Nonparametric clustering using quantum mechanics

This paper introduces a new nonparametric estimation approach that can be used for data that is not necessarily Gaussian distributed. The proposed approach employs the Shrodinger partial differential equation. We assume that each data sample is associated with a quantum physics particle that has a radial field around its value. We consider a statistical estimation approach for finding the size of the influence field around each data sample. By implementing the Shrodinger equation we obtain a potential field that is assimilated with the data density. The regions of minima in the potential are determined by calculating the local Hessian on the potential hypersurface. The quantum clustering approach is applied for blind separation of signals and for segmenting SAR images of terrain based on surface normal orientation.