Dynamics in the state space and Heisenberg equations

Boris Leaf

The Weyl transform is applied in quantum dynamics to derive and extend Moyal's statistical theory of phase-space distributions for noncommuting coordinate and momentum operators. The distinction is made between Weyl transforms in Schrödinger and Heisenberg pictures; the general case of time-dependent Hamiltonians is considered. The Wigner function for the probability distribution in a phase space of Cartesian coordinates Q and momenta K propagates according to a conditional probability P(t, Q, K | t0, Q0, K0), which is exhibited as a Feynman path integral in phase space. Properties of P(t, Q, K | t0, Q0, K0) are developed; it is expressed in terms of the quantum generalization of the classical Liouville operator. The Weyl transform of a Heisenberg operator propagates according to P(t, Q0, K0 | t0, Q, K) which is also given as a Feynman path integral. An equation for the time evolution of Weyl transforms of Heisenberg operators is obtained, according to which the transform of Heisenberg coordinate and momentum operators obey a quantum form of Hamilton's equations of motion. If the initial density operator of the system commutes with the coordinate operator, then the state of the system is a mixture of pure coordinate states; the spectrum of the density operator in this case is continuous. For a Heisenberg operator AH(t) with Weyl transform AH(t, Q, K), the function A(t,Q)=∫dKAH(t,Q,K) is the expectation at time t of the dynamical property for a quantum system initially in a pure state of coordinate Q; it is the quantum-mechanical generalization of the dynamical property of the system along the classical trajectory in configuration space at time t. The probability amplitude for the time dependence of A(t,Q) can be expressed as a Feynman path integral with a Heisenberg Lagrangian. The amplitude of the conditional probability P(t, Q | t0, Q0) considered by Feynman is expressed as a path integral with a Schrödinger Lagrangian. The velocity in the Heisenberg Lagrangian is the negative of that in the Schrödinger Lagrangian of Feynman, but it agrees with the velocity appearing in the Hamiltonian equations. It is the Heisenberg Lagrangian that is the Lagrangian of classical dynamics. For a particle whose potential energy is a function of position, a quantum form of Newton's second law is obtained. An extension of the formalism to non-Cartesian coordinate systems is given.

Martin Ziegler, Benno Fuchssteiner

Bei Jia, Xi-guo Lee

In this paper we propose the idea that there is a corresponding relation between quantum states and points of the complex projective space, given that the number of dimensions of the Hilbert space is finite. We check this idea through analyzing some of the basic principles and concepts of quantum mechanics, including the principle of superposition, representations and inner product of quantum states, and give some interesting examples. Based on our point of views we are able to generate the evolution equation of quantum states -- the Heisenberg equation. We also discuss the act of dynamical operators on quantum states.

Brian P. Anderson

Stephen G. Low

The Hilbert space of the unitary irreducible representations of a Lie group that is a quantum dynamical group are identified with the quantum state space. Hermitian representation of the algebra are observables. The eigenvalue equations for the representation of the set of Casimir invariant operators define the field equations of the system. A general class of dynamical groups are semidirect products K *s N for which the representations are given by Mackey's theory. The homogeneous group K must be a subgroup of the automorphisms of the normal group N. The archetype dynamical group is the Poincare group. The field equations defined by the representations of the Casimir operators define the basic equations of physics; Klein-Gordon, Dirac, Maxwell and so forth. This paper explores a more general dynamical group candidate that is also a semi-direct product but where the 'translation' normal subgroup N is now the Heisenberg group. The relevant automorphisms of the Heisenberg group are the symplectic group. This together with the requirement for an orthogonal metric leads to the pseudo-unitary group for the homogeneous group K. The physical meaning and motivation of this group, called the quaplectic group, is presented and the Hermitian irreducible representations of the algebra are determined. As with the Poincare group, choice of the group defines the Hilbert space of representations that are identified with quantum particle states. The field equations that are the eigenvalue equations for the representation of the Casimir operators, are obtained and investigated. The theory embodies the Born reciprocity principle and a new relativity principle.

I. M. Burban