QUANTUM-MECHANICS IN NONINTERTIAL REFERENCE FRAMES .1. NONRELATIVISTIC QUANTUM-MECHANICS

The Galilean covariance of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics is genera lized to acceleration transformations. Projective representations of t he group of acceleration transformations are constructed and the resul ting unitary operators are shown to implement arbitrary accelerations. These unitary operators are used to modify the time-dependent Schrodi nger equation and produce the quantum mechanical analog of fictitious forces. The relationship of accelerating systems to gravitational forc es is discussed, as well as the effects of accelerations on the intern al structure of quantum mechanical systems. (C) 1997 Academic Press.