Liouville-space extension of quantum mechanics and N-body problems

A one-dimensional quantum gas with \ensuremath{\delta}-function interaction is known to be integrable for any finite number of particles. We show that in the thermodynamic limit invariants of motion are destroyed in conjunction with a class of singular density matrices that appear commonly in both equilibrium and nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. The system becomes nonintegrable, due to Poincar\'e resonances. However, the eigenvalue problem of the Liouville--von Neumann operator ${L}_{H}$ may be solved in an extended functional space that contains the singular density matrices. We may in this way describe the approach to equilibrium. This is a simple example of the Liouville space extension of quantum mechanics, due to Prigogine and his co-workers. The fundamental quantity in this formulation is the probability (and not the wave function). We obtain indeed an irreducible complex spectral representation of ${L}_{H}.$ Irreducible means that the eigenstates of ${L}_{H}$ cannot be implemented by wave functions, and complex means that the eigenvalues are complex numbers, whose imaginary parts determine relaxation times of the system. The dynamical evolution is described by a semigroup. Due to dissipative effects the real part of the eigenvalues is no more a difference of energy levels, as is the case in standard quantum mechanics.A one-dimensional quantum gas with \ensuremath{\delta}-function interaction is known to be integrable for any finite number of particles. We show that in the thermodynamic limit invariants of motion are destroyed in conjunction with a class of singular density matrices that appear commonly in both equilibrium and nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. The system becomes nonintegrable, due to Poincar\'e resonances. However, the eigenvalue problem of the Liouville--von Neumann operator ${L}_{H}$ may be solved in an extended functional space that contains the singular density matrices. We may in this way describe the approach to equilibrium. This is a simple example of the Liouville space extension of quantum mechanics, due to Prigogine and his co-workers. The fundamental quantity in this formulation is the probability (and not the wave function). We obtain indeed an irreducible complex spectral representation of ${L}_{H}.$ Irreducible means that the eigenstates of ${L}_{H}$ cannot be implemented by wave functions, and complex means that the eigenvalues are complex numbers, whose imaginary parts determine relaxation times of the system. The dynamical evolution is described by a semigroup. Due to dissipative effects the real part of the eigenvalues is no more a difference of energy levels, as is the case in standard quantum mechanics.

Physical Review ANov 1, 199722 citations

The Statistical Mechanical Theory of Transport Processes. V. Quantum Hydrodynamics

J. H. Irving, Robert W. Zwanzig

This paper is concerned with certain extensions of a formal technique devised by Wigner for handling problems in quantum-statistical mechanics, especially to problems in quantum-mechanical transport processes. The approach is to find the closest possible analogy between classical and quantum-statistical mechanics, so that the extensive work in classical statistical mechanics can be utilized. This analogy is attained with the Wigner distribution function, with which averages of dynamical variables in quantum mechanics may be calculated by integrations in phase space. We will first state some basic properties of distribution functions in classical statistical mechanics, and then state the corresponding properties of the density matrix in quantum mechanics. We will define and discuss the Wigner distribution function, show that it has the desired averaging properties, and obtain the analog of the Liouville equation satisfied by this function. We will derive the analog of the Liouville equation in reduced phase space, and then obtain the equations of hydro-dynamics from quantum-statistical mechanics.This paper is concerned with certain extensions of a formal technique devised by Wigner for handling problems in quantum-statistical mechanics, especially to problems in quantum-mechanical transport processes. The approach is to find the closest possible analogy between classical and quantum-statistical mechanics, so that the extensive work in classical statistical mechanics can be utilized. This analogy is attained with the Wigner distribution function, with which averages of dynamical variables in quantum mechanics may be calculated by integrations in phase space. We will first state some basic properties of distribution functions in classical statistical mechanics, and then state the corresponding properties of the density matrix in quantum mechanics. We will define and discuss the Wigner distribution function, show that it has the desired averaging properties, and obtain the analog of the Liouville equation satisfied by this function. We will derive the analog of the Liouville equation in reduced phase space, and then obtain the equations of hydro-dynamics from quantum-statistical mechanics.

The Journal of Chemical PhysicsSep 1, 1951127 citations

Quantum Theory in Liouville Space

Eugen Fick, Günter Sauermann

Springer series in solid-state sciencesJan 1, 19900 citations

Rigged Hilbert Space Formulation of Quantum Thermo Field Dynamics and Mapping to Rigged Liouville Space

Junichi Takahashi, Shousuke Ohmori

The rigged Hilbert space, a triplet extension of the Hilbert space, provides a mathematically rigorous foundation for quantum mechanics by extending the Hilbert space to accommodate generalized eigenstates. In this paper, we construct a triplet structure for the thermal space arising in Thermo Field Dynamics with the aid of the tensor product formulation of rigged Hilbert spaces, a formalism that reformulates thermal averages as pure-state expectation values in a doubled Hilbert space. We then induce the rigged Liouville space for Liouville space of density operators from the triplet structure for Thermo Field Dynamics; the rigged Liouville space corresponds isomorphically one-to-one with that of Thermo Field Dynamics. This correspondence offers a unified topological foundation for quantum statistical mechanics at finite temperature and establishes a framework for future generalizations to open and non-equilibrium quantum systems.The rigged Hilbert space, a triplet extension of the Hilbert space, provides a mathematically rigorous foundation for quantum mechanics by extending the Hilbert space to accommodate generalized eigenstates. In this paper, we construct a triplet structure for the thermal space arising in Thermo Field Dynamics with the aid of the tensor product formulation of rigged Hilbert spaces, a formalism that reformulates thermal averages as pure-state expectation values in a doubled Hilbert space. We then induce the rigged Liouville space for Liouville space of density operators from the triplet structure for Thermo Field Dynamics; the rigged Liouville space corresponds isomorphically one-to-one with that of Thermo Field Dynamics. This correspondence offers a unified topological foundation for quantum statistical mechanics at finite temperature and establishes a framework for future generalizations to open and non-equilibrium quantum systems.

arXiv:2508.06923Aug 9, 20250 citations

{L}_{H}

may be solved in an extended functional space that contains the singular density matrices. We may in this way describe the approach to equilibrium. This is a simple example of the Liouville space extension of quantum mechanics, due to Prigogine and his co-workers. The fundamental quantity in this formulation is the probability (and not the wave function). We obtain indeed an irreducible complex spectral representation of

{L}_{H}.

Irreducible means that the eigenstates of

{L}_{H}

cannot be implemented by wave functions, and complex means that the eigenvalues are complex numbers, whose imaginary parts determine relaxation times of the system. The dynamical evolution is described by a semigroup. Due to dissipative effects the real part of the eigenvalues is no more a difference of energy levels, as is the case in standard quantum mechanics.