A classical statistical probability amplitude is introduced whose square modulus is the distribution function. This enables the analogy between classical statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics to be completed. The analogy is developed until quantum statistical derivations can be used in classical statistical mechanics. Two master equations are found: the classical equivalent of the Pauli Master Equation, and a generally valid master equation. Well-known classical equations are deduced from these in a special representation. Interference terms are found and discussed.
In this article it is shown that perturbative methods currently exploited in quantum mechanics can be used to treat a classical Liouville problem describing the evolution of an ensemble of noncollisional particles. The method discussed is based on the concepts of an evolution operator and interaction picture, which can be introduced for a classical Hamiltonian in full analogy with quantum mechanics. The usefulness of the developed method to treat the quantum extension of the Liouville equation is also stressed.