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

Hadronic J.; (United States)

Lie algebra of Wigner operators of angular momentum

D. Sourias, A. D. Jannussis, A. Streclas

Published Aug 1, 1980• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

In this paper we study the Wigner operators of angular momentum in the phase space, which are obtained from the well-known operators of angular momentum by virtue of Wigner representation. In the sequel we construct the Lie algebra of these operators, as well as the corresponding Lie group, and we examine two representations of this group. We find also the eigenfunction and the eigenvalues of these operators.

Related papers

Orbital Angular Momentum

Reinhold A. Bertlmann, Nicolai Friis

Abstract In this chapter we introduce the concept of orbital angular momentum into the mathematical language of quantum mechanics. We discuss the commutation relations of the corresponding operators and their roles as generators of rotations in the context of the theory of Lie groups and Lie algebras, focusing on the three-dimensional rotation group SO(3). We further examine how scalar and vector-valued operators transform under spatial rotations. We then turn to the derivation of the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues of the angular-momentum operators, for which we follow a dual approach in analogy to that employed for the harmonic oscillator in Chapter 5. Using both the algebraic ladder-operator method and an analytical method using spherical polar coordinates we discover the relevant azimuthal and magnetic quantum numbers and their relation to the spherical harmonics and the Legendre polynomials

•Sep 7, 2023•1 citation

Wigner representation and geometric transformations of optical orbital angular momentum spatial modes

Gabriel F. Calvo

An exact Wigner representation of optical spatial modes carrying orbital angular momentum is found in closed form by exploiting the underlying SU(2) Lie-group algebra of their associated Poincaré sphere. Orthogonality relations and observables of these states are obtained within the phase space picture. Development of geometric phases on mode transformations is also elucidated.

Optics Letters•May 15, 2005•64 citations

Wigner functions for the pair angle and orbital angular momentum

H.A. Kastrup

The problem of constructing physically and mathematically well-defined Wigner functions for the canonical pair angle $\ensuremath{\theta}$ and angular momentum $p$ is solved. While a key element for the construction of Wigner functions for the planar phase space ${(q,p)\ensuremath{\in}{\mathbb{R}}^{2}}$ is the Heisenberg-Weyl group, the corresponding group for the cylindrical phase space ${(\ensuremath{\theta},p)\ensuremath{\in}{S}^{1}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathbb{R}}$ is the Euclidean group $E(2)$ of the plane and its unitary representations. Here the angle $\ensuremath{\theta}$ is replaced by the pair $(cos\ensuremath{\theta},sin\ensuremath{\theta})$, which corresponds uniquely to the points on the unit circle. The main structural properties of the Wigner functions for the planar and the cylindrical phase spaces are strikingly similar. A crucial role is played by the $sinc$ function, which provides the interpolation for the discontinuous quantized angular momenta in terms of the continuous classical ones, in accordance with the famous Whittaker cardinal function well known from interpolation and sampling theories. The quantum mechanical marginal distributions for the angle (continuous) and angular momentum (discontinuous) are, as usual, uniquely obtained by appropriate integrations of the $(\ensuremath{\theta},p)$ Wigner function. Among the examples discussed is an elementary system of simple cat states.

