Low-temperature correlation functions via forward–backward quantum dynamics

Jonathan Chen, Nancy Makri

We introduce a stable numerical procedure for solving Bohm's equations of motion to compute quantum trajectories in the forward-backward quantum dynamics (FBQD) formulation of zero-temperature time correlation functions. Rather than integrating the differential equations forward in time, our method is based on a series expansion of the quantum trajectory, exploiting Hamilton's law of varying action to determine the expansion coefficients. Because in FBQD the quantum trajectories generally are smooth and the quantum potential is well behaved, our method allows accurate determination of time correlation functions in strongly anharmonic bound systems over several oscillation periods.

Jeffrey Cohn, Khadijeh Najafi, Barbara Jones +1 more

O. Kübler, H. D. Zeh

Jonathan E. Chen

Several theoretical methods for the computation of quantum dynamical quantities are formulated, implemented, and applied, in the overall context of overcoming the exponential scaling property of quantum mechanics. The convergence of the approximate forward-backward semiclassical dynamics (FBSD) method has been accelerated by working with only the imaginary part of the real-time position and momentum time correlation functions. Simple manipulations allow the computationally favorable limit of a single factorization (“bead”) of the Boltzmann operator to yield greatly improved results. Numerical examples for a one-dimensional anharmonic oscillator and Lennard-Jones fluids are presented. Bohm's trajectory formulation of quantum mechanics is an exact mapping of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation onto classical fluid dynamics, plus one extra term responsible for all non-classical effects, the dreaded quantum potential. A computational procedure has been introduced to stably solve Bohm's hydrodynamic equations of motion in the forward-backward quantum dynamics (FBQD) formulation of time correlation functions, and applied to one-dimensional bound systems at zero and low temperature. A key step in the formulation of this procedure was the use of Hamilton's law of varying action, a generalization of Hamilton's principle of stationary action applicable to initial-value problems. This has resulted in the first reported synthetic computation of non-stationary quantum trajectories for a fully anharmonic oscillator. Success in one dimension has laid the groundwork for future extension to a rigorous quantum-classical scheme, which is briefly discussed. Other unpublished methods for obtaining time correlation functions and propagators in quantum dynamics are also discussed.

Keiran C. Thompson, Nancy Makri

A rigorous, yet practical semiclassical formulation of time correlation functions or expectation values is presented. The main idea is to combine the forward and backward propagation steps into a single semiclassical propagator for those degrees of freedom that are not probed in a calculation, while retaining an explicit two-propagator description of the observable low-dimensional system. The combined forward-backward treatment of the environment naturally leads to extensive cancellation and results in an action that is small on the scale of Planck's constant. As a consequence, the integrand is smooth and thus amenable to Monte Carlo sampling. At the same time, important nonclassical effects terms, arising from interference among multiple bounce solutions of the system component, are fully accounted for.

Guy Dewel