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

Physical Review A

Quantum theory of rotation angles

Stephen Mark Barnett, David Thomas Pegg

Published Apr 1, 1990• 159 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The formulation of the quantum description of the rotation angle of the plane rotator has been beset by many of the long-standing problems associated with harmonic-oscillator phases. We apply methods recently developed for oscillator phases to the problem of describing a rotation angle by a Hermitian operator. These methods involve use of a finite, but arbitrarily large, state space of dimension 2l+1 that is used to calculate physically measurable quantum properties, such as expectation values, as a function l. Physical results are then recovered in the limit as l tends to infinity. This approach removes the indeterminacies caused by working directly with an infinite-dimensional state space. Our results show that the classical rotation angle observable does have a corresponding Hermitian operator with well-determined and reasonable properties. The existence of this operator provides deeper insight into the quantum-mechanical nature of rotating systems.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.41.3427

Related papers

Quantum formulation of angle and orbital angular momentum

Jörg B. Götte, Stephen Mark Barnett

The quantum mechanical description of the azimuthal rotation angle and the orbital angular momentum around the polar axis differs greatly from the description of position and momentum. This has led to a controversy over the existence of a self-adjoint angle operator in the literature. It is possible to circumvent the problems of defining a self-adjoint operator for a periodic variable by using trigonometric functions of operators as a basis for the quantum mechanical description. This approach, however, does not allow us to study the properties of the angle operator itself. By using a state space of an arbitrarily large yet finite number of dimensions, it is possible to introduce angle and orbital angular momentum as a conjugate pair of variables both represented by Hermitian matrices. After physical and measurable quantities have been calculated in this state space the number of dimensions is allowed to tend to infinity in a limiting procedure. The first part of this chapter reviews the difficulties associated with the quantum mechanical formulation of angle and orbital angular momentum and presents a way to overcome these problems using a finite-dimensional state space. In the second part this formulation is generalised to include the phenomenon of non-integer orbital angular momentum. This part is based on a chapter of the PhD thesis of Götte [1], where further details may be found. Introduction The correct description of a periodic variable such as a rotation angle or the optical phase has been a long standing problem in quantum mechanics. At the root of the problem is the question of whether the variable itself is restricted in a 2 π radian range or whether it evolves continuously without bound.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•Nov 8, 2012•2 citations

Phase and Angle Variables in Quantum Mechanics

Peter Carruthers, Michael Martin Nieto

The quantum-mechanical description of phase and angle variables is reviewed, with emphasis on the proper mathematical description of these coordinates. The relations among the operators and state vectors under consideration are clarified in the context of the Heisenberg uncertainty relations. The familiar case of the azimuthal angle variable $\ensuremath{\phi}$ and its "conjugate" angular momentum ${L}_{z}$ is discussed. Various pitfalls associated with the periodicity problem are avoided by employing periodic variables ($sin\ensuremath{\phi}$ and $cos\ensuremath{\phi}$ to describe the phase variable. Well-defined uncertainty relations are derived and discussed. A detailed analysis of the three-dimensional harmonic oscillator excited in coherent states is given. A detailed analysis of the simple harmonic oscillator is given. The usual assumption that a (Hermitian) phase operator $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ (conjugate to the number operator $N$) exists is shown to be erroneous. However, cosine and sine operators $C$ and $S$ exist and are the appr\'opriate phase variables. A Poisson bracket argument using action-angle (rather $J$, $cos\ensuremath{\varphi}$, $sin\ensuremath{\varphi}$) variables is used to deduce $C$ and $S$. The spectra and eigenfunctions of these operators are investigated, along with the important "phase-difference" periodic variables. The properties of the oscillator variables in the various types of states are analyzed with special attention to the uncertainty relations and the transition to the classical limit. The utility of coherent states as a basis for the description of the evolution of the density matrix is emphasized. In this basis it is easy to identify the classical Liouville equation in action-angle variables along with quantum-mechanical "corrections." Mention is made of possible physical applications to superfluid systems.

Reviews of Modern Physics•Apr 1, 1968•1,108 citations

The Weyl Quantization of Phase Angle

T.B. Smith, Daniel A. Dubin, Mark A. Hennings

We suggest a candidate for a non-canonical Hermitian operator corresponding to phase angle, based on the Weyl correspondence rule. The matrix elements of this operator, for harmonic oscillator number states, coincide, in the correspondence limit, with those of a phase operator proposed by Barnett and Pegg, when the dimension of their defining space becomes infinite.

