The problem of quantization of the classical phase of a harmonic oscillator (HO) is solved here in two steps. First, polar decomposition of the step operators of the u(2) algebra is performed. Second, the method of group contraction is used through which, in the limit j→∞, â,â° is passed to for the quantized HO and its Hermitian phase operators. Also, phase states, i.e., states with sharply defined phase, are constructed and the dynamical aspects of the contraction limit between the Jaynes–Cummings model (JCM) and a finite-dimensional counterpart with increasing j parameter are studied. Finally, the old problem of the phase operators is discussed in the wider frame of rank-1 algebras and classify the previous works in this frame.
The problem of quantization of the classical phase of a harmonic oscillator (HO) is solved here in two steps. First, polar decomposition of the step operators of the u(2) algebra is performed. Second, the method of group contraction is used through which, in the limit j→∞, â,â° is passed to for the quantized HO and its Hermitian phase operators. Also, phase states, i.e., states with sharply defined phase, are constructed and the dynamical aspects of the contraction limit between the Jaynes–Cummings model (JCM) and a finite-dimensional counterpart with increasing j parameter are studied. Finally, the old problem of the phase operators is discussed in the wider frame of rank-1 algebras and classify the previous works in this frame.
The polar decomposition of the su(2) algebra leads to unitary phase operators which do not close to an algebra with the number operator. It is shown that phase and number operators can be embedded into a larger su(2j + 1) algebra with trigonometric structure constants. In the contraction limit where we pass from the su(2) to the oscillator algebra, the embedding algebra for the phase operators becomes su(∞). The coherent states realization of the su(∞) algebra and its relation to the q-deformed oscillator algebra is briefly discussed.
A new solution is proposed to the longstanding problem of describing the quantum phase of a harmonic oscillator. In terms of an 'exponential phase operator', defined by a new 'polar decomposition' of the quantized amplitude of the oscillator, a regular phase operator is constructed in the Hilbert–Fock space as a strongly convergent power series. It is shown that the eigenstates of the new 'exponential phase operator' are SU(1,1) coherent states associated to the Holstein–Primakoff realization. In terms of these eigenstates the diagonal representation of phase densities and a generalized spectral resolution of the regular phase operator are derived, which are very well suited to our intuitive pictures of classical phase-related quantities.
We consider the Fermi quantization of the classical damped harmonic oscillator (dho). In past work on the subject, authors double the phase space of the dho in order to close the system at each moment in time. For an infinite-dimensional phase space, this method requires one to construct a representation of the CAR algebra for each time. We show that unitary dilation of the contraction semigroup governing the dynamics of the system is a logical extension of the doubling procedure, and it allows one to avoid the mathematical difficulties encountered with the previous method.
We consider the Fermi quantization of the classical damped harmonic oscillator (dho). In past work on the subject, authors double the phase space of the dho in order to close the system at each moment in time. For an infinite-dimensional phase space, this method requires one to construct a representation of the CAR algebra for each time. We show that unitary dilation of the contraction semigroup governing the dynamics of the system is a logical extension of the doubling procedure, and it allows one to avoid the mathematical difficulties encountered with the previous method.
In classical mechanics the harmonic oscillator (HO) provides the generic example for the use of angle and action variables and I > 0 which played a prominent role in the “old” Bohr-Sommerfeld quantum theory. However, already classically there is a problem which has essential implications for the quantum mechanics of the (φ,I)-model for the HO: the transformation is only locally symplectic and singular for (q,p) = (0,0). Globally the phase space {(q,p)} has the topological structure of the plane ℝ2, whereas the phase space {(φ,I)} corresponds globally to the punctured plane ℝ2 -(0,0) or to a simple cone with the tip deleted. From the properties of the symplectic transformations on that phase space one can derive the functions h0 = I, h1 = Icos φ and h2 = -Isin φ as the basic coordinates on {(φ,I)}, where their Poisson brackets obey the Lie algebra of the symplectic group of the plane. This implies a qualitative difference as to the quantum theory of the phase space {(φ,I)} compared to the usual one for {(q,p)}: In the quantum mechanics for the (φ,I)-model of the HO the three hj correspond to the self-adjoint generators Kj, j = 0,1,2, of certain irreducible unitary representations of the symplectic group or one of its infinitely many covering groups, the representations being parametrized by a (Bargmann) index k > 0. This index k determines the ground state energy of the (φ,I)-Hamiltonian . For an m-fold covering the lowest possible value for k is k = 1/m, which can be made arbitrarily small by choosing m accordingly! This is not in contradiction to the usual approach in terms of the operators Q and P which are now expressed as functions of the Kj, but keep their usual properties. The richer structure of the Kj quantum model of the HO is “erased” when passing to the simpler (Q,P)-model! This more refined approach to the quantum theory of the HO implies many experimental tests: Mulliken-type experiments for isotopic diatomic molecules, experiments with harmonic traps for atoms, ions and BE-condensates, with charged HOs in external electric fields and the (Landau) levels of charged particles in external magnetic fields, with the propagation of light in vacuum, passing through strong external electric or magnetic fields. Finally it may lead to a new theoretical estimate for the quantum vacuum energy of fields and its relation to the cosmological constant.
Abstract In classical mechanics the harmonic oscillator (HO) provides the generic example for the use of angle and action variables and I > 0 which played a prominent role in the “old” Bohr‐Sommerfeld quantum theory. However, already classically there is a problem which has essential implications for the quantum mechanics of the (φ,I)‐model for the HO: the transformation is only locally symplectic and singular for (q,p) = (0,0). Globally the phase space {(q,p)} has the topological structure of the plane ℝ2, whereas the phase space {(φ,I)} corresponds globally to the punctured plane ℝ2 ‐(0,0) or to a simple cone with the tip deleted. From the properties of the symplectic transformations on that phase space one can derive the functions h0 = I, h1 = Icos φ and h2 = ‐Isin φ as the basic coordinates on {(φ,I)}, where their Poisson brackets obey the Lie algebra of the symplectic group of the plane. This implies a qualitative difference as to the quantum theory of the phase space {(φ,I)} compared to the usual one for {(q,p)}: In the quantum mechanics for the (φ,I)‐model of the HO the three hj correspond to the self‐adjoint generators Kj, j = 0,1,2, of certain irreducible unitary representations of the symplectic group or one of its infinitely many covering groups, the representations being parametrized by a (Bargmann) index k > 0. This index k determines the ground state energy of the (φ,I)‐Hamiltonian . For an m‐fold covering the lowest possible value for k is k = 1/m, which can be made arbitrarily small by choosing m accordingly! This is not in contradiction to the usual approach in terms of the operators Q and P which are now expressed as functions of the Kj, but keep their usual properties. The richer structure of the Kj quantum model of the HO is “erased” when passing to the simpler (Q,P)‐model! This more refined approach to the quantum theory of the HO implies many experimental tests: Mulliken‐type experiments for isotopic diatomic molecules, experiments with harmonic traps for atoms, ions and BE‐condensates, with charged HOs in external electric fields and the (Landau) levels of charged particles in external magnetic fields, with the propagation of light in vacuum, passing through strong external electric or magnetic fields. Finally it may lead to a new theoretical estimate for the quantum vacuum energy of fields and its relation to the cosmological constant.