Bohmian mechanics as a heuristic device: Wave packets in the harmonic oscillator

Although Bohmian mechanics has attracted considerable interest as a causal interpretation of quantum mechanics, it also possesses intrinsic heuristic value, arising from calculational tools and physical insights that are unavailable in "standard" quantum mechanics. We illustrate by examining the behavior of Gaussian harmonic oscillator wave packets from the Bohmian perspective. By utilizing familiar classical concepts and techniques, we obtain a physically transparent picture of packet behavior. This example provides, at a level accessible to students, a concrete illustration of Bohmian mechanics as a heuristic device that can enhance both understanding and discovery.