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The Journal of Chemical Physics

Temporally stable rotational coherent states for molecular simulations. II. Symmetric rotor case

Christopher J. Stopera, Jorge A. Morales

Published May 16, 2022• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Following our preceding work on spherical and linear rotors [C. Stopera and J. A. Morales, J. Chem. Phys. 152, 134112 (2020)], we reformulate an earlier rotational coherent state (CS) set to obtain a temporally stable (TS) CS set for symmetric rotors. Being TS, the new CSs remain within its own set during dynamics by evolving exclusively through their parameters. The TS CS set is now appropriate to reconstruct quantum rotational properties from classical-mechanics simulations of chemical reactions. Following literature precedents, we enforce temporal stability by incorporating action-angle-related phase factors into two parameters of the original CS set. Proofs and final expressions of the symmetric-rotor CS turn out more intricate than those of its spherical-rotor counterpart. We demonstrate and examine the key properties of the new CS set: continuity, resolution of unity, temporal stability, action identity, minimum uncertainty relationships, and quasi-classical behavior. Regarding the last property, we demonstrate that the body-fixed z-component of the CS angular momentum average evolves exactly as its classical counterpart, and that the x- and y-components display an astonishing analogy with their classical counterparts in terms of functional form, precession angular velocities, amplitudes, and phases. We elucidate some of these properties via computer simulations of a rotating benzene molecule represented with the CS set. We discuss the utilization of this CS set to reconstruct quantum rotational properties of symmetric-rotor molecules from classical-mechanics simulations. The new CS set is appropriate to establish quantum-classical connections for rotational properties in chemical dynamics, statistical mechanics, spectroscopy, nuclear physics, and quantum computing.

DOI
10.1063/5.0092167

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Temporally stable rotational coherent states for molecular simulations. I. Spherical and linear rotor cases

Christopher J. Stopera, Jorge A. Morales

We reformulate a previous rotational coherent state (CS) to obtain temporally stable (TS) CSs for the spherical rotor (SR) and linear rotor (LR): TSSR and TSLR CSs, respectively. Being TS, the new CSs remain within their own classes during dynamics by evolving exclusively through their CS parameters. The new TS CSs are now appropriate to reconstruct quantum rotational properties from classical-mechanics simulations of chemical reactions. Following literature precedents, we enforce temporal stability by incorporating action-angle-related phase factors into the parameters of the original CS. In addition, to elucidate CS quantum reconstruction procedures, we derive one more rotational CS from a quantum electron nuclear dynamics description of a diatomic rotor (DR). The DR CS and the TSLR CS are not identical but display similar structures and properties. We rigorously demonstrate and examine the key properties of the three CSs: continuity, resolution of unity, temporal stability, action identity, minimum uncertainty relationships, and quasi-classical behavior. Finally, we present computer simulations of the CSs dynamics and an application of them to predict CO rotational excitation probabilities in the Li+ + CO reaction. CS results agree satisfactorily with experimental ones and encourage future applications in chemical dynamics, statistical mechanics, spectroscopy, nuclear physics, quantum coherence, and quantum computing.

The Journal of Chemical Physics•Apr 7, 2020•4 citations

A new class of coherent states and it's properties.

Abdlgader Mohamed

The study of coherent states (CS) for a quantum mechanical system has \nreceived a lot of attention. The definition, applications, generalizations of \nsuch states have been the subject of work by researchers. A common starting \npoint of all these approaches is the observation of properties of the original \nCS for the harmonic oscillator. It is well-known that they are described \nequivalently as (a) eigenstates of the usual annihilation operator, (b) from \na displacement operator acting on a fundamental state and (c) as minimum \nuncertainty states. What we observe in the different generalizations proposed \nis that the preceding definitions are no longer equivalent and only some of \nthe properties of the harmonic oscillator CS are preserved. \nIn this thesis we propose to study a new class of coherent states and \nits properties. We note that in one example our CS coincide with the ones \nproposed by Glauber where a set of three requirements for such states has \nbeen imposed. The set of our generalized coherent states remains invariant \nunder the corresponding time evolution and this property is called temporal \nstability. Secondly, there is no state which is orthogonal to all coherent states (the coherent states form a total set). The third property is that we \nget all coherent states by acting on one of these states [¿fiducial vector¿] with \noperators. They are highly non-classical states, in the sense that in general, \ntheir Bargmann functions have zeros which are related to negative regions of \ntheir Wigner functions. Examples of these coherent states with Bargmann \nfunction that involve the Gamma and also the Riemann ¿ functions are represented. \nThe zeros of these Bargmann functions and the paths of the zeros \nduring time evolution are also studied.

