Quantum-mechanical time evolution and uniform forces

Abstract

The time evolution of an arbitrary one-dimensional initial quantum state, subject to a time-independent, spatially uniform classical force, is shown to be that of a free-particle state, plus an overall motion arising from the classical force. Bohmian mechanics is then used to extend this result to an arbitrarily time-dependent, uniform force in three dimensions. The resulting solution is completed and confirmed using conventional quantum mechanics.