Fourier transforms of the von Neumann density operators could be regarded as functions on a Lie group whose infinitesimal generators correspond to dynamical variables characterizing a given quantum system. Called ``characteristic functions'' in this paper, they are discussed with a view to reformulating quantum statistical mechanics in a group-theoretical formalism. It is shown that these characteristic functions allow a universal differentiating procedure for calculating averages of arbitrary ordered noncommuting observables and satisfy the same criterion of non-negative definiteness as the Fourier transforms of the everywhere non-negative probability distribution (the characteristic functions in classical probability theory). The group-theoretical characteristic-function formalism is especially useful in providing easy reductions of the dynamics of complicated quantum systems to the evolutions of a set of quantum variables that are of particular interest. As examples of applications, the following results are derived: (a) a hierarchy of equations of motion for subsystems of a given N-body quantum system (a quantum analog of the Bogoliubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon hierarchy), (b) an equation of motion for centers of mass of two interacting quantum systems, and (c) the behavior of spin fluctuations of an ideal spin gas in the thermodynamic limit.
Fourier transforms of the von Neumann density operators could be regarded as functions on a Lie group whose infinitesimal generators correspond to dynamical variables characterizing a given quantum system. Called ``characteristic functions'' in this paper, they are discussed with a view to reformulating quantum statistical mechanics in a group-theoretical formalism. It is shown that these characteristic functions allow a universal differentiating procedure for calculating averages of arbitrary ordered noncommuting observables and satisfy the same criterion of non-negative definiteness as the Fourier transforms of the everywhere non-negative probability distribution (the characteristic functions in classical probability theory). The group-theoretical characteristic-function formalism is especially useful in providing easy reductions of the dynamics of complicated quantum systems to the evolutions of a set of quantum variables that are of particular interest. As examples of applications, the following results are derived: (a) a hierarchy of equations of motion for subsystems of a given N-body quantum system (a quantum analog of the Bogoliubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon hierarchy), (b) an equation of motion for centers of mass of two interacting quantum systems, and (c) the behavior of spin fluctuations of an ideal spin gas in the thermodynamic limit.
We show that the theory of quantum statistical mechanics is a special model in the framework of the quantum probability theory developed by mathematicians, by extending the characteristic function in the classical probability theory to the quantum probability theory. As dynamical variables of a quantum system must respect certain commutation relations, we take the group generated by a Lie algebra constructed with these commutation relations as the bridge, so that the classical characteristic function defined in a Euclidean space is transformed to a normalized, non-negative definite function defined in this group. Indeed, on the quantum side, this group-theoretical characteristic function is equivalent to the density matrix; hence, it can be adopted to represent the state of a quantum ensemble. It is also found that this new representation may have significant advantages in applications. As two examples, we show its effectiveness and convenience in solving the quantum-optical master equation for a harmonic oscillator coupled with its thermal environment, and in simulating the quantum cat map, a paradigmatic model for quantum chaos. Other related issues are reviewed and discussed as well.
The theory of quantum statistical mechanics is reviewed in the light of the quantum probability theory developed in recent years by mathematicians. We show that—which is our main motivation here—the former is a special model in the framework of the latter, by extending the characteristic function in the classical probability theory to the quantum probability theory based on the requirements of quantum statistical mechanics. We find that due to the fact that fundamental dynamical variables of a quantum system must respect certain commutation relations, one has to reform the classical characteristic function defined on a Euclidean space to a normalized, nonnegative definite function defined on a group which is generated by a Lie algebra formed from these commutation relations. Our key finding is that the group-theoretical characteristic function could be adopted to replace the density matrix commonly used in quantum statistical mechanics for representing a state of the quantum ensemble, and more than that, the new representation has some significant advantages in applications. To show its advantages compared with the conventional density matrix scenario, we illustrate its applications in: solving the master equation that describes the irreversible evolution of a quantum open system; determining the pointer states of a quantum open system; and expanding the density matrix with the pointer states. In particular, thanks to the quantum characteristic function, we are able to write down the solutions of the quantum-optical master equation explicitly, obtain its steady solutions and verify that the pointer states are exactly coherent states. Besides, the Caldeira-Leggett master equation for the quantum Brownian motion and its extension to the Lindblad type are also studied.