•Jan 1, 2011•0 citations

Angular momentum coherent states

P. W. Atkins, J. C. Dobson

Abstract The work of Carruthers & Nieto on the harmonic oscillator coherent states is combined with Schwinger’s construction of angular momentum to produce the angular momentum coherent states. It is shown that these states become the vector representatives of angular momentum in the classical limit, and so are particularly useful for discussing the transition from quantum to classical angular momentum. The uncertainty relations for angle and angular momentum are described and are compatible with the classical limit. Under rotations the coherent states transform in a manner that in the classical limit is equivalent to the transformation of vectors, and in the same limit the root mean square variation of the expectation values of the components of angular momentum become negligible in comparison with the expectation values themselves. The coupling of two angular momenta in the classical limit is investigated: it is shown that although the product of two coherent states is not itself a coherent state, it does represent a packet similar to a true coherent state, and centred on the direction of the classical resultant of the two component vectors. The properties and implications of hyperbolic angular momentum space are discussed.

Proceedings of the Royal Society of London A Mathematical and Physical Sciences•Feb 23, 1971•103 citations

Two-Body Rotation and Angular Momentum

Uri Peskin

The quantum mechanical two-body problem is analyzed. Separating the center of mass from the relative motion Hamiltonian and focusing on “central potentials,” the stationary Schrödinger equation for the relative motion in spherical coordinates is split into radial and angular equations. The universal angular equation is identified as the eigenvalue equation of the angular momentum operator, whose proper solutions are the spherical harmonics. For fixed interparticle distance, the two-body system is mapped on a “rigid rotor” Hamiltonian, whose eigenstates coincide with the angular momentum eigenstates. In diatomic molecules, timescale separation between fast vibrations (radial motion) and slow rotations (angular motion) enables one to invoke a rigid rotor approximation for interpreting rotational absorption spectrum in the microwave regime. Deviations from the predictions of the rigid rotor model and their manifestation in experiments are analyzed by explicit solution of the stationary Schrödinger equation for two particles in the presence of vibration–rotation coupling.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•May 11, 2023•0 citations

A new set of coherent states for the isotropic harmonic oscillator: Coherent angular momentum states

Anthony J. Bracken, Howard I. Leemon

The Hamiltonian for the oscillator has earlier been written in the form where ν† and ν are raising and lowering operators for ν†ν, which has eigenvalues k (the ’’radial’’ quantum number), and λ† and λ are raising and lowering 3-vector operators for λ†⋅λ, which has eigenvalues l (the total angular momentum quantum number). A new set of coherent states for the oscillator is now defined by diagonalizing ν and λ. These states bear a similar relation to the commuting operators H, L2, and L3 (where L is the angular momentum of the system) as the usual coherent states do to the commuting number operators N1, N2, and N3. It is proposed to call them coherent angular momentum states. They are shown to be minimum-uncertainty states for the variables ν, ν† , λ, and λ†, and to provide a new quasiclassical description of the oscillator. This description coincides with that provided by the usual coherent states only in the special case that the corresponding classical motion is circular, rather than elliptical; and, in general, the uncertainty in the angular momentum of the system is smaller in the new description. The probabilities of obtaining particular values for k and l in one of the new states follow independent Poisson distributions. The new states are overcomplete, and lead to a new representation of the Hilbert space for the oscillator, in terms of analytic functions on C×K3, where K3 is the three-dimensional complex cone. This space is related to one introduced recently by Bargmann and Todorov, and carries a very simple realization of all the representations of the rotation group.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•Apr 1, 1981•7 citations

