Journal of Physics Communications

Maupertuis-Hamilton least action principle in the space of variational parameters for Schrödinger dynamics; A dual time-dependent variational principle

Kazuo Takatsuka

Published Feb 28, 2020• 2 citations

Abstract

Abstract Time-dependent variational principle (TDVP) provides powerful methods in solving the time-dependent Schröinger equation. As such Kan developed a TDVP (Kan 1981 Phys. Rev. A 24, 2831) and found that there is no Legendre transformation in quantum variational principle, suggesting that there is no place for the Maupertuis reduced action to appear in quantum dynamics. This claim is puzzling for the study of quantum–classical correspondence, since the Maupertuis least action principle practically sets the very basic foundation of classical mechanics. Zambrini showed within the theory of stochastic calculus of variations that the Maupertuis least action principle can lead to the Nelson stochastic quantization theory (Zambrini 1984 J. Math. Phys. 25, 1314). We here revisit the basic aspect of TDVP and reveal the hidden roles of Maupertuis-Hamilton least action in the Schrödinger wavepacket dynamics. On this basis we propose a dual least (stationary) action principle, which is composed of two variational functionals; one responsible for ‘energy related dynamics’ and the other for ‘dynamics of wave-flow’. The former is mainly a manifestation of particle nature in wave-particle duality, while the latter represents that of matter wave. It is also shown that by representing the TDVP in terms of these inseparably linked variational functionals the problem of singularity, which is inherent to the standard TDVPs, is resolved. The structure and properties of this TDVP are also discussed.

DOI: 10.1088/2399-6528/ab7b34

Related papers

Maupertuis’ principle of least action in stochastic calculus of variations

Jean-Claude Zambrini

Within the framework of stochastic calculus of variations for time-symmetric semimartingales X(t,ω), we consider two different stochastic versions of Maupertuis’ least action principle, in Lagrangian and Hamiltonian terms. The general results are applied to classical statistical mechanics, where they coincide with those of classical calculus of variations, and to Nelson’s stochastic mechanics, an approach to quantum mechanics where a time-symmetric semimartingale represents the position of a particle and the dynamics is expressed by a stochastic version of Hamilton’s principle of least action. Some historic examples of old quantum theory are discussed.

Journal of Mathematical PhysicsMay 1, 198415 citations

Progress in Classical and Quantum Variational Principles

Gray, C G, Karl, G, V.A. Novikov

1 “...the most beautiful and important discovery of Mechanics.” Lagrange to Maupertuis (November 1756) We review the development and practical uses of a generalized Maupertuis least action principle in classical mechanics, in which the action is varied under the constraint of fixed mean energy for the trial trajectory. The original Maupertuis (Euler-Lagrange) principle constrains the energy at every point along the trajectory. The generalized Maupertuis principle is equivalent to Hamilton’s principle. Reciprocal principles are also derived for both the generalized Maupertuis and the Hamilton principles. The Reciprocal Maupertuis Principle is the classical limit of Schrödinger’s variational principle of wave mechanics, and is also very useful to solve practical problems in both classical and semiclassical mechanics, in complete analogy with the quantum

Jan 1, 200385 citations

Progress in classical and quantum variational principles

C G Gray, G Karl, V A Novikov

We review the development and practical uses of a generalized Maupertuis least action principle in classical mechanics in which the action is varied under the constraint of fixed mean energy for the trial trajectory. The original Maupertuis (Euler–Lagrange) principle constrains the energy at every point along the trajectory. The generalized Maupertuis principle is equivalent to Hamilton's principle. Reciprocal principles are also derived for both the generalized Maupertuis and the Hamilton principles. The reciprocal Maupertuis principle is the classical limit of Schrödinger's variational principle of wave mechanics and is also very useful to solve practical problems in both classical and semiclassical mechanics, in complete analogy with the quantum Rayleigh–Ritz method. Classical, semiclassical and quantum variational calculations are carried out for a number of systems, and the results are compared. Pedagogical as well as research problems are used as examples, which include nonconservative as well as relativistic systems. '... the most beautiful and important discovery of Mechanics.' Lagrange to Maupertuis (November 1756)

arXiv:physics/0312071Reports on Progress in PhysicsJan 21, 200479 citations

Classical formulations of quantum-mechanical time-dependent variational principles

