This paper discusses an application to the study of dynamics of the typical overcomplete, non-independent sets of unit vectors that characterize continuous-representation theory. It is shown in particular that the conventional, classical Hamiltonian dynamical formalism arises from an analysis of quantum dynamics restricted to an overcomplete, nonindependent set of vectors which lie in one-to-one correspondence with, and are labeled by, points in phase space. A generalized ``classical'' mechanics is then defined by the extremal of the quantum-mechanical action functional with respect to a restricted set of unit vectors whose c-number labels become the dynamical variables. This kind of ``classical'' formalism is discussed in some generality, and is applied not only to simple single-particle problems, but also to finite-spin degrees of freedom and to fermion field oscillators. These latter cases are examples of an important class of problems called exact, for which a study of the classical dynamics alone is sufficient to infer the correct quantum dynamics.
This paper discusses an application to the study of dynamics of the typical overcomplete, non-independent sets of unit vectors that characterize continuous-representation theory. It is shown in particular that the conventional, classical Hamiltonian dynamical formalism arises from an analysis of quantum dynamics restricted to an overcomplete, nonindependent set of vectors which lie in one-to-one correspondence with, and are labeled by, points in phase space. A generalized classical'' mechanics is then defined by the extremal of the quantum-mechanical action functional with respect to a restricted set of unit vectors whose c-number labels become the dynamical variables. This kind of classical'' formalism is discussed in some generality, and is applied not only to simple single-particle problems, but also to finite-spin degrees of freedom and to fermion field oscillators. These latter cases are examples of an important class of problems called exact, for which a study of the classical dynamics alone is sufficient to infer the correct quantum dynamics.
The form of Schrödinger's equation in a continuous representation is indicated for general systems and analyzed in detail for elementary Bose and Fermi systems for which illustrative solutions are given. For any system, a natural continuous representation exists in which state vectors are expressed as continuous, bounded functions of the corresponding classical variables. The natural continuous representation is generated by a suitable set 𝔖 of unit vectors labeled by classical variables for which, for the system in question, the quantum action functional restricted to the domain 𝔖 is equivalent to the classical action. When a classical action is viewed in this manner it contains considerable information about the quantum system. Augmenting the classical action with some physical significance of its variables, we prove that the classical theory virtually determines the quantum theory for the Bose system, while it uniquely determines the quantum theory for the Fermi system.
In a continuous representation of Hilbert space, each vector ψ is represented by a complex, continuous, bounded function ψ(φ) ≡ (φ, ψ) defined on a set S of continuously many, nonindependent unit vectors φ having rather special properties: Each vector in S possesses an arbitrarily close neighboring vector, and the identity operator is expressable as an integral over projections onto individual vectors in S. In particular cases it is convenient to introduce labels for the vectors in S whereupon each ψ is represented by a complex, continuous, bounded, label-space function. Basic properties common to all continuous representations are presented, and some applications of the general formalism are indicated.
General structural features of dynamical theories can be exhibited in relations between classical and quantum mechanics; the essential structure is a Lie algebra of basic dynamical-variable fanctions providing transformationgroup infinitesimal generators. It is shown that the particular representation chosen is not important for the dynamical structure analysis by considering possibilities of transcribing classical and quantum mechanics each into the natural representation of the other. This leads to an outlining of the formal theory of generalized dynamics by constructing a class of Lie algebras including those of classical and quantum mechanics as special cases. (L.N.N.)