Coherent states: a contemporary panorama

S. Twareque Ali, Jean-Pierre Antoine, Fabio Bagarello +1 more

Coherent states (CS) of the harmonic oscillator (also called canonical CS) were introduced in 1926 by Schrödinger in answer to a remark by Lorentz on the classical interpretation of the wave function. They were rediscovered in the early 1960s, first (somewhat implicitly) by Klauder in the context of a novel representation of quantum states, then by Glauber and Sudarshan for the description of coherence in lasers. Since then, CS have grown into an extremely rich domain that pervades almost every corner of physics and have also led to the development of several flourishing topics in mathematics. Along the way, a number of review articles have appeared in the literature, devoted to CS, notably the 1985 reprint volume of Klauder and Skagerstam [1], the 1990 review paper by Zhang et al [2], the 1993 Oak Ridge Conference [3] and the 1995 review paper by Ali et al [4]. Textbooks also have been published, among which one might mention the ground breaking text of Perelomov [5] focusing on the group-theoretical aspects, that of Ali et al [6] 1 analyzing systematically the mathematical structure beyond the group-theoretical approach and also the relation to wavelet analysis, that of Dodonov and Man'ko [7] mostly devoted to quantum optics, that of Gazeau [8] more oriented towards the physical, probabilistic and quantization aspects, and finally the very recent one by Combescure and Robert [9]. In retrospect, one can see that the development of CS has gone through a two-phase transition. First, the (simultaneous) discovery in 1972 by Gilmore and Perelomov that CS were rooted in group theory, then the realization that CS can be defined in a purely algebraic way, as an eigenvalue problem or by a series expansion (Malkin and Man'ko 1969, Barut and Girardello 1971, Gazeau and Klauder 1999; references to the original articles may be found in the textbooks quoted above). Both facts resulted in an explosive expansion of the CS literature. We thought, therefore, that the time was ripe to devote a special issue of Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical to CS. However, because of limitations of space and time, it would have been impossible to get a fully representative cross-section of papers, covering all the different facets of the subject. Consequently, we have selected 37 articles, including some by a few of the originators of the field. We thank all the authors for submitting their up-to-date thoughts on this fascinating subject. The contents of this special issue are subdivided into five categories: (1) review papers; (2) physics-oriented CS; (3) physics and quantum information; (4) mathematics, general topics; and (5) mathematics, particular problems. (1) Review papers We start with five review papers. The first paper, by Klauder, surveys the many possible applications of affine variables, both in classical and quantum physics. The second, by Sanders, proposes a grand tour of entangled CS, which are present in many fields, such as quantum optics, quantum information processing, etc. The next paper, by Rowe, surveys the field of vector CS and the attendant group representation problems (including induced representations). Then Oriti et al describe a particular class of CS relevant to (loop) quantum gravity. Finally, Combescure and Robert present a comprehensive review of fermionic CS, including all mathematical details. (2) Physics-oriented CS The six contributions in this section deal with specific physical problems: (i) Dajka–Luczka study Gazeau–Klauder cat states associated with a nonlinear Kerr oscillator, instead of the usual canonical CS leading to Schrödinger cat states; (ii) Angelova et al discuss squeezed CS associated with a 1D Morse potential, used in molecular physics; (iii) Bagrov et al study CS in a magnetic solenoid field and prove their completeness; (iv) Blasone–Jizba treat Nambu–Goldstone dynamics in spontaneously broken symmetries, using CS functional integrals; (v) Calixto et al describe accelerated relativistic particles in the context of spontaneous breakdown of conformal SU(2,2) symmetry, using SU(2,2) CS; and (vi) Mortazavi–Tavassoly study f -deformed charge CS and their physical properties (nonclassical features, sub-Poissonian statistical behavior, etc). (3) Physics and quantum information The second group of physically related CS contains four contributions with a distinct quantum information theoretic flavor. First, Thilagam describes the dynamical behavior of entanglement of a pair of qubits (excitons), using a CS basis. Next, Lavoie–de Guise study