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

Path Integral for a Harmonic Oscillator with Time-Dependent Mass and Frequency

Surarit Pepore, P. Winotai, Tanakorn Osotchan, Udom Robkob

Published Jan 1, 2006• 6 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

The exact solutions to the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for a harmonic oscillator with time-dependent mass and frequency were derived in a general form. The quantum mechanical propagator was calculated by the Feynman path integral method, while the wave function was derived from the spectral representation of the obtained propagator. It was shown that the propagator and the wave function depended on the s solution of a classical oscillator, in which the amplitude and phase satisfied the auxiliary equations. To demonstrate the derivation of the solution from our auxiliary equations, exponential and periodic functions of mass with constant frequency were imposed to evaluate the propagator and wave function for the Caldirola-Kanai and pulsating mass oscillators, respectively.

Related papers

The propagators for time-dependent mass harmonic oscillators

Surarit Pepore

In this paper, the propagator for a harmonic oscillator with mass obeying the function of m(t)=mtan2νt is derived by the Feynman path integral method. The wave function of this oscillator is calculated by expanding the obtained propagator. The propagator for a harmonic oscillator with strongly pulsating mass is evaluated by the Schwinger method. The propagator for a harmonic oscillator with mass rapidly growing with time is calculated by applying the integrals of the motion of quantum systems. The comparison between these methods are also discussed.

Physics & Astronomy International Journal•Nov 23, 2021•0 citations

Schwinger Method and Feynman Path Integral for a Harmonic Oscillator with Mass Growing with Time

Surarit Pepore, Bodinchat Sukbot

The exact propagator for a harmonic oscillator with mass growing like m(1+ατ )2 where m and α are constants and τ is time, is derived by the Schwinger method and the Feynman path integral. In the Schwinger formalism, the propagator can be calculated by basic operator algebra and elementary integrations. In the Feynman path integral method, it can be shown that such a propagator can be evaluated from that for a classical action with the application of a Pauli-Van Vleck formula.

Chinese Journal of Physics•Jun 1, 2015•4 citations

A path integral treatment of time-dependent Dunkl quantum mechanics

Amar Benchikha, B. Hamil, B. C. Lütfüoğlu

This study addresses a significant gap in the literature by extending the path integral formalism to time-dependent systems within the Wigner–Dunkl framework, deriving exact propagator solutions for analytically solvable cases. By employing generalized canonical transformations, we reformulated the path integral to develop an explicit expression for the propagator. This formalism is applied to specific cases, including a Dunkl-harmonic oscillator with time-dependent mass and frequency. Solutions for the Dunkl–Caldirola-Kanai oscillator and a model with a strongly pulsating mass are derived, providing exact propagator expressions and corresponding wave functions. These findings extend the utility of Dunkl operators in quantum mechanics, offering new insights into the dynamics of time-dependent quantum systems and possibly find application in quantum optics, plasma physics, and other fields.

arXiv:2410.20531•International Journal of Geometric Methods in Modern Physics•Jan 18, 2025•11 citations

The initial value problem method for time-dependent harmonic oscillator

Surarit Pepore

The initial value problem method is formulated to calculate the propagator for time- dependent harmonic oscillators. The method is based on finding the initial position operator from Heisenberg equations. The investigated models in this paper are the damped harmonic oscillator, the harmonic oscillator with strongly pulsating mass, and the harmonic oscillator with mass growing with time. The comparison of the initial value problem method with Feynman path integral and Schwinger method is also described.

Revista Mexicana de Física•Jan 1, 2017•1 citation

PATH INTEGRAL ANALYIS FOR TIME-DEPENDENT HARMONIC OSCILLATORS

Bancha Kirdmanee, Surarit Pepore, Bodinchat Sukbot

We demonstrate that the use of a space-time transformation in path integral can simplify the calculation of the propagator for a harmonic oscillator with time-dependent mass and frequency. We show that such a propagator can be easily obtained from the unit mass and frequency propagator in the new space-time coordinate systems. Two cases of harmonic oscillator with time-dependent mass, which exact propagator can be evaluated, are investigated.

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Thonburi University•Jan 1, 2014•0 citations

Path integral for new models of time-dependent harmonic oscillators

Badri Berrabah, Baya Bentag

We have presented a particular direct method to solve time-dependent quantum problems within the framework of path integrals by using explicitly time-dependent transformations. We have applied it to the case of harmonic oscillator with time-dependent mass and frequency. Some examples have illustrated the method used. From their exact propagators, normalized solutions have been obtained.

International Journal of Geometric Methods in Modern Physics•Dec 12, 2019•1 citation
The exact solutions to the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for a harmonic oscillator with time-dependent mass and frequency were derived in a general form. The quantum mechanical propagator was calculated by the Feynman path integral method, while the wave function was derived from the spectral representation of the obtained propagator. It was shown that the propagator and the wave function depended on the s solution of a classical oscillator, in which the amplitude and phase satisfied the auxiliary equations. To demonstrate the derivation of the solution from our auxiliary equations, exponential and periodic functions of mass with constant frequency were imposed to evaluate the propagator and wave function for the Caldirola-Kanai and pulsating mass oscillators, respectively.
In this paper, the propagator for a harmonic oscillator with mass obeying the function of m(t)=mtan2νt is derived by the Feynman path integral method. The wave function of this oscillator is calculated by expanding the obtained propagator. The propagator for a harmonic oscillator with strongly pulsating mass is evaluated by the Schwinger method. The propagator for a harmonic oscillator with mass rapidly growing with time is calculated by applying the integrals of the motion of quantum systems. The comparison between these methods are also discussed.
This study addresses a significant gap in the literature by extending the path integral formalism to time-dependent systems within the Wigner–Dunkl framework, deriving exact propagator solutions for analytically solvable cases. By employing generalized canonical transformations, we reformulated the path integral to develop an explicit expression for the propagator. This formalism is applied to specific cases, including a Dunkl-harmonic oscillator with time-dependent mass and frequency. Solutions for the Dunkl–Caldirola-Kanai oscillator and a model with a strongly pulsating mass are derived, providing exact propagator expressions and corresponding wave functions. These findings extend the utility of Dunkl operators in quantum mechanics, offering new insights into the dynamics of time-dependent quantum systems and possibly find application in quantum optics, plasma physics, and other fields.
The initial value problem method is formulated to calculate the propagator for time- dependent harmonic oscillators. The method is based on finding the initial position operator from Heisenberg equations. The investigated models in this paper are the damped harmonic oscillator, the harmonic oscillator with strongly pulsating mass, and the harmonic oscillator with mass growing with time. The comparison of the initial value problem method with Feynman path integral and Schwinger method is also described.