Self-adjointness of momentum operators in generalized coordinates

Gary R. Gruber

S. J. van Enk, D. Steck

Making use of the simple fact that all separable complex Hilbert spaces of given dimension are isomorphic, we show that there are just six basic ways to define generalized coordinate operators in quantum mechanics. In each case, a canonically conjugate generalized momentum operator can be defined, but it may not be self-adjoint. Even in those cases, we show there is always either a self-adjoint extension of the operator or a Neumark extension of the Hilbert space that produces a self-adjoint momentum operator. In one of the six cases, both extensions work, thus leading to seven basic pairs of coordinate and momentum operators. We also show why there are more ways of defining basic coordinate and momentum measurements. A special role is reserved for measurements that simultaneously but imperfectly measure both.

Alexander J. Silenko

Hamiltonians in the geveralized Feshbach-Villars and Foldy-Wouthuysen representations describing an interaction of a scalar particle with electromagnetic fields in the Minkowski spacetime are self-adjoint and Hermitian (or pseudo-Hermitian) when they are presented in terms of operators of covariant derivatives. When one uses curvilinear coordinates in special relativity, the transition to the canonical momentum operator does not change these properties. When the curvilinear coordinates are applied in general relativity, the corresponding transition to the canonical momentum operator leads to the seeming non- Hermiticity of the Hamiltonians. Since the Hamiltonians remain in fact Hermitian, this seeming non-Hermiticity should not be eliminated by any nonunitary transformation.

Makoto Kato

Gary R. Gruber

Natig M. Atakishiyev, Anatoli U. Klimyk

We elaborate on the Macfarlane–Biedenharn q-oscillator when q>1. In this case the position operator Q = a†+a and the momentum operator P = i(a†-a) are symmetric, but not self-adjoint. For this reason, one cannot specify spectra of Q and P. Since these operators have one-parameter families of self-adjoint extensions with different spectra, the common definition of such q-oscillator is not complete. We derive an action of Q and P (as well as of the related Hamiltonian) upon functions given on the corresponding coordinate spaces, on which Q and P are self-adjoint operators. To each self-adjoint extension of Q there corresponds an appropriate coordinate space (a spectrum of this self-adjoint extension). Thus, for every fixed q>1 one obtains a one-parameter family of non-equivalent q-oscillators in their coordinate spaces.