arXiv:1601.02520•Physical Review A•Dec 15, 2016•29 citations

Wigner quantization and Lie superalgebra representations

G. Regniers

In quantum mechanics, physical observables are represented by operators on a certain Hilbert space. The question of how such operators commute, has been a matter of discussion. In the standard perspective, the operators corresponding to the position and momentum of a system are assumed to satisfy the canonical commutation relations. It is known that these relations imply that the Hamilton and Heisenberg equations of motion are compatible as operator equations. However, Wigner showed that the inverse statement is not true. Therefore, it is a much weaker constraint to impose the compatibility of the equations of motion. For any physical system, this results in a set of compatibility conditions, which form the core of Wigner quantization. The key to finding operators that are subject to the compatibility conditions is provided by Lie superalgebras and their representations. Lie superalgebras can be defined as algebras generated by odd elements satisfying particular superbracket relations. Using these defining relations, Lie superalgebra generators can be found that obey the compatibility conditions. The Lie superalgebra elements act as operators on a vector space if we consider Lie superalgebra representations. Various physical systems are investigated in this thesis in the context of Wigner quantization. For each of these systems solutions are found in terms of Lie superalgebra generators, after which specific representations are examined. In such representations, the focus lies on determining particular physical properties of the system. Most of the studied systems are harmonic oscillator models. First, we examine a set-up of coupled harmonic oscillators, for which the interaction is represented by an interaction matrix. Then we focus on the angular momentum content of a $3N$-dimensional harmonic oscillator. Finally, our attention goes to two one-dimensional systems, namely the free particle and the Berry-Keating-Connes Hamiltonian. The latter of these Hamiltonians is notorious for its possible connection with the Riemann hypothesis. All of the aforementioned Hamiltonians have been extensively investigated in the context of canonical quantization, so that our results can be compared to the well-known canonical case.

•Jan 1, 2011•0 citations

Self-Adjoint Ladder Operators. III

A. JOSEPH

The method of self-adjoint ladder operators, developed in Parts I and II, is applied to the solution of the generalized angular-momentum problem. This reveals many interesting aspects of this approach to eigenvalue problems and, in particular, its relationship to addition of angular momentum. The complete set of irreducible unitary representations of the underlying algebra is obtained and also the corresponding Clebsch-Gordan (Wigner) coefficients for the addition of spin and angular momentum in a space of arbitrary dimension.

Reviews of Modern Physics•Oct 1, 1968•7 citations

Wigner functions for angle and orbital angular momentum: Operators and dynamics

H.A. Kastrup

Recently a paper on the construction of consistent Wigner functions for cylindrical phase spaces ${\mathbb{S}}^{1}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathbb{R}$, i.e., for the canonical pair angle and orbital angular momentum, was published [H. A. Kastrup, Phys. Rev. A 94, 062113 (2016)] in which the main properties of these functions are derived and discussed and their usefulness is illustrated with examples. The present paper is a continuation which compares the properties of the Wigner functions for cylindrical phase spaces with those of the well-known Wigner functions for planar phase spaces in more detail. Furthermore, the mutual (Weyl) correspondence between Hilbert space operators and their phase-space functions is discussed. The $\ensuremath{\star}$ product formalism is shown to be completely implementable. In addition, basic dynamical laws for Wigner and Moyal functions are derived as generalized Liouville and energy equations. They are very similar to those in the planar case but also show characteristic differences.