SU(3) intelligent states (i.e., minimal uncertainty states), of interest in the quantum information community. Then Muñoz constructs discrete CS for n qubits. Finally, Wagner–Kendon explore the continuous variable Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm known in quantum computing in a discrete formulation. (4) Mathematics, general topics In this subgroup, there are eight papers dealing with general properties of CS, independently of any particular system or application. A whole series discusses the interaction between CS and various mathematical objects: pseudodifferential operators and Weyl calculus (Unterberger); induced representations of the affine group and intertwining operators (Elmabrok–Hutnik); measure-free CS and reproducing kernels (Horzela–Szafraniec); extremal POV measures (Heinosaari–Pellonpää); Hilbert W*-modules (Bhattacharyya–Roy); Toeplitz operators (Hutníková–Hutník); and operator localization and homogeneous structure of nilpotent Lie groups (Kisil). In addition, Balazs et al consider multipliers for continuous frames, including CS or wavelet frames. (5) Mathematics, particular problems The second group of mathematically oriented papers contains 14 contributions, devoted to CS in particular systems. We start with a paper by Gilmore, which explores the (sometimes chaotic) evolution of atomic CS under a time-periodic driving field, using sphere maps S 2 → S 2 . Next, we include a paper on CS on the 2-sphere in a magnetic field (Hall–Mitchell); a paper on CS for a quantum particle on a Möbius strip (Cirilo–Lombardo); a discussion of quantization on the circle (Chadzitaskos et al ); SUSY CS for Pöschl–Teller potentials (Bergeron et al ); generalized Bargmann functions and von Neumann lattices (Vourdas et al ); partial reconstruction for a finite CS system, using the Fock–Bargmann representation (Calixto et al ); phase operators for SU(3) irreps, thus for finite quantum systems (de Guise); semiclassical CS in periodic potentials (Carles–Sparber); complexified CS with non-Hermitian Hamiltonians (Graefe–Schubert); minimal uncertainty states in the context of (semisimple) group representation theory (Oszmaniec); localization operators in the time-frequency domain, i.e., in Gabor analysis (Muzhikyan–Avanesyan); and, finally, two papers about fermionic CS (Daoud–Kibler and Trifonov). This brief description illustrates perfectly the extreme versatility of the CS concept. As already stressed, coherent states constitute nowadays a flourishing research topic, with applications to a wide spectrum of domains. Indeed, CS are everywhere in physics: condensed matter physics, atomic physics, nuclear and particle physics, quantum optics, dynamics—both quantum and classical potentials—quantum gravity, quantization and quantum information theory. On the other hand, CS have grown into a fully-fledged domain in mathematics, incorporating many tools such as group representations, POV measures, frames, holomorphic functions, orthogonal polynomials and so on. Interestingly enough, the majority of contributions to this special issue (22 out of 37) are mathematically minded, demonstrating the widespread interest CS have generated in various areas of mathematics. A third field related to CS (but almost not represented in the present collection) is signal processing. Indeed both Gabor analysis and wavelet analysis derive in the first place from CS theory, namely, CS associated to the Weyl–Heisenberg and the ax + b group, respectively. Here too, a tremendous development has taken place in recent years, another testimony to the richness of the notion of CS. We leave it to the jury of public opinion to judge whether the call for a special issue of the journal, devoted to coherent states, has been justified. References [1] Klauder J R and Skagerstam B S 1985 Coherent States—Applications in Physics and Mathematical Physics (Singapore: World Scientific) [2] Zhang W-M, Feng D H and Gilmore R 1990 Coherent states: theory and some applications Rev. Mod. Phys. 62 867–927 [3] Feng D H, Klauder J R and Strayer M (ed) 1994 Coherent States: Past, Present and Future (Singapore: World Scientific) [4] Ali S T, Antoine J-P, Gazeau J-P and Mueller U A 1995 Coherent states and their generalizations: a mathematical overview Rev. Math. Phys. 7 1013–104 [5] Perelomov A M 1986 Generalized Coherent States and Their Applications (New York: Springer) [6] Ali S T, Antoine J-P and Gazeau J-P 2000 Coherent States, Wavelets and Their Generalizations (New York: Springer) [7] Dodonov V V and Man'ko V I (ed) 2003 Theory of Nonclassical States of Light (London: Taylor & Francis) [8] Gazeau J-P 2009 Coherent States in Quantum Physics (Berlin: Wiley) [9] Combescure M and Robert D 2012 Coherent States and Applications in Mathematical Physics (New York: Springer) 1 A second edition of that volume is in preparation.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical•May 30, 2012•9 citations
