Path integrals for quantum mechanics in curved space

Sandro Donadi, Sabine Hossenfelder

David J. Toms

The Feynman path integral approach to quantum mechanics is examined in the case where the configuration space is curved. It is shown how the ambiguity that is present in the choice of path integral measure may be resolved if, in addition to general covariance, the path integral is also required to be consistent with the Schwinger action principle. On this basis it is argued that in addition to the natural volume element associated with the curved space, there should be a factor of the Van Vleck-Morette determinant present. This agrees with the conclusion of an approach based on the link between the path integral and stochastic differential equations.

Масуд Чайчиан, Andrey P. Demichev

Path Integrals in Classical Theory Brownian motion: Introduction to the concept of path integration Wiener path integrals and stochastic processes Path Integrals in Quantum Mechanics Feynman path integrals Path integrals in Hamiltonian formalism Quantizations, the operator ordering problem and path integrals Path integrals and quantizations in spaces with topologiecal constraints Path integrals in curved spaces, space time transformations and the Coulomb problem Path integrals over anticommuting variables for fermions and generalizations Appendices Bibliography Index

Эрнест Ахмеджанович Тагиров

Different approaches are compared to formulation of quantum mechanics of a particle on the curved spaces. At first, the canonical, quasi-classical and path integration formalisms are considered for quantization of geodesic motion on the Rimannian configurational spaces. A unique rule of ordering of operators in the canonical formalism and a unique definition of the path integral are established and, thus, a part of ambiguities in the quantum counterpart of geodesic motion is removed. A geometric interpretation is proposed for non-invariance of the quantum mechanics on coordinate transformations. An approach alternative to the quantization of geodesic motion is surveyed, which starts with the quantum theory of a neutral scalar field. Consequences of this alternative approach and the three formalisms of quantization are compared. In particular, the field theoretical approach generates a deformation of the canonical commutation relations between coordinates and momenta of a prticle. A possible cosmological consequence of the deformation is presented in short. Key words: quantum mechanics, Riemannian space, geodesic motion, deformation.