Bernard H. Lavenda

A modification of Frenkel's time-dependent variational principle (TDVP) determines the complex phase of the wave function: the real and imaginary parts give the phase prescribed by the Schrodinger equation and the correct normalization, respectively. They are given by the hermitized and anti-hermitized components of the frequency operator. The quantum-mechanical TDVP is transcribed into a classical action principle where the hermitized and anti-hermitized components of the frequency operator are shown to be related to the velocity potential and stream function, respectively, of the complex potential method of two-dimensional hydrodynamic flow. The product of metric coefficients that appears in the Poisson brackets is the derivative of the circulation; the conservation of circulation, angular momentum, and particle number are all equivalent.

Il Nuovo Cimento BFeb 1, 20032 citations

Hamilton’s principle in stochastic mechanics

Michele Pavon

In this paper we establish three variational principles that provide new foundations for Nelson’s stochastic mechanics in the case of nonrelativistic particles without spin. The resulting variational picture is much richer and of a different nature with respect to the one previously considered in the literature. We first develop two stochastic variational principles whose Hamilton–Jacobi-like equations are precisely the two coupled partial differential equations that are obtained from the Schrödinger equation (Madelung equations). The two problems are zero-sum, noncooperative, stochastic differential games that are familiar in the control theory literature. They are solved here by means of a new, absolutely elementary method based on Lagrange functionals. For both games the saddle-point equilibrium solution is given by the Nelson’s process and the optimal controls for the two competing players are precisely Nelson’s current velocity v and osmotic velocity u, respectively. The first variational principle includes as special cases both the Guerra–Morato variational principle [Phys. Rev. D 27, 1774 (1983)] and Schrödinger original variational derivation of the time-independent equation. It also reduces to the classical least action principle when the intensity of the underlying noise tends to zero. It appears as a saddle-point action principle. In the second variational principle the action is simply the difference between the initial and final configurational entropy. It is therefore a saddle-point entropy production principle. From the variational principles it follows, in particular, that both v(x,t) and u(x,t) are gradients of appropriate principal functions. In the variational principles, the role of the background noise has the intuitive meaning of attempting to contrast the more classical mechanical features of the system by trying to maximize the action in the first principle and by trying to increase the entropy in the second. Combining the two variational principles, we get the quantum Hamilton principle, i.e., a variational characterization of the logarithm of the wave function ψ. The Lagrangian is the Lagrangian of classical mechanics with the complex-valued velocity v−iu replacing the classical velocity. The dynamics is given by a stochastic differential equation for real-valued diffusions with complex-valued drift and driving noise processes. From the variational principle we derive a Newton-type law. We finally define the momentum process and show that its mean and variance coincide with those of the quantum momentum operator.

Journal of Mathematical PhysicsDec 1, 199558 citations

Schwinger Action Principle and Variational Calculus

Norman J. M. Horing

Abstract Chapter 4 introduces the Schwinger Action Principle, along with associated particle and potential sources. While the methods described here originally arose in the relativistic quantum field theory of elementary particle physics, they have also profoundly advanced our understanding of non-relativistic many-particle physics. The Schwinger Action Principle is a quantum-mechanical variational principle that closely parallels the Hamilton Principle of Least Action of classical mechanics, generalizing it to include the role of quantum operators as generalized coordinates and momenta. As such, it unifies all aspects of quantum theory, incorporating Hamilton equations of motion for those operators and the Heisenberg equation, as well as producing the canonical equal-time commutation/anticommutation relations. It yields dynamical coupled field equations for the creation and annihilation operators of the interacting many-body system by variational differentiation of the Hamiltonian with respect to the field operators. Also, equations for the development of matrix elements (underlying Green’s functions) are derived using variations with respect to particle and potential “sources” (and coupling strength). Variational calculus, involving impressed potentials, c-number coordinates and fields, also quantum operator coordinates and fields, is discussed in full detail. Attention is given to the introduction of fermion and boson particle sources and their use in variational calculus.

Jul 27, 20170 citations