Following our preceding work on spherical and linear rotors [C. Stopera and J. A. Morales, J. Chem. Phys. 152, 134112 (2020)], we reformulate an earlier rotational coherent state (CS) set to obtain a temporally stable (TS) CS set for symmetric rotors. Being TS, the new CSs remain within its own set during dynamics by evolving exclusively through their parameters. The TS CS set is now appropriate to reconstruct quantum rotational properties from classical-mechanics simulations of chemical reactions. Following literature precedents, we enforce temporal stability by incorporating action-angle-related phase factors into two parameters of the original CS set. Proofs and final expressions of the symmetric-rotor CS turn out more intricate than those of its spherical-rotor counterpart. We demonstrate and examine the key properties of the new CS set: continuity, resolution of unity, temporal stability, action identity, minimum uncertainty relationships, and quasi-classical behavior. Regarding the last property, we demonstrate that the body-fixed z-component of the CS angular momentum average evolves exactly as its classical counterpart, and that the x- and y-components display an astonishing analogy with their classical counterparts in terms of functional form, precession angular velocities, amplitudes, and phases. We elucidate some of these properties via computer simulations of a rotating benzene molecule represented with the CS set. We discuss the utilization of this CS set to reconstruct quantum rotational properties of symmetric-rotor molecules from classical-mechanics simulations. The new CS set is appropriate to establish quantum-classical connections for rotational properties in chemical dynamics, statistical mechanics, spectroscopy, nuclear physics, and quantum computing.
We reformulate a previous rotational coherent state (CS) to obtain temporally stable (TS) CSs for the spherical rotor (SR) and linear rotor (LR): TSSR and TSLR CSs, respectively. Being TS, the new CSs remain within their own classes during dynamics by evolving exclusively through their CS parameters. The new TS CSs are now appropriate to reconstruct quantum rotational properties from classical-mechanics simulations of chemical reactions. Following literature precedents, we enforce temporal stability by incorporating action-angle-related phase factors into the parameters of the original CS. In addition, to elucidate CS quantum reconstruction procedures, we derive one more rotational CS from a quantum electron nuclear dynamics description of a diatomic rotor (DR). The DR CS and the TSLR CS are not identical but display similar structures and properties. We rigorously demonstrate and examine the key properties of the three CSs: continuity, resolution of unity, temporal stability, action identity, minimum uncertainty relationships, and quasi-classical behavior. Finally, we present computer simulations of the CSs dynamics and an application of them to predict CO rotational excitation probabilities in the Li+ + CO reaction. CS results agree satisfactorily with experimental ones and encourage future applications in chemical dynamics, statistical mechanics, spectroscopy, nuclear physics, quantum coherence, and quantum computing.
The study of coherent states (CS) for a quantum mechanical system has \nreceived a lot of attention. The definition, applications, generalizations of \nsuch states have been the subject of work by researchers. A common starting \npoint of all these approaches is the observation of properties of the original \nCS for the harmonic oscillator. It is well-known that they are described \nequivalently as (a) eigenstates of the usual annihilation operator, (b) from \na displacement operator acting on a fundamental state and (c) as minimum \nuncertainty states. What we observe in the different generalizations proposed \nis that the preceding definitions are no longer equivalent and only some of \nthe properties of the harmonic oscillator CS are preserved. \nIn this thesis we propose to study a new class of coherent states and \nits properties. We note that in one example our CS coincide with the ones \nproposed by Glauber where a set of three requirements for such states has \nbeen imposed. The set of our generalized coherent states remains invariant \nunder the corresponding time evolution and this property is called temporal \nstability. Secondly, there is no state which is orthogonal to all coherent states (the coherent states form a total set). The third property is that we \nget all coherent states by acting on one of these states [¿fiducial vector¿] with \noperators. They are highly non-classical states, in the sense that in general, \ntheir Bargmann functions have zeros which are related to negative regions of \ntheir Wigner functions. Examples of these coherent states with Bargmann \nfunction that involve the Gamma and also the Riemann ¿ functions are represented. \nThe zeros of these Bargmann functions and the paths of the zeros \nduring time evolution are also studied.
