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Physical review. D. Particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology/Physical review. D. Particles and fields

Hamilton-Jacobi/action-angle quantum mechanics

Robert A. Leacock, Michael J. Padgett

Published Nov 15, 1983• 150 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A quantum mechanics is constructed which is patterned on classical Hamilton-Jacobi theory. The dynamical basis of the theory is a quantum Hamilton-Jacobi equation with accompanying physical boundary conditions. Basic objects of the formulation are quantum Hamilton's principal and characteristic functions. As an application of the formalism a theory of quantum action-angle variables is set up. The central feature of this theory is the definition of the quantum action variable which permits the determination of the bound-state energy levels without solving the dynamical equation.

DOI
10.1103/physrevd.28.2491

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A quantum mechanics is constructed which is patterned on classical Hamilton-Jacobi theory. The dynamical basis of the theory is a quantum Hamilton-Jacobi equation with accompanying physical boundary conditions. Basic objects of the formulation are quantum Hamilton's principal and characteristic functions. As an application of the formalism a theory of quantum action-angle variables is set up. The central feature of this theory is the definition of the quantum action variable which permits the determination of the bound-state energy levels without solving the dynamical equation.
Abstract The Hamilton-Jacobi theory is the apotheosis of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics: action functions encode all of the possible trajectories of a mechanical system satisfying certain criteria. These action functions are the solutions of a nonlinear, first-order partial differential equation, called the Hamilton-Jacobi equation. The characteristic equations of this differential equation are the extended Hamilton equations. Solution of a class of mechanics problems is thus reduced to the solution of a single partial differential equation. Aside from its use as a problem-solving tool, the Hamilton-Jacobi theory has particular importance because of its close relation to the Schroedinger formulation of quantum mechanics. This chapter discusses the connection between the Hamilton-Jacobi theory and the Schroedinger formulation, the Bohm hidden variable model and Feynman path integral method that are derived from it, Hamilton’s characteristic equations, complete integrals, separation of variables, canonical transformations, general integrals, mono-energetic integrals, relativistic Hamilton-Jacobi equation, quantum Cauchy problem, quantum mechanics, and classical mechanics.
Abstract This chapter focuses on the Hamilton-Jacobi theory, the apotheosis of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. Action functions encode all of the possible trajectories of a mechanical system satisfying certain criteria, and are the solutions of a non-linear, first-order partial differential equation called the Hamilton-Jacobi equation. The characteristic equations of this differential equation are the extended Hamilton equations. An entire class of mechanics problems is thus reduced to the solution of a single partial differential equation. Aside from its use as a problem solving tool, the Hamilton-Jacobi theory has particular importance because of its close relation to the Schroedinger formulation of quantum mechanics. This connection is discussed in detail in the chapter, together with the Bohm hidden variable model and Feynman path integral method that are derived from it.
It is well known in classical mechanics that the frequencies of a periodic system can be obtained rather easily through the action variable, without completely solving the equation of motion. Analogously, the equivalent quantum action variable appearing in the quantum Hamilton–Jacobi formalism can provide the energy eigenvalues of a bound state problem, without the necessity of solving the corresponding Schrödinger equation explicitly. This elegant and useful method is elucidated here in the context of some known and not so well-known solvable potentials. It is also shown how this method provides an understanding as to why approximate quantization schemes such as ordinary and supersymmetric WKB can give exact answers for certain potentials.