A classical picture of quantum mechanics

M. Hossein Partovi

Using quantum-classical analogies, we find that dynamical pictures of quantum mechanics have precise counterparts in classical mechanics. In particular, the Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions of fluid dynamics in classical mechanics are the analogs of the Schroedinger and Heisenberg pictures in quantum mechanics, respectively. Similarities between classical and quantum dynamical pictures are explored within the framework of the Koopman-von Neumann formalism. These allow for a natural definition of various dynamical pictures in classical mechanics as well as the application of classical concepts to quantum dynamics. As an illustration, we use the interaction picture to find the classical evolution of an ensemble of particles of equal initial momenta and arbitrary configuration density under the action of a constant force in one dimension. As a second example, we discuss the extension of the ideas of sensitivity to initial conditions and chaos in classical mechanics to quantum mechanics.

Ghenadie N. Mardari

Mark P. Davidson

R. A. Marcus

A quantum-mechanical counterpart to the classical mechanical variation of constants method is derived, with initial values of coordinates and momenta as “constants.” Use is made of a formal operator solution for nonautonomous or autonomous systems in classical mechanics, which we published earlier, and of the correspondence between Poisson brackets and commutators. An alternative unified Lie-algebraic derivation is also given. It is shown that the Schrödinger, Heisenberg, and interaction pictures in quantum mechanics do not correspond directly to the method of classical mechanical variation of these “constants.” A fourth picture, termed “mixed interaction,” is introduced and shown to so correspond. It complements the previous three in a symmetrical manner, bearing the same relation to the Heisenberg picture that the Schrödinger picture bears to the interaction one. The group-theoretic relationship to the interaction picture is noted, as is the relation to the usual variation-of-constants method in wave mechanics. For completeness, the classical counterparts of the Heisenberg and interaction pictures are also given. The present results arose from a comparison of quantum and classical treatments of collisions.

Akihiro Ogura, Motoo Sekiguchi

We propose a new picture, which we call the {\it moving picture}, in quantum mechanics. The Schrödinger equation in this picture is derived and its solution is examined. We also investigate the close relationship between the moving picture and the Hamilton-Jacobi theory in classical mechanics.

James G. Gilson