Journal of Modern Optics•Aug 1, 1992•21 citations

On matrix elements of phase-angular momentum commutator in Hilbert space of arbitrary dimensions

Ramandeep S. Johal

We discuss correspondence between the predictions of quantum theories for rotation angle formulated in infinite and finite dimensional Hilbert spaces, taking as example, the calculation of matrix elements of phase-angular momentum commutator. A new derivation of the matrix elements is presented in infinite space, making use of a unitary transformation that maps from the state space of periodic functions to non-periodic functions, over which the spectrum of angular momentum operator is in general, fractional. The approach can be applied to finite dimensional Hilbert space also, for which identical matrix elements are obtained.

arXiv:quant-ph/0201090•Jan 21, 2002•0 citations

Expectation values and uncertainties of radial and angular variables for a three-dimensional coherent oscillator

Rainer W. Hasse

Calculates expectation values and uncertainties of the radial coordinate and momentum, and the azimuthal angle and angular momentum components for a three-dimensional harmonic oscillator in a coherent state. The operators corresponding to powers of the angular variable are defined by their Fourier expansions. For large distances of the particle from the origin, where the oscillator becomes classical, radial and angular uncertainty products approach the value h(cross)/ square root 2, except for the point of discontinuity, where the angular uncertainty becomes infinite. For small distances, where the oscillator tends to its quantum ground state, the radial uncertainty stays finite and the angular uncertainty product tends to zero. It is also shown that the concept of a polar momentum operator is meaningless.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General•Nov 1, 1980•2 citations

PSEUDO-HERMITIAN REPRESENTATION OF QUANTUM MECHANICS

ALI MOSTAFAZADEH

A diagonalizable non-Hermitian Hamiltonian having a real spectrum may be used to define a unitary quantum system, if one modifies the inner product of the Hilbert space properly. We give a comprehensive and essentially self-contained review of the basic ideas and techniques responsible for the recent developments in this subject. We provide a critical assessment of the role of the geometry of the Hilbert space in conventional quantum mechanics to reveal the basic physical principle motivating our study. We then offer a survey of the necessary mathematical tools, present their utility in establishing a lucid and precise formulation of a unitary quantum theory based on a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian, and elaborate on a number of relevant issues of fundamental importance. In particular, we discuss the role of the antilinear symmetries such as [Formula: see text], the true meaning and significance of the so-called charge operators [Formula: see text] and the [Formula: see text]-inner products, the nature of the physical observables, the equivalent description of such models using ordinary Hermitian quantum mechanics, the pertaining duality between local-non-Hermitian versus nonlocal-Hermitian descriptions of their dynamics, the corresponding classical systems, the pseudo-Hermitian canonical quantization scheme, various methods of calculating the (pseudo-) metric operators, subtleties of dealing with time-dependent quasi-Hermitian Hamiltonians and the path-integral formulation of the theory, and the structure of the state space and its ramifications for the quantum Brachistochrone problem. We also explore some concrete physical applications and manifestations of the abstract concepts and tools that have been developed in the course of this investigation. These include applications in nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, quantum cosmology, electromagnetic wave propagation, open quantum systems, magnetohydrodynamics, quantum chaos and biophysics.