Abstract The work of Carruthers & Nieto on the harmonic oscillator coherent states is combined with Schwinger’s construction of angular momentum to produce the angular momentum coherent states. It is shown that these states become the vector representatives of angular momentum in the classical limit, and so are particularly useful for discussing the transition from quantum to classical angular momentum. The uncertainty relations for angle and angular momentum are described and are compatible with the classical limit. Under rotations the coherent states transform in a manner that in the classical limit is equivalent to the transformation of vectors, and in the same limit the root mean square variation of the expectation values of the components of angular momentum become negligible in comparison with the expectation values themselves. The coupling of two angular momenta in the classical limit is investigated: it is shown that although the product of two coherent states is not itself a coherent state, it does represent a packet similar to a true coherent state, and centred on the direction of the classical resultant of the two component vectors. The properties and implications of hyperbolic angular momentum space are discussed.
The quantum mechanical two-body problem is analyzed. Separating the center of mass from the relative motion Hamiltonian and focusing on “central potentials,” the stationary Schrödinger equation for the relative motion in spherical coordinates is split into radial and angular equations. The universal angular equation is identified as the eigenvalue equation of the angular momentum operator, whose proper solutions are the spherical harmonics. For fixed interparticle distance, the two-body system is mapped on a “rigid rotor” Hamiltonian, whose eigenstates coincide with the angular momentum eigenstates. In diatomic molecules, timescale separation between fast vibrations (radial motion) and slow rotations (angular motion) enables one to invoke a rigid rotor approximation for interpreting rotational absorption spectrum in the microwave regime. Deviations from the predictions of the rigid rotor model and their manifestation in experiments are analyzed by explicit solution of the stationary Schrödinger equation for two particles in the presence of vibration–rotation coupling.
The Hamiltonian for the oscillator has earlier been written in the form where ν† and ν are raising and lowering operators for ν†ν, which has eigenvalues k (the ’’radial’’ quantum number), and λ† and λ are raising and lowering 3-vector operators for λ†⋅λ, which has eigenvalues l (the total angular momentum quantum number). A new set of coherent states for the oscillator is now defined by diagonalizing ν and λ. These states bear a similar relation to the commuting operators H, L2, and L3 (where L is the angular momentum of the system) as the usual coherent states do to the commuting number operators N1, N2, and N3. It is proposed to call them coherent angular momentum states. They are shown to be minimum-uncertainty states for the variables ν, ν† , λ, and λ†, and to provide a new quasiclassical description of the oscillator. This description coincides with that provided by the usual coherent states only in the special case that the corresponding classical motion is circular, rather than elliptical; and, in general, the uncertainty in the angular momentum of the system is smaller in the new description. The probabilities of obtaining particular values for k and l in one of the new states follow independent Poisson distributions. The new states are overcomplete, and lead to a new representation of the Hilbert space for the oscillator, in terms of analytic functions on C×K3, where K3 is the three-dimensional complex cone. This space is related to one introduced recently by Bargmann and Todorov, and carries a very simple realization of all the representations of the rotation group.
