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

Time-evolution operator and Lie algebras

Francisco Marcelo Fernández

Published Jul 1, 1989• 38 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We discuss the Schr\"odinger equation with a time-dependent Hamiltonian that can be written as a linear combination of operators which span a finite-dimensional Lie algebra. The equations of motion for the operators in the Heisenberg representation are shown to be useful in calculating matrix elements and transition probabilities, as well as in obtaining the time-evolution operator. A general time-dependent one-dimensional bilinear Hamiltonian is considered as an illustrative example, and the product form for the time-evolution operator is shown to be global.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.40.41

Related papers

Equations of motion in quantum mechanics

Francisco Marcelo Fernández, Eduardo A. Castro

This chapter aims to develop an appropriate notation and to facilitate the subsequent discussion of the role played by the Lie algebras. It is unlikely that one manages to express a sufficiently realistic model only in terms of the operators that span a finite-dimensional Lie algebra, but it may be possible to simulate most of the relevant features of many physical phenomena by means of such simple models. The chapter discusses well-known approximate methods for the treatment of the time-evolution equation. If the Hamiltonian operator belongs to a finite-dimensional Lie algebra, then the differential equation for the time-evolution operator is easier to solve, and even the calculation of transition probabilities and expectation values of observables may be straightforward. The most relevant feature of this application of the Lie algebraic method is the occurrence of a matrix equation of finite dimension in contrast with the expansion in a basis set of state vectors, which typically leads to matrices of infinite dimension.

CRC Press eBooks•Jan 16, 2020•0 citations

On the time evolution operator for time-dependent quadratic Hamiltonians

Francisco Marcelo Fernández

The Schrödinger equation with a time-dependent quadratic Hamiltonian is investigated. The time-evolution operator is written as a product of exponential operators determined by the Heisenberg equations of motion. This product operator is shown to be global in the occupation number representation when the Hamiltonian is Hermitian. The success of some physical applications of the product-form representation is explained.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•Jul 1, 1989•7 citations

Invariants and Lie algebraic solutions of Schrödinger equation

Franco Salmistraro, Riccardo Rosso

A representation of invariants in quantum mechanics for a general time-dependent Hamiltonian is provided. The main properties of these operators and their relevance for solving the Schrödinger equation are discussed in light of this representation. In particular, the well-known Lewis and Riesenfeld’s method is shown to be recovered quite directly by the present approach. A detailed analysis is concerned with Hamiltonians which at each instant are elements of a finite dimensional Lie algebra. Exploiting the Wei and Norman’s theory for such Hamiltonians, it is found that the evolution of a quantum system is always determined, in part or fully, by an invariant which belongs to the same algebra.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•Sep 1, 1993•8 citations

Time evolution of two-dimensional quadratic Hamiltonians: A Lie algebraic approach

Victor Guadalupe Ibarra‐Sierra, Juan Carlos Sandoval-Santana, J. L. Cardoso +1 more

We develop a Lie algebraic approach to systematically calculate the evolution operator of the generalized two-dimensional quadratic Hamiltonian with time-dependent coefficients. Although the development of the Lie algebraic approach presented here is mainly motivated by the two-dimensional quadratic Hamiltonian, it may be applied to investigate the evolution operators of any Hamiltonian having a dynamical algebra with a large number of elements. We illustrate the method by finding the propagator and the Heisenberg picture position and momentum operators for a two-dimensional charge subject to uniform and constant electro-magnetic fields.

arXiv:1601.05359•Jan 20, 2016•0 citations

The Schrödinger and Heisenberg Representations: Time-Evolution Operator

Giancarlo Calvanese Strinati

This chapter introduces the Hamiltonian operator in the language of second quantization, which is associated with the many-particle system to be considered throughout, including its time-dependent part. An expression is derived for the corresponding time-evolution operator, which depends only on the Hamiltonian and not on the initial preparation of the system before the time-dependent part begins to act. The connection between the Schrödinger and Heisenberg representations is discussed.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•Feb 6, 2026•0 citations

Time-evolution operator and propagator for quadratic Hamiltonians

Francisco Marcelo Fernández

The time-evolution operator and the propagator for a general one-dimensional quadratic Hamiltonian are obtained. The method is based on the equations of motion for the coordinate and momentum in the Heisenberg representation and the problem is reduced to solving the classical equations of motion.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General•Mar 21, 1988•3 citations
We discuss the Schr"odinger equation with a time-dependent Hamiltonian that can be written as a linear combination of operators which span a finite-dimensional Lie algebra. The equations of motion for the operators in the Heisenberg representation are shown to be useful in calculating matrix elements and transition probabilities, as well as in obtaining the time-evolution operator. A general time-dependent one-dimensional bilinear Hamiltonian is considered as an illustrative example, and the product form for the time-evolution operator is shown to be global.
This chapter aims to develop an appropriate notation and to facilitate the subsequent discussion of the role played by the Lie algebras. It is unlikely that one manages to express a sufficiently realistic model only in terms of the operators that span a finite-dimensional Lie algebra, but it may be possible to simulate most of the relevant features of many physical phenomena by means of such simple models. The chapter discusses well-known approximate methods for the treatment of the time-evolution equation. If the Hamiltonian operator belongs to a finite-dimensional Lie algebra, then the differential equation for the time-evolution operator is easier to solve, and even the calculation of transition probabilities and expectation values of observables may be straightforward. The most relevant feature of this application of the Lie algebraic method is the occurrence of a matrix equation of finite dimension in contrast with the expansion in a basis set of state vectors, which typically leads to matrices of infinite dimension.
A representation of invariants in quantum mechanics for a general time-dependent Hamiltonian is provided. The main properties of these operators and their relevance for solving the Schrödinger equation are discussed in light of this representation. In particular, the well-known Lewis and Riesenfeld’s method is shown to be recovered quite directly by the present approach. A detailed analysis is concerned with Hamiltonians which at each instant are elements of a finite dimensional Lie algebra. Exploiting the Wei and Norman’s theory for such Hamiltonians, it is found that the evolution of a quantum system is always determined, in part or fully, by an invariant which belongs to the same algebra.
We develop a Lie algebraic approach to systematically calculate the evolution operator of the generalized two-dimensional quadratic Hamiltonian with time-dependent coefficients. Although the development of the Lie algebraic approach presented here is mainly motivated by the two-dimensional quadratic Hamiltonian, it may be applied to investigate the evolution operators of any Hamiltonian having a dynamical algebra with a large number of elements. We illustrate the method by finding the propagator and the Heisenberg picture position and momentum operators for a two-dimensional charge subject to uniform and constant electro-magnetic fields.