Simon problems

Short description: Fifteen problems in mathematical physic

Not to be confused with Simon's problem in computational complexity.

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In mathematics, the Simon problems (or Simon's problems) are a series of fifteen questions posed in the year 2000 by Barry Simon, an American mathematical physicist.[1][2] Inspired by other collections of mathematical problems and open conjectures, such as the famous list by David Hilbert, the Simon problems concern quantum operators.[3] Eight of the problems pertain to anomalous spectral behavior of Schrödinger operators, and five concern operators that incorporate the Coulomb potential.[1][4]

In 2014, Artur Avila won a Fields Medal for work including the solution of three Simon problems.[5][6] Among these was the problem of proving that the set of energy levels of one particular abstract quantum system was, in fact, the Cantor set, a challenge known as the "Ten Martini Problem" after the reward that Mark Kac offered for solving it.[6][7]

The 2000 list was a refinement of a similar set of problems that Simon had posed in 1984.[8][9]

## Contents

* 1 Context
* 2 The 1984 list
* 3 The 2000 list
* 4 See also
* 5 External links
* 6 References

## Context

Background definitions for the "Coulomb energies" problems (N non-relativistic particles (electrons) in ℝ3 with spin 1/2 and an infinitely heavy nucleus with charge Z and Coulombic mutual interaction):

* ℋf(N) is the space of functions on L2(ℝ3N;ℂ2N) which are asymmetrical under exchange of the N spin and space coordinates.[1] Equivalently, the subspace of (L2(ℝ3)⊗ℂ2)⊗N which is asymmetrical under the exchange of the N factors.
* The Hamiltonian is H(N,Z):=∑i=1N(−Δi−Z|xi|)+∑i<j1|xi−xj|. Here xi∈ℝ3 is the coordinate of the i-th particle, Δi is the Laplacian with respect to the coordinate xi. Even if the Hamiltonian does not explicitly depend on the state of the spin sector, the presence of spin has an effect due to the asymmetry condition on the total wave-function.
* We define E(N,Z):=minℋfH(N,Z), that is, the ground state energy of the (N,Z) system.
* We define N0(Z) to be the smallest value of N such that E(N+j,Z)=E(N,Z) for all positive integers j; it is known that such a number always exists and is always between Z and 2Z, inclusive.[1]

## The 1984 list

Simon listed the following problems in 1984:[8]

No.  | Short name  | Statement  | Status  | Year solved

|
|
|
|

1st  | (a) Almost always global existence for Newtonian gravitating particles  | (a) Prove that the set of initial conditions for which Newton's equations fail to have global solutions has measure zero.  | Open as of 1984.[8][needs update] In 1977, Saari showed that this is true for 4-body problems.[10] | ?
(b) Existence of non-collisional singularities in the Newtonian N-body problem | Show that there are non-collisional singularities in the Newtonian N-body problem for some N and suitable masses.  | In 1988, Xia gave an example of a 5-body configuration which undergoes a non-collisional singularity.[11][12]

In 1991, Gerver showed that 3n-body problems in the plane for some sufficiently large value of n also undergo non-collisional singularities.[13]

| 1989
2nd  | (a) Ergodicity of gases with soft cores  | Find repulsive smooth potentials for which the dynamics of N particles in a box (with, e.g., smooth wall potentials) is ergodic.  | Open as of 1984.[needs update]

Sinai once proved that the hard sphere gas is ergodic, but no complete proof has appeared except for the case of two particles, and a sketch for three, four, and five particles.[8]

