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

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General

Classical distribution functions derived from Wigner distribution functions

Gerhard Wilhelm Bund

Published Jul 7, 1995• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A mapping which relates the Wigner phase-space distribution function associated with a given stationary quantum-mechanical wavefunction to a specific solution of the time-independent Liouville transport equation is obtained. Two examples are studied.
DOI
10.1088/0305-4470/28/13/015

Related papers

Mapping Wigner distribution functions into semiclassical distribution functions

Gerhard Wilhelm Bund, M.C. Tijero

A mapping that relates the Wigner phase-space distribution function of a given stationary quantum mechanical wave function, a solution of the Schr\"odinger equation, to a specific solution of the Liouville equation, both subject to the same potential, is studied. By making this mapping, bound states are described by semiclassical distribution functions still depending on Planck's constant, whereas for elastic scattering of a particle by a potential they do not depend on it, the classical limit being reached in this case. Following this method, the mapped distributions of a particle bound in the P\"oschl-Teller potential and also in a modified oscillator potential are obtained.

Physical Review A•Apr 19, 2000•10 citations

The Statistical Mechanical Theory of Transport Processes. V. Quantum Hydrodynamics

J. H. Irving, Robert W. Zwanzig

This paper is concerned with certain extensions of a formal technique devised by Wigner for handling problems in quantum-statistical mechanics, especially to problems in quantum-mechanical transport processes. The approach is to find the closest possible analogy between classical and quantum-statistical mechanics, so that the extensive work in classical statistical mechanics can be utilized. This analogy is attained with the Wigner distribution function, with which averages of dynamical variables in quantum mechanics may be calculated by integrations in phase space. We will first state some basic properties of distribution functions in classical statistical mechanics, and then state the corresponding properties of the density matrix in quantum mechanics. We will define and discuss the Wigner distribution function, show that it has the desired averaging properties, and obtain the analog of the Liouville equation satisfied by this function. We will derive the analog of the Liouville equation in reduced phase space, and then obtain the equations of hydro-dynamics from quantum-statistical mechanics.

The Journal of Chemical Physics•Sep 1, 1951•127 citations

The Wigner representation of quantum mechanics

Valerian I. Tatarskii

Correct use of the Wigner representation of quantum mechanics, which is realized with joint distributions of quasiprobabilities in phase space, requires the use of certain specific rules and attention to a number of properties which distinguish the quasiprobability from a true probability. This paper is mainly concerned with these problems. In the Wigner representation the quantum Liouville equation appears instead of the Schroedinger equation. The solution may have no physical meaning unless it is subjected to a necessary and sufficient condition which selects an allowed class of distributions which describe quantum-mechanical pure states. This condition contains Planck's constant and imposes, besides the uncertainty relations, severe restrictions on the possible form of the Wigner function. When this condition is satisfied, one can reconstruct the wave function from the Wigner function. In the case of an oscillator, the quantization condition for the energies of the stationary states does not follow from the Liouville equation, but from this supplementary condition. Unlike the true probability density, any Wigner function (except Gaussian ones) of a pure state takes on negative values. Another important peculiarity is that the quasiprobability is not concentrated on certain hypersurfaces, but is smeared out over the entire phase space. These and other features considered in this paper should be kept in mind when using the Wigner representation in quantum-mechanical problems.

Soviet Physics Uspekhi•Apr 30, 1983•483 citations

On the conection between the Liouville equation and the Schrodinger equation

Edelver Carnovali, H. M. França

We derive a classical Schrodinger type equation from the classical Liouville equation in phase space. The derivation is based on a Wigner type Fourier transform of the classical phase space probability distribution, which depends on an arbitrary constant $α$ with dimension of action. In order to achieve this goal two requirements are necessary: 1) It is assumed that the classical probability amplitude $Ψ(x,t)$ can be expanded in a complete set of functions $Φ_n(x)$ defined in the configuration space; 2) the classical phase space distribution $W(x,p,t)$ obeys the Liouville equation and is a real function of the position, the momentum and the time. We show that the constant $α$ appearing in the Fourier transform of the classical phase space distribution, and also in the classical Schrodinger type equation, has its origin in the spectral distribution of the vacuum zero-point radiation, and is identified with the Planck's constant $\hbar$.

arXiv:quant-ph/0512049•Dec 6, 2005•3 citations

On quantum mechanical phase-space wave functions

Joachim J. Wl odarz

An approach to quantum mechanics based on the notion of a phase-space wave function is proposed within the Weyl–Wigner–Moyal representation. It is shown that the Schrödinger equation for the phase-space wave function is equivalent to the quantum Liouville equation for the Wigner distribution function. The relationship to the recent results by Torres-Vega and Frederick [J. Chem. Phys. 98, 3103 (1993)] is also discussed.