We start by rewriting classical mechanics in a quantum mechanical fashion and point out that the only difference with quantum theory re- sides at one point. There is a classical analogon of the collapse of the wavefunction and an extension of the usual Born rule is proposed which might solve this problem. We work only with algebra’s over the real (com- plex) numbers, general number fields of finite characteristic allowing for finite dimensional representations of the commutation relations are not considered given that such fields are not well ordered and do not give rise to a well defined probability interpretation. Our theory generalizes however to discrete spacetimes and finite dimensional algebra’s. Looking at physics this way, spacetime itself distinguishes itself algebraically by means of well chosen commutation relations and there is further nothing special about it meaning it has also a particle interpretation just like any other dynamical variable. Likewise, there is no reason for the dynamics to be Hamiltonian and therefore we have a nonconservative formulation of quantum physics at hand. The harmonic oscillator (amongst few oth- ers) distinguishes itself because the algebra forms a finite dimensional Lie algebra; the classical and quantum (discrete) harmonic oscillator are stud- ied in a some more generality and examples are given which are neither classical, nor quantum.
It is shown that application of the time-dependent variational principle to trial wave functions of a particular form results in a description of the quantum system as a classical system consisting of two mutually interacting parts: the ordinary classical analog of the quantum system and a (generally finite) number of additional degrees of freedom. This holds out the prospect of simulating quantum dynamics by coupling the corresponding classical system to additional degrees of freedom, and it is pointed out that such calculations have, in effect, already been performed. Since the trial wave functions that qualify for this treatment may be arbitrarily accurate, there is no limitation to the accuracy of the resulting classical description. In a particular case, the canonical coordinates and momenta for all degrees of freedom of the overall classical system are identified and investigated. In general, certain parameters appearing in the trial wave functions treated in this work may become redundant at certain times, leading to singularities in the Hamiltonian equations of motion. It is shown, however, that in certain such cases, a classical formalism for the quantum dynamics remains valid if the Hamiltonian function is suitably modified. Calculations applying the present Hamiltonian formalism are carried out that demonstrate that it has better convergence properties than an alternative, nonvariational, Hamiltonian technique suggested by previous work. These numerical studies also suggest that the observed spreading of wave packets and development of complicated structure in wave functions may be interpreted classically in terms of energy transfer among the various degrees of freedom in the overall classical system.
Although• quantum mechanics has achieved great success in the explanation of physical phenomena, the mathematics used in quantum mechanics is not rigorous.Unrigorous treatments occur in the case of continuous spectrum.In a Hilbert • space, let A be a self-adjoint operator.When we define the eigenvalue and the eigenelement by the ' ' relation Af=J.f, (1) ' ' h d -. -f(q)=).f(q)2m dq has solutions 2,ri f(q)=ce"Aq for any ;.., But these are not quadratically integrable.E. Hellinger and H. Weyi< 0 have already investigated the problem of continuous spectrum and introduced the " eigendifferential."But they are concerned with a special problem, i. e. bounded quadratic forms and solutions of differential equation.In respect of generality, they do not satisfy.< 2 > E. Fues< 3 > and some other writers<" have used this conception " eigendifferential " in quantum mechanics.But the treatments are either complicated or not rigorous.J. v. Neumann< 5 > has proved that in Hilbert space, for any selfadjoint operator A, there exists a resolution of identity E(;..) such that Af= J:and he has applied this theory to quantum mechanics.Although his theory gave a rigorous mathematical foundation to quantum mechanics, it did not give any interpretation to the representation theory of Dirac's form.Recently I investigated the "theory of vector-valued set functions."This theory removes the difficulties in the treatement of continuous spectrum, and gives a rigorous interpretation to the representation theory.< 5 > The vector-valued set function q(U) is a function of set U, and its functional value is an element (vector) in the Hilbert ,space, (1) E. Hellinger [l], 231-271.H. Weyl [1], 238-251.(2) T. Carlemann used this conception "eigendifferential" in the treatise of singular integral equations.Cf.T. Carlemann [1].(3) E. Fues [1], 295-303.(4) For example, L. de Broglie [2], 140-159.(5) J. v. Neumann [1], 53-121.(6) F. Maeda [2], [5], [6].A summary of the theory of vector-valued set functions is given in the first part Qf the present paper.(1) G. Temple has formulated a principle of quantum theory in which projective operators are given priority over self-adjoint operators.(C(.G. Temple [1)).But. the .whole discussion differs from that of my present paper.