Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1008.4307 · Optics and Spectroscopy

On the role of coherent states in quantum foundations

J. Klauder

Published Oct 1, 2011• 4 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Coherent states, and the Hilbert space representations they generate, provide ideal tools to discuss classical/quantum relationships. In this paper we analyze three separate classical/quantum problems using coherent states, and show that useful connections arise among them. The topics discussed are: (1) a truly natural formulation of phase space path integrals; (2) how this analysis implies that the usual classical formalism is “simply a subset” of the quantum formalism, and thus demonstrates a universal coexistence of both the classical and quantum formalisms; and (3) how these two insights lead to a complete analytic solution of a formerly insoluble family of nonlinear quantum field theory models.

DOI
10.1134/s0030400x11110166

Related papers

GENERAL PROBLEMS AND DIRECTIONS On the Role of Coherent States in Quantum Foundations 1

John R. Klauder

Coherent states, and the Hilbert space representations they generate, provide ideal tools to discuss classical/quantum relationships. In this paper we analyze three separate classical/quantum problems using coherent states, and show that useful connections arise among them. The topics discussed are: (1) a truly nat� ural formulation of phase space path integrals; (2) how this analysis implies that the usual classical formalism is simply a subset of the quantum formalism, and thus demonstrates a universal coexistence of both the classical and quantum formalisms; and (3) how these two insights lead to a complete analytic solution of a formerly insoluble family of nonlinear quantum field theory models.

•Jan 1, 2011•0 citations

Selecta from a Life-Long Obsession with Path Integrals

John R. Klauder, Christopher Casenas Bernido, M. Victoria Carpio-Bernido

The definition and interpretation of canonical, phase space path integrals has evolved over many years to achieve a form that now admits a correct and rigorous formulation, which is also covariant under canonical coordinate transformations. Such formulations involve coherent state representations, which, in their modern version, were originally introduced as an alternative tool to construct phase space path integrals. Moreover, coherent state representations lead to physical interpretations that are more natural than those afforded by more traditional representations. Suitable continuous time regularization procedures lead to a covariant phase space path integral formulation that greatly clarifies the vague phrase that canonical quantization requires Cartesian coordinates.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 2008•0 citations

Coherent States

Lukong Cornelius Fai

This chapter shows how to construct path integral representation using a closure relation based on the eigenstates of the creation or the annihilation operators. It examines how coherent states are used to obtain a path integral representation of the partition function as well as calculating directly the trace defining the partition function. The chapter explores quantum field theory using the Feynman functional and diagrammatic techniques as foundations to apply Quantum Field Theory to a broad range of topics in physics. The minimum uncertainty wave packets for the harmonic oscillator were published as coherent states by Schrodinger. Coherent states have played an important role in many branches of physics and, in particular, quantum field theory and quantum optics. The most important property of coherent states is their overcompleteness in the Fock space, which implies that any vector of the Fock space can be expanded in terms of coherent states.

CRC Press eBooks•Jun 20, 2019•0 citations

Extended coherent states and path integrals with auxiliary variables

John R. Klauder, BERNARD F. WHITING

The usual construction of coherent states allows a wider interpretation in which the number of distinguishing state labels is no longer minimal; the label measure determining the required resolution of unity is then no longer unique and may even be concentrated on manifolds with positive co-dimension. Paying particular attention to the residual restrictions on the measure, the authors choose to capitalize on this inherent freedom and in formally distinct ways, systematically construct suitable sets of extended coherent states which, in a minimal sense, are characterized by auxiliary labels. Interestingly, they find these states lead to path integral constructions containing auxiliary (essentially unconstrained) path-space variables. The impact of both standard and extended coherent state formulations on the content of classical theories is briefly examined, the latter showing the existence of new, and generally constrained, classical variables. Some implications for the handling of constrained classical systems are given, with a complete analysis awaiting further study.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General•Apr 7, 1993•6 citations

Classical Structures in Quantum Mechanics and Applications

Augusto César Lobo, Clyffe de Assis Ribeiro

The theory of Non-Relativistic Quantum Mechanics was created (or discovered) back in the 1920's mainly by Schrödinger and Heisenberg, but it is fair enough to say that a more modern and unified approach to the subject was introduced by Dirac and Jordan with their (intrinsic) Transformation Theory. In his famous text book on quantum mechanics [1], Dirac introduced his well-known bra and ket notation and a view that even Einstein (who was, as well known, very critical towards the general quantum physical world-view) considered the most elegant presentation of the theory at that time[2]. One characteristic of this formulation is that the observables of position and momentum are truly treated equally so that an intrinsic phase-space approach seems a natural course to be taken. In fact, we may distinguish at least two different quantum mechanical approaches to the structure of the quantum phase space: The Weyl-Wigner (WW) formalism and the advent of the theory of Coherent States (CS). The Weyl-Wigner formalism has had many applications ranging from the discussion of the Classical/Quantum Mechanical transition and quantum chaos to signal analysis[3,4]. The Coherent State formalism had a profound impact on Quantum Optics and during the course of time has found applications in diverse areas such as geometric quantization, wavelet and harmonic analysis [5]. In this chapter we present a compact review of these formalisms (with also a more intrinsic and coordinate independent notation) towards some non-standard and up-to-date applications such as modular variables and weak values.

arXiv:1212.5340•Dec 21, 2012•0 citations

THE QUANTUM OSCILLATOR IN PHASE SPACE Part I

Emile Grgin, Guido V. Sandri

Starting with a real abstract algebra which encapsulates the algebraic structures of both classical and quantum mechanics, this paper presents a self–contained real-ization of the latter in phase space. Having both mechanics formulated in the same space opens two new windows into the comparative study of foundations. This stems from the fact that the same physical problem, as defined by a given Hamil-tonian, can be solved in several independent ways. The exact solutions can then be compared. Thus, comparison of the classical and quantum solutions in phase space offers new epistemological insights into Bohr’s correspondence principle, while com-parison of the quantum solutions in the different formalisms of Hilbert space and phase space yields new physical insights. These general ideas are then tested on the harmonic oscillator. The analytic ground work is presented in Part I, the exact solutions will be derived in Part II. 1.