The Journal of Chemical Physics•May 15, 1994•23 citations

Operator equation of motion in phase space: Application to time-dependent systems possessing invariants

Swapan Kumar Ghosh, Asish Kumar Dhara

We have derived an equation of motion for a Wigner operator in phase space, which is the phase-space analog of the Heisenberg equation of motion for a quantum-mechanical operator. An application of this operator equation to time-dependent systems possessing invariants is considered, and the solution for the corresponding Wigner phase-space distribution function is obtained.

Physical Review A•Jul 1, 1991•4 citations
A mapping that relates the Wigner phase-space distribution function of a given stationary quantum mechanical wave function, a solution of the Schr\"odinger equation, to a specific solution of the Liouville equation, both subject to the same potential, is studied. By making this mapping, bound states are described by semiclassical distribution functions still depending on Planck's constant, whereas for elastic scattering of a particle by a potential they do not depend on it, the classical limit being reached in this case. Following this method, the mapped distributions of a particle bound in the P\"oschl-Teller potential and also in a modified oscillator potential are obtained.
This paper is concerned with certain extensions of a formal technique devised by Wigner for handling problems in quantum-statistical mechanics, especially to problems in quantum-mechanical transport processes. The approach is to find the closest possible analogy between classical and quantum-statistical mechanics, so that the extensive work in classical statistical mechanics can be utilized. This analogy is attained with the Wigner distribution function, with which averages of dynamical variables in quantum mechanics may be calculated by integrations in phase space. We will first state some basic properties of distribution functions in classical statistical mechanics, and then state the corresponding properties of the density matrix in quantum mechanics. We will define and discuss the Wigner distribution function, show that it has the desired averaging properties, and obtain the analog of the Liouville equation satisfied by this function. We will derive the analog of the Liouville equation in reduced phase space, and then obtain the equations of hydro-dynamics from quantum-statistical mechanics.
Correct use of the Wigner representation of quantum mechanics, which is realized with joint distributions of quasiprobabilities in phase space, requires the use of certain specific rules and attention to a number of properties which distinguish the quasiprobability from a true probability. This paper is mainly concerned with these problems. In the Wigner representation the quantum Liouville equation appears instead of the Schroedinger equation. The solution may have no physical meaning unless it is subjected to a necessary and sufficient condition which selects an allowed class of distributions which describe quantum-mechanical pure states. This condition contains Planck's constant and imposes, besides the uncertainty relations, severe restrictions on the possible form of the Wigner function. When this condition is satisfied, one can reconstruct the wave function from the Wigner function. In the case of an oscillator, the quantization condition for the energies of the stationary states does not follow from the Liouville equation, but from this supplementary condition. Unlike the true probability density, any Wigner function (except Gaussian ones) of a pure state takes on negative values. Another important peculiarity is that the quasiprobability is not concentrated on certain hypersurfaces, but is smeared out over the entire phase space. These and other features considered in this paper should be kept in mind when using the Wigner representation in quantum-mechanical problems.
We derive a classical Schrodinger type equation from the classical Liouville equation in phase space. The derivation is based on a Wigner type Fourier transform of the classical phase space probability distribution, which depends on an arbitrary constant ααα with dimension of action. In order to achieve this goal two requirements are necessary: 1) It is assumed that the classical probability amplitude Ψ(x,t)Ψ(x,t)Ψ(x,t) can be expanded in a complete set of functions Φn(x)Φ_n(x)Φn​(x) defined in the configuration space; 2) the classical phase space distribution W(x,p,t)W(x,p,t)W(x,p,t) obeys the Liouville equation and is a real function of the position, the momentum and the time. We show that the constant ααα appearing in the Fourier transform of the classical phase space distribution, and also in the classical Schrodinger type equation, has its origin in the spectral distribution of the vacuum zero-point radiation, and is identified with the Planck's constant ℏ\hbarℏ.