| ?
(b) Approach to equilibrium  | Use the scenario above to justify that large systems with forces that are attractive at suitable distances approach equilibrium, or find an alternate scenario that does not rely on strict ergodicity in finite volume.  | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
(c) Asymptotic abelianness for the quantum Heisenberg dynamics  | Prove or disprove that the multidimensional quantum Heisenberg model is asymptotically abelian.  | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
3rd  | Turbulence and all that  | Develop a comprehensive theory of long-time behavior of dynamical systems, including a theory of the onset of and of fully developed turbulence.  | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
4th  | (a) Fourier's heat law  | Find a mechanical model in which a system of size L with temperature difference ΔT between its ends has a rate of heat temperature that goes as L−1 in the limit L->∞.  | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
(b) Kubo's formula  | Justify Kubo's formula in a quantum model or find an alternate theory of conductivity.  | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
5th  | (a) Exponential decay of v=2 classical Heisenberg correlations  | Consider the two-dimensional classical Heisenberg model. Prove that for any beta, correlations decay exponentially as distance approaches infinity.  | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
(b) Pure phases and low temperatures for the v≥3 classical Heisenberg model  | Prove that, in the D=3 model at large beta and at dimension v≥3, the equilibrium states form a single orbit under SO(3): the sphere.
(c) GKS for classical Heisenberg models  | Let f and g be finite products of the form (σα⋅σγ) in the D=3 model. Is it true that <fg>Λ,β≥<f>Λ,β<g>Λ,β ?[clarification needed]
(d) Phase transitions in the quantum Heisenberg model  | Prove that for v≥3 and large beta, the quantum Heisenberg model has long range order.
6th  | Explanation of ferromagnetism | Verify the Heisenberg picture of the origin of ferromagnetism (or an alternative) in a suitable model of a realistic quantum system.  | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
7th  | Existence of continuum phase transitions  | Show that for suitable choices of pair potential and density, the free energy is non-C1 at some beta.  | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
8th  | (a) Formulation of the renormalization group | Develop mathematically precise renormalization transformations for v-dimensional Ising-type systems.  | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
(b) Proof of universality  | Show that critical exponents for Ising-type systems with nearest neighbor coupling but different bond strengths in the three directions are independent of ratios of bond strengths.
9th  | (a) Asymptotic completeness for short-range N-body quantum systems  | Prove that ⊕RanΩa+=L2(X).[clarification needed] | Open as of 1984.[8][needs update] | ?
(b) Asymptotic completeness for Coulomb potentials  | Suppose v=3,Vij(x)=eij|x|−1. Prove that ⊕RanΩaD,+=L2(X).[clarification needed]
10th  | (a) Monotonicity of ionization energy  | (a) Prove that (ΔE)(N−1,Z)≥(ΔE)(N,Z).[clarification needed] | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
(b) The Scott correction  | Prove that limZ->∞(E(Z,Z)−eTFZ7/3)/Z2 exists and is the constant found by Scott.[clarification needed]
(c) Asymptotic ionization  | Find the leading asymptotics of (ΔE)(Z,Z).[clarification needed]
(d) Asymptotics of maximal ionized charge  | Prove that limZ->∞N(Z)/Z=1.[clarification needed]
(e) Rate of collapse of Bose matter  | Find suitable C1,C2,α such that −C1Nα≤E~B(N,N;1)≤C2Nα.[clarification needed]
11th  | Existence of crystals | Prove a suitable version of the existence of crystals (e.g. there is a choice of minimizing configurations that converge to some infinite lattice configuration).  | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
12th  | (a) Existence of extended states in the Anderson model  | Prove that in v≥3 and for small λ that there is a region of absolutely continuous spectrum of the Anderson model, and determine whether this is false for v=2.[clarification needed] | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
(b) Diffusive bound on "transport" in random potentials  | Prove that Exp(δ0,(eitHN→e−itH)2δ0)≤c(1+|t|) for the Anderson model, and more general random potentials.[clarification needed]
(c) Smoothness of k(E) through the mobility edge in the Anderson model  | Is k(E), the integrated density of states[clarification needed], a C∞ function in the Anderson model at all couplings?
(d) Analysis of the almost Mathieu equation  | Verify the following for the almost Mathieu equation:

* If α is a Liouville number and λ≠0, then the spectrum is purely singular continuous for almost all θ.
* If α is a Roth number and |λ|<2, then the spectrum is purely absolutely continuous for almost all θ.
* If α is a Roth number and |λ|>2, then the spectrum is purely dense pure point.
* If α is a Roth number and |λ|=2, then σ(h) has Lebesgue measure zero and the spectrum is purely singular continuous.[clarification needed]

