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Journal of Mathematical Physics

Comment on phase-space representation of quantum state vectors

Klaus B. Mo ller

Published May 1, 1999• 5 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A simple approach to phase-space representation of quantum state vectors using the displacement-operator formalism is presented. Although the resulting expressions for the fundamental operators (position and momentum) are equivalent to those obtained by other methods, this approach provides both alternative mathematical foundation as well as physical interpretation of phase-space representation of quantum state vectors.

DOI
10.1063/1.532881

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A simple approach to phase-space representation of quantum state vectors using the displacement-operator formalism is presented. Although the resulting expressions for the fundamental operators (position and momentum) are equivalent to those obtained by other methods, this approach provides both alternative mathematical foundation as well as physical interpretation of phase-space representation of quantum state vectors.
Phase-space representation of quantum state vectors has been recently formulated by means of the relative-state method developed by the present author [J. Math. Phys. 39, 1744 (1998)]. It is, however, pointed out by Mo/ller that the displacement-operator method provides another basis of phase-space representation of quantum state vectors [J. Math. Phys. (to appear)]. Hence the relation between the relative-state approach and the displacement-operator approach is discussed, both of which yield equivalent phase-space representations.
Phase-space representation of quantum state vectors is obtained within the framework of the relative-state formulation. For this purpose, the Hilbert space of a quantum system is enlarged by introducing an auxiliary quantum system. Relative-position state and relative-momentum state are defined in the extended Hilbert space of the composite quantum system and expressions of basic operators such as canonical position and momentum operators, acting on these states, are obtained. Phase-space functions which represent a state vector of the relevant quantum system are obtained in terms of the relative-position states and the relative-momentum states. The absolute-square of the phase-space function represents the probability distribution of the phase-space variables. Time-evolution of a quantum system is investigated in terms of the phase-space functions. The relations to the phase-space representations formulated by the other methods are obtained.
Abstract In quantum mechanics, the operator representing the displacement of a system in position or momentum is always accompanied by a path-dependent phase factor. In particular, two non-parallel displacements in phase space do not compose together in a simple way, and the order of these displacements leads to different displacement composition phase factors. These phase factors are often attributed to the nonzero commutator between quantum position and momentum operators, but such a mathematical explanation might be unsatisfactory to students who are after more physical insight. We present a couple of simple demonstrations, using classical wave mechanics and classical particle mechanics, that provide some physical intuition for the phase associated with displacement operators.
Quantum mechanics describes the physical state of a microscopic system using vectors in a complex Hilbert space rather than deterministic numerical variables. This mathematical formulation provides a rigorous framework for understanding quantum superposition, probability, and measurement. The Hilbert space structure allows quantum states to be represented as normalized vectors, while inner products define transition probabilities through the Born rule. Linear operators acting on these vectors correspond to measurable physical observables such as position, momentum, and energy. This paper presents a concise mathematical treatment of quantum states in Hilbert space, emphasizing vector representation, superposition, normalization, and projection-based measurement. In addition, the mathematical formulation underlying the concept of quantum immortality is briefly discussed from the perspective of the Many-Worlds Interpretation. The study demonstrates how linear algebra serves as the fundamental language of modern quantum mechanics and provides the theoretical basis for advanced areas including quantum computation, quantum information theory, and quantum communication.
Quantum states can be represented mathematically in different ways, depending on the chosen basis states. For example, position-based states have a definite position but an indefinite momentum, while momentum-based states have a definite momentum but an indefinite position.The Fourier transform is a mathematical operation that converts a quantum state from its position-space representation to its momentum-space representation, and vice versa. This transformation allows a function to be expressed in a different domain.This paper examines the concept and characteristics of the momentum-space representation of a quantum state and compares it to the position-space representation. Additionally, we investigate the applications and benefits of using the momentum-space representation to solve certain issues in quantum mechanics.
A phase space representation is defined for quantum mechanical state functions. General requirements of quantum mechanics and some additional, very reasonable restrictions lead to a representation that is uniquely determined apart from a scaling. With one choice of this scaling, the representation is equivalent to that of Bargmann, although different aspects are emphasized here. Equivalence between position and momentum representations leads to a phase space representation that is invariant to, or at most rescaled by, Fourier transform. Phase space equivalents of some common functions are presented including Cartesian Gaussian basis functions and the hydrogen atom ground state function.