arXiv:0810.5643•International Journal of Geometric Methods in Modern Physics•Nov 1, 2010•941 citations
The formulation of the quantum description of the rotation angle of the plane rotator has been beset by many of the long-standing problems associated with harmonic-oscillator phases. We apply methods recently developed for oscillator phases to the problem of describing a rotation angle by a Hermitian operator. These methods involve use of a finite, but arbitrarily large, state space of dimension 2l+1 that is used to calculate physically measurable quantum properties, such as expectation values, as a function l. Physical results are then recovered in the limit as l tends to infinity. This approach removes the indeterminacies caused by working directly with an infinite-dimensional state space. Our results show that the classical rotation angle observable does have a corresponding Hermitian operator with well-determined and reasonable properties. The existence of this operator provides deeper insight into the quantum-mechanical nature of rotating systems.
The quantum mechanical description of the azimuthal rotation angle and the orbital angular momentum around the polar axis differs greatly from the description of position and momentum. This has led to a controversy over the existence of a self-adjoint angle operator in the literature. It is possible to circumvent the problems of defining a self-adjoint operator for a periodic variable by using trigonometric functions of operators as a basis for the quantum mechanical description. This approach, however, does not allow us to study the properties of the angle operator itself. By using a state space of an arbitrarily large yet finite number of dimensions, it is possible to introduce angle and orbital angular momentum as a conjugate pair of variables both represented by Hermitian matrices. After physical and measurable quantities have been calculated in this state space the number of dimensions is allowed to tend to infinity in a limiting procedure. The first part of this chapter reviews the difficulties associated with the quantum mechanical formulation of angle and orbital angular momentum and presents a way to overcome these problems using a finite-dimensional state space. In the second part this formulation is generalised to include the phenomenon of non-integer orbital angular momentum. This part is based on a chapter of the PhD thesis of Götte [1], where further details may be found. Introduction The correct description of a periodic variable such as a rotation angle or the optical phase has been a long standing problem in quantum mechanics. At the root of the problem is the question of whether the variable itself is restricted in a 2 π radian range or whether it evolves continuously without bound.
The quantum-mechanical description of phase and angle variables is reviewed, with emphasis on the proper mathematical description of these coordinates. The relations among the operators and state vectors under consideration are clarified in the context of the Heisenberg uncertainty relations. The familiar case of the azimuthal angle variable $\ensuremath{\phi}$ and its "conjugate" angular momentum Lz{L}_{z}Lz​ is discussed. Various pitfalls associated with the periodicity problem are avoided by employing periodic variables ($sin\ensuremath{\phi}$ and $cos\ensuremath{\phi}$ to describe the phase variable. Well-defined uncertainty relations are derived and discussed. A detailed analysis of the three-dimensional harmonic oscillator excited in coherent states is given. A detailed analysis of the simple harmonic oscillator is given. The usual assumption that a (Hermitian) phase operator $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ (conjugate to the number operator NNN) exists is shown to be erroneous. However, cosine and sine operators CCC and SSS exist and are the appr\'opriate phase variables. A Poisson bracket argument using action-angle (rather JJJ, $cos\ensuremath{\varphi}$, $sin\ensuremath{\varphi}$) variables is used to deduce CCC and SSS. The spectra and eigenfunctions of these operators are investigated, along with the important "phase-difference" periodic variables. The properties of the oscillator variables in the various types of states are analyzed with special attention to the uncertainty relations and the transition to the classical limit. The utility of coherent states as a basis for the description of the evolution of the density matrix is emphasized. In this basis it is easy to identify the classical Liouville equation in action-angle variables along with quantum-mechanical "corrections." Mention is made of possible physical applications to superfluid systems.
We discuss correspondence between the predictions of quantum theories for rotation angle formulated in infinite and finite dimensional Hilbert spaces, taking as example, the calculation of matrix elements of phase-angular momentum commutator. A new derivation of the matrix elements is presented in infinite space, making use of a unitary transformation that maps from the state space of periodic functions to non-periodic functions, over which the spectrum of angular momentum operator is in general, fractional. The approach can be applied to finite dimensional Hilbert space also, for which identical matrix elements are obtained.
Calculates expectation values and uncertainties of the radial coordinate and momentum, and the azimuthal angle and angular momentum components for a three-dimensional harmonic oscillator in a coherent state. The operators corresponding to powers of the angular variable are defined by their Fourier expansions. For large distances of the particle from the origin, where the oscillator becomes classical, radial and angular uncertainty products approach the value h(cross)/ square root 2, except for the point of discontinuity, where the angular uncertainty becomes infinite. For small distances, where the oscillator tends to its quantum ground state, the radial uncertainty stays finite and the angular uncertainty product tends to zero. It is also shown that the concept of a polar momentum operator is meaningless.
A diagonalizable non-Hermitian Hamiltonian having a real spectrum may be used to define a unitary quantum system, if one modifies the inner product of the Hilbert space properly. We give a comprehensive and essentially self-contained review of the basic ideas and techniques responsible for the recent developments in this subject. We provide a critical assessment of the role of the geometry of the Hilbert space in conventional quantum mechanics to reveal the basic physical principle motivating our study. We then offer a survey of the necessary mathematical tools, present their utility in establishing a lucid and precise formulation of a unitary quantum theory based on a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian, and elaborate on a number of relevant issues of fundamental importance. In particular, we discuss the role of the antilinear symmetries such as [Formula: see text], the true meaning and significance of the so-called charge operators [Formula: see text] and the [Formula: see text]-inner products, the nature of the physical observables, the equivalent description of such models using ordinary Hermitian quantum mechanics, the pertaining duality between local-non-Hermitian versus nonlocal-Hermitian descriptions of their dynamics, the corresponding classical systems, the pseudo-Hermitian canonical quantization scheme, various methods of calculating the (pseudo-) metric operators, subtleties of dealing with time-dependent quasi-Hermitian Hamiltonians and the path-integral formulation of the theory, and the structure of the state space and its ramifications for the quantum Brachistochrone problem. We also explore some concrete physical applications and manifestations of the abstract concepts and tools that have been developed in the course of this investigation. These include applications in nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, quantum cosmology, electromagnetic wave propagation, open quantum systems, magnetohydrodynamics, quantum chaos and biophysics.