Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical

Phase space propagation of waves in nonhomogeneous media: corrections beyond the optical geometry limit

Omar Morandi

Published Mar 14, 2024• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract We investigate the corrections to the optical geometry approximation for waves traveling in non homogeneous media. We model the wave propagation in dispersive and non dispersive materials in terms of the phase space Wigner–Weyl formalism. The ray tracing optical geometry limit is introduced by numerical tests. We solve the exact Wigner propagation equation for 1D non dispersive materials. We discuss the connection of the Wigner–Weyl description of waves with the particle-wave duality phenomenon in quantum mechanics.

DOI
10.1088/1751-8121/ad33db

Related papers

Wigner functions in optics: describing beams as ray bundles and pulses as particle ensembles

Miguel Angel Alonso

This tutorial gives an overview of the use of the Wigner function as a tool for modeling optical field propagation. Particular emphasis is placed on the spatial propagation of stationary fields, as well as on the propagation of pulses through dispersive media. In the first case, the Wigner function gives a representation of the field that is similar to a radiance or weight distribution for all the rays in the system, since its arguments are both position and direction. In cases in which the field is paraxial and where the system is described by a simple linear relation in the ray regime, the Wigner function is constant under propagation along rays. An equivalent property holds for optical pulse propagation in dispersive media under analogous assumptions. Several properties and applications of the Wigner function in these contexts are discussed, as is its connection with other common phase-space distributions like the ambiguity function, the spectrogram, and the Husimi, P, Q, and Kirkwood–Rihaczek functions. Also discussed are modifications to the definition of the Wigner function that allow extending the property of conservation along paths to a wider range of problems, including nonparaxial field propagation and pulse propagation within general transparent dispersive media.

Advances in Optics and Photonics•Nov 17, 2011•175 citations

Phase space distributions for dispersive media

Jonathan C. Petruccelli, Miguel Angel Alonso

Phase space descriptions of pulses in 1D transparent dispersive media are presented. Unlike the standard Wigner function, spatial propagation/temporal evolution is described exactly by a free-particle-like transformation (e.g. phase space shearing) for any dispersion relation.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2009•0 citations

On the motion of classical and quantum complex scalar waves in non-homogeneous media

Traian Popescu

Abstract The present paper concerns a formalism aimed to describe the behavior and trajectories of complex scalar waves with space-varying amplitude in media characterized by variable refractive index. The classical wave equation is transformed into an eikonal-type equation, without imposing the geometrical optics limit, satisfied by an effective refractive index. The effective index combines the refractive properties of the medium with self-refraction phenomena generated by the space dependence of the wave amplitude. It also induces wave packet dispersion, leading to relations between the group and phase velocities that are particularly relevant in the context of de Broglie waves. The equations of motion are provided, and it is shown that the self-refraction term bends the trajectory of the wave and changes its velocity. The dynamics is dictated by the curvature of the trajectory expressed in terms of the gradient of the effective refractive index. The uncovered findings point toward a possible generalization of geometrical optics with relevant implications for its relation to quantum mechanics, general relativity and transformation optics.

The European Physical Journal Plus•Aug 13, 2025•1 citation

Modes and Noise Propagation in Phase Space

J. Ben-Benjamin, Leon W. Cohen

Abstract We show that phase space methods developed for quantum mechanics, such as the Wigner distribution, can be effectively used to study the evolution of nonstationary noise in dispersive media. We formulate the issue in terms of modes and show how modes evolve and how they are effected by sources.We show that each mode satisfies a Schrödinger type equation where the “Hamiltonian” may not be Hermitian. The Hamiltonian operator corresponds to dispersion relationwhere thewavenumber is replaced by the wavenumber operator. A complex dispersion relation corresponds to a non Hermitian operator and indicates that we have attenuation. A number of examples are given.

Coherent Phenomena•Jan 24, 2015•4 citations

Phase-shift equations in the scattering theory of particles and waves

Леонид Петрович Пресняков

The phase-shift equations are derived in a form that is convenient for the analysis of both the radial Schr\"odinger equation and the problem of wave propagation in nonhomogeneous media. In the case of bound quantum states, the conservation condition is discussed for the sum of the classical action (or eikonal) and the phase. The expression for the reflection coefficient describes exactly two opposite limiting cases: the Fresnel reflection and the short-wavelength limit. In the case of wave propagation in symmetric media, both transmission and reflection coefficients are given as elementary functions of the phase shifts only.