Coherent states (CS) of the harmonic oscillator (also called canonical CS) were introduced in 1926 by Schrödinger in answer to a remark by Lorentz on the classical interpretation of the wave function. They were rediscovered in the early 1960s, first (somewhat implicitly) by Klauder in the context of a novel representation of quantum states, then by Glauber and Sudarshan for the description of coherence in lasers. Since then, CS have grown into an extremely rich domain that pervades almost every corner of physics and have also led to the development of several flourishing topics in mathematics. Along the way, a number of review articles have appeared in the literature, devoted to CS, notably the 1985 reprint volume of Klauder and Skagerstam [1], the 1990 review paper by Zhang et al [2], the 1993 Oak Ridge Conference [3] and the 1995 review paper by Ali et al [4]. Textbooks also have been published, among which one might mention the ground breaking text of Perelomov [5] focusing on the group-theoretical aspects, that of Ali et al [6] 1 analyzing systematically the mathematical structure beyond the group-theoretical approach and also the relation to wavelet analysis, that of Dodonov and Man'ko [7] mostly devoted to quantum optics, that of Gazeau [8] more oriented towards the physical, probabilistic and quantization aspects, and finally the very recent one by Combescure and Robert [9]. In retrospect, one can see that the development of CS has gone through a two-phase transition. First, the (simultaneous) discovery in 1972 by Gilmore and Perelomov that CS were rooted in group theory, then the realization that CS can be defined in a purely algebraic way, as an eigenvalue problem or by a series expansion (Malkin and Man'ko 1969, Barut and Girardello 1971, Gazeau and Klauder 1999; references to the original articles may be found in the textbooks quoted above). Both facts resulted in an explosive expansion of the CS literature. We thought, therefore, that the time was ripe to devote a special issue of Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical to CS. However, because of limitations of space and time, it would have been impossible to get a fully representative cross-section of papers, covering all the different facets of the subject. Consequently, we have selected 37 articles, including some by a few of the originators of the field. We thank all the authors for submitting their up-to-date thoughts on this fascinating subject. The contents of this special issue are subdivided into five categories: (1) review papers; (2) physics-oriented CS; (3) physics and quantum information; (4) mathematics, general topics; and (5) mathematics, particular problems. (1) Review papers We start with five review papers. The first paper, by Klauder, surveys the many possible applications of affine variables, both in classical and quantum physics. The second, by Sanders, proposes a grand tour of entangled CS, which are present in many fields, such as quantum optics, quantum information processing, etc. The next paper, by Rowe, surveys the field of vector CS and the attendant group representation problems (including induced representations). Then Oriti et al describe a particular class of CS relevant to (loop) quantum gravity. Finally, Combescure and Robert present a comprehensive review of fermionic CS, including all mathematical details. (2) Physics-oriented CS The six contributions in this section deal with specific physical problems: (i) Dajka–Luczka study Gazeau–Klauder cat states associated with a nonlinear Kerr oscillator, instead of the usual canonical CS leading to Schrödinger cat states; (ii) Angelova et al discuss squeezed CS associated with a 1D Morse potential, used in molecular physics; (iii) Bagrov et al study CS in a magnetic solenoid field and prove their completeness; (iv) Blasone–Jizba treat Nambu–Goldstone dynamics in spontaneously broken symmetries, using CS functional integrals; (v) Calixto et al describe accelerated relativistic particles in the context of spontaneous breakdown of conformal SU(2,2) symmetry, using SU(2,2) CS; and (vi) Mortazavi–Tavassoly study f -deformed charge CS and their physical properties (nonclassical features, sub-Poissonian statistical behavior, etc). (3) Physics and quantum information The second group of physically related CS contains four contributions with a distinct quantum information theoretic flavor. First, Thilagam describes the dynamical behavior of entanglement of a pair of qubits (excitons), using a CS basis. Next, Lavoie–de Guise study SU(3) intelligent states (i.e., minimal uncertainty states), of interest in the quantum information community. Then Muñoz constructs discrete CS for n qubits. Finally, Wagner–Kendon