arXiv:1702.05615•Physical Review A•May 12, 2017•7 citations
In this paper we study the Wigner operators of angular momentum in the phase space, which are obtained from the well-known operators of angular momentum by virtue of Wigner representation. In the sequel we construct the Lie algebra of these operators, as well as the corresponding Lie group, and we examine two representations of this group. We find also the eigenfunction and the eigenvalues of these operators.
Abstract In this chapter we introduce the concept of orbital angular momentum into the mathematical language of quantum mechanics. We discuss the commutation relations of the corresponding operators and their roles as generators of rotations in the context of the theory of Lie groups and Lie algebras, focusing on the three-dimensional rotation group SO(3). We further examine how scalar and vector-valued operators transform under spatial rotations. We then turn to the derivation of the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues of the angular-momentum operators, for which we follow a dual approach in analogy to that employed for the harmonic oscillator in Chapter 5. Using both the algebraic ladder-operator method and an analytical method using spherical polar coordinates we discover the relevant azimuthal and magnetic quantum numbers and their relation to the spherical harmonics and the Legendre polynomials
The problem of constructing physically and mathematically well-defined Wigner functions for the canonical pair angle $\ensuremath{\theta}$ and angular momentum ppp is solved. While a key element for the construction of Wigner functions for the planar phase space ${(q,p)\ensuremath{\in}{\mathbb{R}}^{2}}$ is the Heisenberg-Weyl group, the corresponding group for the cylindrical phase space ${(\ensuremath{\theta},p)\ensuremath{\in}{S}^{1}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathbb{R}}$ is the Euclidean group E(2)E(2)E(2) of the plane and its unitary representations. Here the angle $\ensuremath{\theta}$ is replaced by the pair $(cos\ensuremath{\theta},sin\ensuremath{\theta})$, which corresponds uniquely to the points on the unit circle. The main structural properties of the Wigner functions for the planar and the cylindrical phase spaces are strikingly similar. A crucial role is played by the sincsincsinc function, which provides the interpolation for the discontinuous quantized angular momenta in terms of the continuous classical ones, in accordance with the famous Whittaker cardinal function well known from interpolation and sampling theories. The quantum mechanical marginal distributions for the angle (continuous) and angular momentum (discontinuous) are, as usual, uniquely obtained by appropriate integrations of the $(\ensuremath{\theta},p)$ Wigner function. Among the examples discussed is an elementary system of simple cat states.
In quantum mechanics, physical observables are represented by operators on a certain Hilbert space. The question of how such operators commute, has been a matter of discussion. In the standard perspective, the operators corresponding to the position and momentum of a system are assumed to satisfy the canonical commutation relations. It is known that these relations imply that the Hamilton and Heisenberg equations of motion are compatible as operator equations. However, Wigner showed that the inverse statement is not true. Therefore, it is a much weaker constraint to impose the compatibility of the equations of motion. For any physical system, this results in a set of compatibility conditions, which form the core of Wigner quantization. The key to finding operators that are subject to the compatibility conditions is provided by Lie superalgebras and their representations. Lie superalgebras can be defined as algebras generated by odd elements satisfying particular superbracket relations. Using these defining relations, Lie superalgebra generators can be found that obey the compatibility conditions. The Lie superalgebra elements act as operators on a vector space if we consider Lie superalgebra representations. Various physical systems are investigated in this thesis in the context of Wigner quantization. For each of these systems solutions are found in terms of Lie superalgebra generators, after which specific representations are examined. In such representations, the focus lies on determining particular physical properties of the system. Most of the studied systems are harmonic oscillator models. First, we examine a set-up of coupled harmonic oscillators, for which the interaction is represented by an interaction matrix. Then we focus on the angular momentum content of a 3N3N3N-dimensional harmonic oscillator. Finally, our attention goes to two one-dimensional systems, namely the free particle and the Berry-Keating-Connes Hamiltonian. The latter of these Hamiltonians is notorious for its possible connection with the Riemann hypothesis. All of the aforementioned Hamiltonians have been extensively investigated in the context of canonical quantization, so that our results can be compared to the well-known canonical case.
The method of self-adjoint ladder operators, developed in Parts I and II, is applied to the solution of the generalized angular-momentum problem. This reveals many interesting aspects of this approach to eigenvalue problems and, in particular, its relationship to addition of angular momentum. The complete set of irreducible unitary representations of the underlying algebra is obtained and also the corresponding Clebsch-Gordan (Wigner) coefficients for the addition of spin and angular momentum in a space of arbitrary dimension.
Recently a paper on the construction of consistent Wigner functions for cylindrical phase spaces ${\mathbb{S}}^{1}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathbb{R}$, i.e., for the canonical pair angle and orbital angular momentum, was published [H. A. Kastrup, Phys. Rev. A 94, 062113 (2016)] in which the main properties of these functions are derived and discussed and their usefulness is illustrated with examples. The present paper is a continuation which compares the properties of the Wigner functions for cylindrical phase spaces with those of the well-known Wigner functions for planar phase spaces in more detail. Furthermore, the mutual (Weyl) correspondence between Hilbert space operators and their phase-space functions is discussed. The $\ensuremath{\star}$ product formalism is shown to be completely implementable. In addition, basic dynamical laws for Wigner and Moyal functions are derived as generalized Liouville and energy equations. They are very similar to those in the planar case but also show characteristic differences.