(e) Point spectrum in a continuous almost periodic model  | Show that −d2dx2+λcos⁡(2πx)+μcos⁡(2παx+θ) has some point spectrum for suitable α,λ,μ and almost all θ.
13th  | Critical exponent for self-avoiding walks | Let D(n) be the mean displacement of a random self-avoiding walk of length n. Show that v:=limn->∞n−1ln⁡D(n) is 12 for dimension at least four and is greater otherwise.  | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
14th  | (a) Construct QCD | Give a precise mathematical construction of quantum chromodynamics.  | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?
(b) Renormalizable QFT | Construct a nontrivial quantum field theory that is renormalizable but not superrenormalizable.
(c) Inconsistency of QED | Prove that QED is not a consistent theory.
(d) Inconsistency of φ44 | Prove that a nontrivial φ44 theory does not exist.
15th  | Cosmic censorship  | Formulate and then prove or disprove a suitable version of cosmic censorship.  | Open as of 1984.[needs update] | ?

In 2000, Simon claimed that five[which?] of the problems he listed had been solved.[1]

## The 2000 list

The Simon problems as listed in 2000 (with original categorizations), are:[1][14]

No.  | Short name  | Statement  | Status  | Year solved

|
|
|
|

Quantum transport and anomalous spectral behavior
1st  | Extended states  | Prove that the Anderson model has purely absolutely continuous spectrum for v≥3 and suitable values of b−a in some energy range.  | ?  | ?
2nd  | Localization in 2 dimensions  | Prove that the spectrum of the Anderson model for v=2 is dense pure point.  | ?  | ?
3rd  | Quantum diffusion  | Prove that, for v≥3 and values of |b−a| where there is absolutely continuous spectrum, that ∑n∈ℤνn2|eitH(n,0)|2 grows like ct as t->∞.  | ?  | ?
4th  | Ten Martini problem  | Prove that the spectrum of hα,λ,θ is a Cantor set (that is, nowhere dense) for all λ≠0 and all irrational α.  | Solved by Puig (2003).[14][15] | 2003
5th  |  | Prove that the spectrum of hα,λ,θ has measure zero for λ=2 and all irrational α.  | Solved by Avila and Krikorian (2003).[14][16] | 2003
6th  |  | Prove that the spectrum of hα,λ,θ is absolutely continuous for λ=2 and all irrational α.  | ?  | ?
7th  |  | Do there exist potentials V(x) on [0,∞) such that |V(x)|≤C|x|12+ε for some ε and such that −d2dx2+V has some singular continuous spectrum?  | Essentially solved by Denisov (2003) with only L2 decay.

Solved entirely by Kiselev (2005).[14][17][18]

| 2003, 2005
8th  |  | Suppose that V(x) is a function on ℝν such that ∫|x|−ν+1|V(x)|2dνx<∞, where ν≥2. Prove that −Δ+V has absolutely continuous spectrum of infinite multiplicity on [0,∞).  | ?  | ?
Coulomb energies
9th  |  | Prove that N0(Z)−Z is bounded for Z->∞.  | ?  | ?
10th  |  | What are the asymptotics of (δE)(Z):=E(Z,Z−1)−E(Z,Z) for Z->∞?  | ?  | ?
11th  |  | Make mathematical sense of the nuclear shell model.  | ?  | ?
12th  |  | Is there a mathematical sense in which one can justify current techniques for determining molecular configurations from first principles?  | ?  | ?
13th  |  | Prove that, as the number of nuclei approaches infinity, the ground state of some neutral system of molecules and electrons approaches a periodic limit (i.e. that crystals exist based on quantum principles).  | ?  | ?
Other problems
14th  |  | Prove that the integrated density of states k(E) is continuous in the energy.  | | k(E1 + ΔE) − k(E1) | < ε  | ?
15th  | Lieb-Thirring conjecture | Prove the Lieb-Thirring conjecture on the constants Lγ,ν where ν=1,12<γ<32.  | ?  | ?