Physical Review A•Nov 1, 1991•14 citations

ON THE PROPAGATION OF SEMICLASSICAL WIGNER FUNCTIONS

P. P. De, Pedro de M. Rios, A. M. Ozorio +1 more

Abstract. We establish the difference between the propagation of semiclassical Wigner functions and classical Liouville propagation. First we re-discuss the semiclassical limit for the propagator of Wigner functions, which on its own leads to their classical propagation. Then, via stationary phase evaluation of the full integral evolution equation, using the semiclassical expressions of Wigner functions, we provide the correct geometrical prescription for their semiclassical propagation. This is determined by the classical trajectories of the tips of the chords defined by the initial semiclassical Wigner function and centered on their arguments, in contrast to the Liouville propagation which is determined by the classical trajectories of the arguments themselves. 1. introduction The Wigner [11] function W is a representation of the quantum density operator ˆρ as a real function on phase space, for a non-relativistic dynamical system with classical-quantum correspondence and n degrees of freedom. Here, all the underlying geometry is euclidean and we can include the Wigner function within the general framework of Weyl representation of operators: Â → A ∈ Ck IR (IR2n), so W(x) = (2π�) −n ρ(x) , where x ≡ (p1,...pn, q1,...qn) denotes a point in phase space. In this context, the quantum evolution of the density operator ˆρt effected by an autonomous external hamiltonian

•Jan 1, 2001•39 citations
Abstract We investigate the corrections to the optical geometry approximation for waves traveling in non homogeneous media. We model the wave propagation in dispersive and non dispersive materials in terms of the phase space Wigner–Weyl formalism. The ray tracing optical geometry limit is introduced by numerical tests. We solve the exact Wigner propagation equation for 1D non dispersive materials. We discuss the connection of the Wigner–Weyl description of waves with the particle-wave duality phenomenon in quantum mechanics.
This tutorial gives an overview of the use of the Wigner function as a tool for modeling optical field propagation. Particular emphasis is placed on the spatial propagation of stationary fields, as well as on the propagation of pulses through dispersive media. In the first case, the Wigner function gives a representation of the field that is similar to a radiance or weight distribution for all the rays in the system, since its arguments are both position and direction. In cases in which the field is paraxial and where the system is described by a simple linear relation in the ray regime, the Wigner function is constant under propagation along rays. An equivalent property holds for optical pulse propagation in dispersive media under analogous assumptions. Several properties and applications of the Wigner function in these contexts are discussed, as is its connection with other common phase-space distributions like the ambiguity function, the spectrogram, and the Husimi, P, Q, and Kirkwood–Rihaczek functions. Also discussed are modifications to the definition of the Wigner function that allow extending the property of conservation along paths to a wider range of problems, including nonparaxial field propagation and pulse propagation within general transparent dispersive media.
Abstract The present paper concerns a formalism aimed to describe the behavior and trajectories of complex scalar waves with space-varying amplitude in media characterized by variable refractive index. The classical wave equation is transformed into an eikonal-type equation, without imposing the geometrical optics limit, satisfied by an effective refractive index. The effective index combines the refractive properties of the medium with self-refraction phenomena generated by the space dependence of the wave amplitude. It also induces wave packet dispersion, leading to relations between the group and phase velocities that are particularly relevant in the context of de Broglie waves. The equations of motion are provided, and it is shown that the self-refraction term bends the trajectory of the wave and changes its velocity. The dynamics is dictated by the curvature of the trajectory expressed in terms of the gradient of the effective refractive index. The uncovered findings point toward a possible generalization of geometrical optics with relevant implications for its relation to quantum mechanics, general relativity and transformation optics.
Abstract We show that phase space methods developed for quantum mechanics, such as the Wigner distribution, can be effectively used to study the evolution of nonstationary noise in dispersive media. We formulate the issue in terms of modes and show how modes evolve and how they are effected by sources.We show that each mode satisfies a Schrödinger type equation where the “Hamiltonian” may not be Hermitian. The Hamiltonian operator corresponds to dispersion relationwhere thewavenumber is replaced by the wavenumber operator. A complex dispersion relation corresponds to a non Hermitian operator and indicates that we have attenuation. A number of examples are given.
The phase-shift equations are derived in a form that is convenient for the analysis of both the radial Schr\"odinger equation and the problem of wave propagation in nonhomogeneous media. In the case of bound quantum states, the conservation condition is discussed for the sum of the classical action (or eikonal) and the phase. The expression for the reflection coefficient describes exactly two opposite limiting cases: the Fresnel reflection and the short-wavelength limit. In the case of wave propagation in symmetric media, both transmission and reflection coefficients are given as elementary functions of the phase shifts only.
Abstract. We establish the difference between the propagation of semiclassical Wigner functions and classical Liouville propagation. First we re-discuss the semiclassical limit for the propagator of Wigner functions, which on its own leads to their classical propagation. Then, via stationary phase evaluation of the full integral evolution equation, using the semiclassical expressions of Wigner functions, we provide the correct geometrical prescription for their semiclassical propagation. This is determined by the classical trajectories of the tips of the chords defined by the initial semiclassical Wigner function and centered on their arguments, in contrast to the Liouville propagation which is determined by the classical trajectories of the arguments themselves. 1. introduction The Wigner [11] function W is a representation of the quantum density operator ˆρ as a real function on phase space, for a non-relativistic dynamical system with classical-quantum correspondence and n degrees of freedom. Here, all the underlying geometry is euclidean and we can include the Wigner function within the general framework of Weyl representation of operators: Â → A ∈ Ck IR (IR2n), so W(x) = (2π�) −n ρ(x) , where x ≡ (p1,...pn, q1,...qn) denotes a point in phase space. In this context, the quantum evolution of the density operator ˆρt effected by an autonomous external hamiltonian