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Momentum-Space Representation of a Quantum State

Pavel Cherkashin

Published Oct 23, 2023• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

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.

DOI
10.31219/osf.io/gxk3b

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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.
In classical physics, the ‘state’ of a particle, at any particular time, is taken to involve a definite position in space and a definite motion; and the state of a system of particles is taken to involve a definite position in space and a definite motion for each of the particles. The situation in relation to quantum mechanics is completely different. As in classical physics, calculations can be made concerning the position and motion of a particle. However, this representation is not by means of symbols for scalar or vector quantities: it is by a more complex mathematical object. This quantum state does not indicate or represent position or motion in any direct way: what it does in substance is to enable calculation of the probability of the particle in question being found to have a position or momentum if an appropriate measurement is made.
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.
In this work we take a closer look at the algebraic-operator correspondence between the momentum space and the position space which defines the form of the canonical momentum operator in position space in Quantum Mechanics (QM). Starting from the Fourier transform (FT) relationship, we present a Hermitian generalization of the canonical momentum operator in position space. The action of the generalized operator is found to generate a local flow accompanied by position-dependent rescaling, rather than a global translation. Explicit eigenfunctions are obtained for representative cases and are shown to possess a well-defined limit to the plane-wave solution in QM. As an illustration, the infinite square well problem is solved using the generalized operator, yielding a deformed spectrum that has a smooth limit to the standard QM result.
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.
A quantum mechanical representation suitable for studying the time evolution of quantum densities in phase space is proposed and examined in detail. This representation on ℒ2 (2) phase space is based on definitions of the operators P̂ and Q̂ in phase space that satisfy various correspondences for the Liouville equation in classical and quantum phase space, as well as quantum position and momentum ℒ2 (1) spaces. The definitions presented here, P̂=p/2−iℏ∂/∂q and Q̂=q/2+iℏ∂/∂p, are related to definitions that have been recently proposed [J. Chem. Phys. 93, 8862 (1990)]. The resulting quantum phase space representation shares many of the mathematical properties of usual representations in coordinate and momentum spaces. Within this representation, time evolution equations for complex-valued functions (wave functions) and their square magnitudes (distribution functions) are derived, and it is shown that the coordinate and momentum space time evolution equations can be recovered by a simple Fourier projection. The phase space quantum probability conservation equation obtained is a good illustration of the quantization rule that requires one to replace the classical Poisson bracket between the Hamiltonian and the probability density with the quantum commutator between the corresponding operators. The possible classical analogs to quantum probabilities densities are also considered and some of the present results are illustrated for the dynamics of the coherent state.