Statistical functions such as the moment-generating, characteristic, cumulant-generating, and second characteristic functions are standard tools in classical statistics and probability theory. They provide a systematic means to analyze the statistical properties of a system and find applications in diverse fields. While these functions are ubiquitous in classical theory, a quantum counterpart has remained underdeveloped because of the noncommutativity of operators. The absence of such a framework has obscured the connections between statistical quantities and the nonclassical features of quantum mechanics. Here, we construct a framework for quantum statistical functions that addresses these limitations and unifies the languages of quantum statistics. We show that the functions reproduce standard statistical quantities such as expectation values, variance, and covariance upon differentiation. By extending the framework to include pre- and post-selection, we define conditional functions that generate conditional statistical quantities, including the weak value and the weak variance. We further show that multivariable functions, defined with specific operator orderings, correspond to the Kirkwood--Dirac, Margenau--Hill, and Wigner distributions. By generalizing Bochner's theorem within the theory of compactly supported distributions, we obtain a criterion that separates classical statistics from quantum statistics, linking the failure of positive definiteness of the multivariable function to the emergence of quasiprobability. As an application, we import the classical method of moments and generalized method of moments into quantum estimation, introducing quantum estimators that exploit the proposed functions. Our framework reproduces quantum statistical quantities and incorporates the nonclassical features of quasiprobability, providing a basis for further study of quantum statistics.
The continuous-variable representation of the dynamic group is discussed in general terms, based on the differential of the group manifold. The unified formalism of various continuous-variable representations of the dynamic group is presented, and the essential common features of different continuous-variable representation theories are exploited from the general mathematical-physical point of view. The right-hand isomorphic representation and the left-hand anti-isomorphic representation of the dynamic group, and their relationship and physical implication are discussed in detail. Specialization of the general formalism to the function spaces of the group, based on both the Hilbert space of quantum-mechanical states and the von Neumann space of the quantum-statistical states (density matrices), leads to the results of both the generator coordinate approach to the dynamic-group representation and the generalized quantum characteristic function method. Techniques for calculating the continuous-variable representation of the group algebra are proposed and illustrated with the Lipkin SU(2), the Elliott SU(3), and its extension Sp(6) symmetries as examples. The results obtained for these dynamic groups are instructive for both physicists and mathematicians.
Starting from square-integrable wave functions on a Lie group, we build an invertible Fourier transform mapping them on wave functions on the dual of the Lie algebra. This is a group-theoretic version of the map from position space to momentum space, with generally noncommuting momenta owing to the group structure. As a result, the multiplication of momentum-dependent functions involves star products, which makes the construction of noncommutative Fourier series much more involved than that of their commutative cousin. This is especially true when compact subgroups are present, in which case we carefully take into account quotients of the operator algebra, and the resulting normalization issues. We show that our formalism provides an isometry of Hilbert spaces, and use it to derive a noncommutative Poisson summation formula for any compact Lie group. This is a key preliminary for the computation of Wigner functions and path integrals for quantum systems on group manifolds.
An attempt is made to interpret quantum mechanics as a statistical theory, or more exactly as a form of non-deterministic statistical dynamics. The paper falls into three parts. In the first, the distribution functions of the complete set of dynamical variables specifying a mechanical system (phase-space distributions), which are fundamental in any form of statistical dynamics, are expressed in terms of the wave vectors of quantum theory. This is shown to be equivalent to specifying a theory of functions of non-commuting operators, and may hence be considered as an interpretation of quantum kinematics . In the second part, the laws governing the transformation with time of these phase-space distributions are derived from the equations of motion of quantum dynamics and found to be of the required form for a dynamical stochastic process. It is shown that these phase-space transformation equations can be used as an alternative to the Schrödinger equation in the solution of quantum mechanical problems, such as the evolution with time of wave packets, collision problems and the calculation of transition probabilities in perturbed systems; an approximation method is derived for this purpose. The third part, quantum statistics , deals with the phase-space distribution of members of large assemblies, with a view to applications of quantum mechanics to kinetic theories of matter. Finally, the limitations of the theory, its uniqueness and the possibilities of experimental verification are discussed.