Quantization as deformation theory
F. J. Bloore, M. Assimakopoulos, I. R. Ghobrial
We show that any rule for quantization of functions on the phase space of a dynamical system is equivalent to a deformation of the Poisson bracket, in the sense of Lie algebras. All Schrödinger-type quantizations are equivalent mathematically but not physically. We examine whether a quantization rule exists in which the Poisson bracket of the free Hamiltonian and any function not more than quadratic in momentum gets quantized into the commutator of the quantized versions of these two observables. We show that if the (Riemannian) configuration manifold is irreducible, this condition uniquely specifies the quantization of these functions, in the cases when it can be satisfied. However, it can only be satisfied for systems whose configuration manifolds are one-dimensional, or have vanishing Ricci tensor, or are spaces of constant curvature. Thus the condition will not serve as a general physical principle which could be invoked to fix a quantization rule.
Journal of Mathematical Physics•Jun 1, 1976•5 citations