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New path integral representation of the quantum mechanical propagator

M. Roncadelli

A new path integral representation of the quantum mechanical propagator is proposed, which is even more intimately connected with classical mechanics than the Feynman path integral. The emergence of the semiclassical propagator is discussed in detail. It is argued that those paths which actually contribute in the new path integral have a very simple relation with the classical dynamical trajectories in configuration space.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and GeneralAug 21, 19926 citations

Path-integrals in dynamics

A. M. Arthurs

The Lagrangian formulation of quantum dynamics in terms of path-integrals due to Feynman describes systems for which the Hamiltonian is classical in form and quantization is carried out in terms of commutators rather than anticommutators. The difficulty with the Feynman method is the actual evaluation of the pathintegral itself. An explicit evaluation is given for classical wave motion in one dimension. This requires an extension of the Feynman method which was introduced by Tobocman and studied in detail by Davies. The work of Corson on the question of a unified formulation of dynamics is discussed. (Author)The Lagrangian formulation of quantum dynamics in terms of path-integrals due to Feynman describes systems for which the Hamiltonian is classical in form and quantization is carried out in terms of commutators rather than anticommutators. The difficulty with the Feynman method is the actual evaluation of the pathintegral itself. An explicit evaluation is given for classical wave motion in one dimension. This requires an extension of the Feynman method which was introduced by Tobocman and studied in detail by Davies. The work of Corson on the question of a unified formulation of dynamics is discussed. (Author)

Nov 1, 19650 citations

A Note on Feynman-Kac Path Integral Representations for Scalar Wave Motions

WORLD SCIENTIFIC eBooksFeb 1, 20170 citations

On the approximation of Feynman-Kac path integrals for quantum statistical mechanics

Stephen Bond, Brian B. Laird, Benedict Leimkuhler

Discretizations of the Feynman-Kac path integral representation of the quantum mechanical density matrix are investigated. Each infinite-dimensional path integral is approximated by a Riemann integral over a finite-dimensional function space, by restricting the integration to a subspace of all admissible paths. Using this process, a wide class of methods can be derived, with each method corresponding to a different choice for the approximating subspace. The traditional ``short-time'' approximation and ``Fourier discretization'' can be recovered from this approach, using linear and spectral basis functions respectively. As an illustration, a novel method is formulated using cubic elements and is shown to have improved convergence properties when applied to a simple model problem.Discretizations of the Feynman-Kac path integral representation of the quantum mechanical density matrix are investigated. Each infinite-dimensional path integral is approximated by a Riemann integral over a finite-dimensional function space, by restricting the integration to a subspace of all admissible paths. Using this process, a wide class of methods can be derived, with each method corresponding to a different choice for the approximating subspace. The traditional ``short-time'' approximation and ``Fourier discretization'' can be recovered from this approach, using linear and spectral basis functions respectively. As an illustration, a novel method is formulated using cubic elements and is shown to have improved convergence properties when applied to a simple model problem.

arXiv:cond-mat/0007112Jul 6, 20000 citations

Feynman path integrals and quantum mechanics as h/→0

Aubrey Truman

When the space of paths is a certain Hilbert space H, we show how to extend the Feynman path integral ℱ of DeWitt and Albeverio and Hoegh-Krohn. Our extension enables us to integrate a wider class of functionals on H. We establish a new representation for the wavefunction in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics—the quasiclassical representation. Using our extension of ℱ and the quasiclassical representation, we discuss the problem of obtaining classical mechanics as the limiting case of quantum mechanics when h/→0.When the space of paths is a certain Hilbert space H, we show how to extend the Feynman path integral ℱ of DeWitt and Albeverio and Hoegh-Krohn. Our extension enables us to integrate a wider class of functionals on H. We establish a new representation for the wavefunction in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics—the quasiclassical representation. Using our extension of ℱ and the quasiclassical representation, we discuss the problem of obtaining classical mechanics as the limiting case of quantum mechanics when h/→0.

Journal of Mathematical PhysicsOct 1, 197661 citations

Path-integral evaluation of the space–time propagator for quadratic Hamiltonian systems

John T. Marshall, John L. Pell

Path-integral methods are used to derive an exact expression for the space–time propagator for systems with quadratic Hamiltonians. For a certain subclass of such systems, the result is reduced to a simplified closed form. The propagators for several illustrative elementary cases are exhibited in detail.

Journal of Mathematical PhysicsJul 1, 197917 citations

Remarks concerning functional integration on compact spaces

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Remarks concerning functional integration on compact spaces

Abstract

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