## See also

* Almost Mathieu operator
* Lieb–Thirring inequality

## External links

* "Simon's Problems". http://mathworld.wolfram.com/SimonsProblems.html.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Simon, Barry (2000). "Schrödinger Operators in the Twenty-First Century". Mathematical Physics 2000. Imperial College London. pp. 283–288. doi:10.1142/9781848160224_0014. ISBN 978-1-86094-230-3.
2. ↑ Marx, C. A.; Jitomirskaya, S. (2017). "Dynamics and Spectral Theory of Quasi-Periodic Schrödinger-type Operators". Ergodic Theory and Dynamical Systems 37 (8): 2353–2393. doi:10.1017/etds.2016.16.
3. ↑ Damanik, David. "Dynamics of SL(2,R)-Cocycles and Applications to Spectral Theory; Lecture 1: Barry Simon's 21st Century Problems". http://www.math.pku.edu.cn/teachers/gansb/conference09/Damanik-Minicourse-2009-08-09.pdf.
4. ↑ "Simon's Problem". https://home.cs.colorado.edu/~alko5368/lecturesCSCI3090/lecture11.pdf.
5. ↑ "Fields Medal awarded to Artur Avila". 2014-08-13. http://www2.cnrs.fr/en/2435.htm?debut=8&theme1=12.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bellos, Alex (2014-08-13). "Fields Medals 2014: the maths of Avila, Bhargava, Hairer and Mirzakhani explained". https://www.theguardian.com/science/alexs-adventures-in-numberland/2014/aug/13/fields-medals-2014-maths-avila-bhargava-hairer-mirzakhani.
7. ↑ Tao, Terry (2014-08-12). "Avila, Bhargava, Hairer, Mirzakhani". https://terrytao.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/avila-bhargava-hairer-mirzakhani/.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Simon, Barry (1984). "Fifteen problems in mathematical physics". Perspectives in Mathematics: Anniversary of Oberwolfach 1984. Birkhäuser. pp. 423-454. http://www.math.caltech.edu/SimonPapers/R27.pdf. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
9. ↑ Coley, Alan A. (2017). "Open problems in mathematical physics". Physica Scripta 92 (9): 093003. doi:10.1088/1402-4896/aa83c1. Bibcode: 2017PhyS...92i3003C.
10. ↑ Saari, Donald G. (October 1977). "A global existence theorem for the four-body problem of Newtonian mechanics". Journal of Differential Equations 26 (1): 80–111. doi:10.1016/0022-0396(77)90100-0. Bibcode: 1977JDE....26...80S.
11. ↑ Xia, Zhihong (1992). "The Existence of Noncollision Singularities in Newtonian Systems". Annals of Mathematics 135 (3): 411–468. doi:10.2307/2946572.
12. ↑ Saari, Donald G.; Xia, Zhihong (April 1995). "Off to infinity in finite time". Notices of the American Mathematical Society 42 (5): 538–546. https://www.ams.org/journals/notices/199505/saari-2.pdf.
13. ↑ Gerver, Joseph L (January 1991). "The existence of pseudocollisions in the plane". Journal of Differential Equations 89 (1): 1–68. doi:10.1016/0022-0396(91)90110-U. Bibcode: 1991JDE....89....1G.
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Weisstein, Eric W.. "Simon's Problems" (in en). https://mathworld.wolfram.com/SimonsProblems.html.
15. ↑ Puig, Joaquim (1 January 2004). "Cantor Spectrum for the Almost Mathieu Operator". Communications in Mathematical Physics 244 (2): 297–309. doi:10.1007/s00220-003-0977-3. Bibcode: 2004CMaPh.244..297P.
16. ↑ Ávila Cordeiro de Melo, Artur; Krikorian, Raphaël (1 November 2006). "Reducibility or nonuniform hyperbolicity for quasiperiodic Schrödinger cocycles". Annals of Mathematics 164 (3): 911–940. doi:10.4007/annals.2006.164.911.
17. ↑ Denisov, Sergey A. (June 2003). "On the coexistence of absolutely continuous and singular continuous components of the spectral measure for some Sturm–Liouville operators with square summable potential". Journal of Differential Equations 191 (1): 90–104. doi:10.1016/S0022-0396(02)00145-6. Bibcode: 2003JDE...191...90D.
18. ↑ Kiselev, Alexander (27 April 2005). "Imbedded singular continuous spectrum for Schrödinger operators". Journal of the American Mathematical Society 18 (3): 571–603. doi:10.1090/S0894-0347-05-00489-3.

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