Abstract

ABSTRACT The mean square displacement of the position of a free particle of mass at thermal equilibrium is evaluated quantum mechanically. An analytical expression is obtained which shows an initial quadratic increase of the mean square displacement with time and later on a linear growth, with the slope , quite at variance with the result from classical statistical mechanics. Results are discussed in relation to observables from helium scattering or spin-echo experiments, and their possible interpretation in terms of the classical and quantum mechanical expression for the mean square displacement of an essentially free particle.

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