Fizika B•Jan 1, 1996•0 citations
Coherent states, and the Hilbert space representations they generate, provide ideal tools to discuss classical/quantum relationships. In this paper we analyze three separate classical/quantum problems using coherent states, and show that useful connections arise among them. The topics discussed are: (1) a truly natural formulation of phase space path integrals; (2) how this analysis implies that the usual classical formalism is “simply a subset” of the quantum formalism, and thus demonstrates a universal coexistence of both the classical and quantum formalisms; and (3) how these two insights lead to a complete analytic solution of a formerly insoluble family of nonlinear quantum field theory models.
Coherent states, and the Hilbert space representations they generate, provide ideal tools to discuss classical/quantum relationships. In this paper we analyze three separate classical/quantum problems using coherent states, and show that useful connections arise among them. The topics discussed are: (1) a truly nat� ural formulation of phase space path integrals; (2) how this analysis implies that the usual classical formalism is simply a subset of the quantum formalism, and thus demonstrates a universal coexistence of both the classical and quantum formalisms; and (3) how these two insights lead to a complete analytic solution of a formerly insoluble family of nonlinear quantum field theory models.
The definition and interpretation of canonical, phase space path integrals has evolved over many years to achieve a form that now admits a correct and rigorous formulation, which is also covariant under canonical coordinate transformations. Such formulations involve coherent state representations, which, in their modern version, were originally introduced as an alternative tool to construct phase space path integrals. Moreover, coherent state representations lead to physical interpretations that are more natural than those afforded by more traditional representations. Suitable continuous time regularization procedures lead to a covariant phase space path integral formulation that greatly clarifies the vague phrase that canonical quantization requires Cartesian coordinates.
This chapter shows how to construct path integral representation using a closure relation based on the eigenstates of the creation or the annihilation operators. It examines how coherent states are used to obtain a path integral representation of the partition function as well as calculating directly the trace defining the partition function. The chapter explores quantum field theory using the Feynman functional and diagrammatic techniques as foundations to apply Quantum Field Theory to a broad range of topics in physics. The minimum uncertainty wave packets for the harmonic oscillator were published as coherent states by Schrodinger. Coherent states have played an important role in many branches of physics and, in particular, quantum field theory and quantum optics. The most important property of coherent states is their overcompleteness in the Fock space, which implies that any vector of the Fock space can be expanded in terms of coherent states.
The usual construction of coherent states allows a wider interpretation in which the number of distinguishing state labels is no longer minimal; the label measure determining the required resolution of unity is then no longer unique and may even be concentrated on manifolds with positive co-dimension. Paying particular attention to the residual restrictions on the measure, the authors choose to capitalize on this inherent freedom and in formally distinct ways, systematically construct suitable sets of extended coherent states which, in a minimal sense, are characterized by auxiliary labels. Interestingly, they find these states lead to path integral constructions containing auxiliary (essentially unconstrained) path-space variables. The impact of both standard and extended coherent state formulations on the content of classical theories is briefly examined, the latter showing the existence of new, and generally constrained, classical variables. Some implications for the handling of constrained classical systems are given, with a complete analysis awaiting further study.
The theory of Non-Relativistic Quantum Mechanics was created (or discovered) back in the 1920's mainly by Schrödinger and Heisenberg, but it is fair enough to say that a more modern and unified approach to the subject was introduced by Dirac and Jordan with their (intrinsic) Transformation Theory. In his famous text book on quantum mechanics [1], Dirac introduced his well-known bra and ket notation and a view that even Einstein (who was, as well known, very critical towards the general quantum physical world-view) considered the most elegant presentation of the theory at that time[2]. One characteristic of this formulation is that the observables of position and momentum are truly treated equally so that an intrinsic phase-space approach seems a natural course to be taken. In fact, we may distinguish at least two different quantum mechanical approaches to the structure of the quantum phase space: The Weyl-Wigner (WW) formalism and the advent of the theory of Coherent States (CS). The Weyl-Wigner formalism has had many applications ranging from the discussion of the Classical/Quantum Mechanical transition and quantum chaos to signal analysis[3,4]. The Coherent State formalism had a profound impact on Quantum Optics and during the course of time has found applications in diverse areas such as geometric quantization, wavelet and harmonic analysis [5]. In this chapter we present a compact review of these formalisms (with also a more intrinsic and coordinate independent notation) towards some non-standard and up-to-date applications such as modular variables and weak values.
Starting with a real abstract algebra which encapsulates the algebraic structures of both classical and quantum mechanics, this paper presents a self–contained real-ization of the latter in phase space. Having both mechanics formulated in the same space opens two new windows into the comparative study of foundations. This stems from the fact that the same physical problem, as defined by a given Hamil-tonian, can be solved in several independent ways. The exact solutions can then be compared. Thus, comparison of the classical and quantum solutions in phase space offers new epistemological insights into Bohr’s correspondence principle, while com-parison of the quantum solutions in the different formalisms of Hilbert space and phase space yields new physical insights. These general ideas are then tested on the harmonic oscillator. The analytic ground work is presented in Part I, the exact solutions will be derived in Part II. 1.