explore the continuous variable Deutsch–Jozsa algorithm known in quantum computing in a discrete formulation. (4) Mathematics, general topics In this subgroup, there are eight papers dealing with general properties of CS, independently of any particular system or application. A whole series discusses the interaction between CS and various mathematical objects: pseudodifferential operators and Weyl calculus (Unterberger); induced representations of the affine group and intertwining operators (Elmabrok–Hutnik); measure-free CS and reproducing kernels (Horzela–Szafraniec); extremal POV measures (Heinosaari–Pellonpää); Hilbert W*-modules (Bhattacharyya–Roy); Toeplitz operators (Hutníková–Hutník); and operator localization and homogeneous structure of nilpotent Lie groups (Kisil). In addition, Balazs et al consider multipliers for continuous frames, including CS or wavelet frames. (5) Mathematics, particular problems The second group of mathematically oriented papers contains 14 contributions, devoted to CS in particular systems. We start with a paper by Gilmore, which explores the (sometimes chaotic) evolution of atomic CS under a time-periodic driving field, using sphere maps S 2 → S 2 . Next, we include a paper on CS on the 2-sphere in a magnetic field (Hall–Mitchell); a paper on CS for a quantum particle on a Möbius strip (Cirilo–Lombardo); a discussion of quantization on the circle (Chadzitaskos et al ); SUSY CS for Pöschl–Teller potentials (Bergeron et al ); generalized Bargmann functions and von Neumann lattices (Vourdas et al ); partial reconstruction for a finite CS system, using the Fock–Bargmann representation (Calixto et al ); phase operators for SU(3) irreps, thus for finite quantum systems (de Guise); semiclassical CS in periodic potentials (Carles–Sparber); complexified CS with non-Hermitian Hamiltonians (Graefe–Schubert); minimal uncertainty states in the context of (semisimple) group representation theory (Oszmaniec); localization operators in the time-frequency domain, i.e., in Gabor analysis (Muzhikyan–Avanesyan); and, finally, two papers about fermionic CS (Daoud–Kibler and Trifonov). This brief description illustrates perfectly the extreme versatility of the CS concept. As already stressed, coherent states constitute nowadays a flourishing research topic, with applications to a wide spectrum of domains. Indeed, CS are everywhere in physics: condensed matter physics, atomic physics, nuclear and particle physics, quantum optics, dynamics—both quantum and classical potentials—quantum gravity, quantization and quantum information theory. On the other hand, CS have grown into a fully-fledged domain in mathematics, incorporating many tools such as group representations, POV measures, frames, holomorphic functions, orthogonal polynomials and so on. Interestingly enough, the majority of contributions to this special issue (22 out of 37) are mathematically minded, demonstrating the widespread interest CS have generated in various areas of mathematics. A third field related to CS (but almost not represented in the present collection) is signal processing. Indeed both Gabor analysis and wavelet analysis derive in the first place from CS theory, namely, CS associated to the Weyl–Heisenberg and the ax + b group, respectively. Here too, a tremendous development has taken place in recent years, another testimony to the richness of the notion of CS. We leave it to the jury of public opinion to judge whether the call for a special issue of the journal, devoted to coherent states, has been justified. References [1] Klauder J R and Skagerstam B S 1985 Coherent States—Applications in Physics and Mathematical Physics (Singapore: World Scientific) [2] Zhang W-M, Feng D H and Gilmore R 1990 Coherent states: theory and some applications Rev. Mod. Phys. 62 867–927 [3] Feng D H, Klauder J R and Strayer M (ed) 1994 Coherent States: Past, Present and Future (Singapore: World Scientific) [4] Ali S T, Antoine J-P, Gazeau J-P and Mueller U A 1995 Coherent states and their generalizations: a mathematical overview Rev. Math. Phys. 7 1013–104 [5] Perelomov A M 1986 Generalized Coherent States and Their Applications (New York: Springer) [6] Ali S T, Antoine J-P and Gazeau J-P 2000 Coherent States, Wavelets and Their Generalizations (New York: Springer) [7] Dodonov V V and Man'ko V I (ed) 2003 Theory of Nonclassical States of Light (London: Taylor & Francis) [8] Gazeau J-P 2009 Coherent States in Quantum Physics (Berlin: Wiley) [9] Combescure M and Robert D 2012 Coherent States and Applications in Mathematical Physics (New York: Springer) 1 A second edition of that volume is in preparation.