of a free particle on two- and three-dimensional comb structures, and then we extend the study to the interacting cases. A general form of a nonlocal term, which describes the interactions of the particle with the medium, is included in the Hamiltonian, and later on, the cases of constant and Dirac delta potentials are analyzed. At the end, we discuss the case of non-integer dimensions, considering separately the case of fractal dimension between one and two, and the case of fractal dimension between two and three. All these examples show that even though we are starting with the standard time-dependent Schrödinger equation on a comb, the time-fractional equation for the Green’s functions appears, due to these specific geometric constraints.

Fractal calculus generalizes ordinary calculus, offering a way to differentiate otherwise non-differentiable domains and phenomena. This paper discusses the equilibrium and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics involving fractal structure, as well as fractal temperature in the partition function.

We start by presenting a brief summary of fractional quantum mechanics, as means to convey a motivation towards fractional quantum cosmology. Subsequently, such application is made concrete with the assistance of a case study. Specifically, we investigate and then discuss a model of stiff matter in a spatially flat homogeneous and isotropic universe. A new quantum cosmological solution, where fractional calculus implications are explicit, is presented and then contrasted with the corresponding standard quantum cosmology setting.

In this brief review, we present the results of the fractional differential approach in cosmology in the context of the exact models of cosmological accelerated expansion obtained by several authors to date. Most of these studies are devoted to the problem of introducing fractional derivatives or fractional integrals into the classical General Relativity (GR). There are several observational and theoretical motivations to investigate the modified or alternative theories of GR. Among other things, we cover General Relativity modified by a phenomenological approach dealing with fractional calculus. At the same time, a sufficiently large number of exact solutions of the cosmological equations modified by this approach were obtained. Some of these models may be especially relevant in the light of solving the problem of late accelerated expansion of the Universe. These studies are largely motivated by rapid progress in the field of observational cosmology that now allows, for the first time, precision tests of fundamental physics on the scale of the observable Universe. The purpose of this review is to provide a reference tool for researchers and students in cosmology and gravitational physics, as well as a self-contained, comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the subject as a whole.

An approach, which is based on exact fractional differences, is used to formulate a lattice fractional field theories on unbounded lattice spacetime. An exact discretization of differential and integral operators of integer and non-integer orders is suggested. New type of fractional differences of integer and non-integer orders, which are represented by infinite series, are used in quantum field theory with non-locality. These exact differences have a property of universality, which means that these operators do not depend on the form of differential equations and the parameters of these equations. In addition, characteristic feature of the suggested differences is an implementation of the same algebraic properties that have the operator of differentiation (property of algebraic correspondence). Lattice analogs of the fractional-order N-dimensional differential operators are proposed. The continuum limit of the suggested lattice field theory gives a fractional field theory for the continuum four-dimensional spacetime. The fractional field equations, which are derived from equations for lattice spacetime with long-range properties of power-law type, contain the Riesz type derivatives on non-integer orders with respect to spacetime coordinates.

The status of multifractional theories is reviewed using comparative tables. Theoretical foundations, classical matter and gravity dynamics, cosmology and experimental constraints are summarized and the application of the multifractional paradigm to quantum gravity is discussed. We also clarify the issue of unitarity in theories with integer-order derivatives.