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

Classical limit of quantum theories

Iwo Białynicki‐Birula

Published Jan 1, 1972• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

A lecture is given on the correspondence between quantum and classical theories. The novelty lies in the systematic use of coherent states which enable one to discuss quantitatively the transition from quantum to classical theories for particles and for fields as well. (JFP)

Related papers

Introduction to the field theory of classical and quantum phase transitions

Flavio S. Nogueira

These lecture notes provide a relatively self-contained introduction to field theoretic methods employed in the study of classical and quantum phase transitions.

arXiv:1009.1603•Sep 8, 2010•1 citation

How quantum and classical theories relate

Cambridge University Press eBooks•Sep 23, 1999•0 citations

Classical limit of the Nelson model

Marco Falconi

Since the development of quantum mechanics it has been natural to analyze the connection between classical and quantum mechanical descriptions of physical systems. In particular one should expect that in some sense when quantum mechanical effects becomes negligible the system will behave like it is dictated by classical mechanics. One famous relation between classical and quantum theory is due to Ehrenfest. This result was later developed and put on firm mathematical foundations by Hepp. He proved that matrix elements of bounded functions of quantum observables between suitable coherents states (that depend on Planck's constant h) converge to classical values evolving according to the expected classical equations when h goes to zero. His results were later generalized by Ginibre and Velo to bosonic systems with infinite degrees of freedom and scattering theory. In this thesis we study the classical limit of Nelson model, that describes non relativistic particles, whose evolution is dictated by Schrödinger equation, interacting with a scalar relativistic field, whose evolution is dictated by Klein-Gordon equation, by means of a Yukawa-type potential. The classical limit is a mean field and weak coupling limit. We proved that the transition amplitude of a creation or annihilation operator, between suitable coherent states, converges in the classical limit to the solution of the system of differential equations that describes the classical evolution of the theory. The quantum evolution operator converges to the evolution operator of fluctuations around the classical solution. Transition amplitudes of normal ordered products of creation and annihilation operators between coherent states converge to suitable products of the classical solutions. Transition amplitudes of normal ordered products of creation and annihilation operators between fixed particle states converge to an average of products of classical solutions, corresponding to different initial conditions.

•Jan 1, 2012•2 citations

Utilization of Generalized Coherent States in a Quantum-to-Classical Crossover

Paavo Tikka

The topic of this Bachelor's thesis is the quantum-to-classical crossover using generalized coherent states (GCS). In other words, the thesis consists of a mathematically rigorous consideration of the transition between quantum theory and classical theory, and how this can be carried out using the theory of GCS. The necessary mathematical background for this is also reviewed. For the theory of generalized coherent states, Lie algebras and Lie groups are first reviewed. Lie groups are groups with a structure of a differentiable manifold. For the Lie groups we consider, there exist coresponding Lie algebras, whose elements generate the Lie groups using the exponential map. Generalized coherent states are a generalization of Glauber states, which are continuous quantum states used in describing the harmonic oscillator. The generalization is carried through using some Lie group other than the Heisenberg-Weyl group used in defining the Glauber states. A special property of GCS is their semiclassical structure: a structure resembling the classical phase space may be defined in the differentiable manifold used in generating the GCS. An example of GCS are the spin coherent states, generated using the Lie group SU(2). For the coherent states to be applicable in the quantum-to-classical crossover, one has to also find some symmetry so that the system under consideration may be described using a single GCS. In the reference literature it is assumed that a global symmetry enables the description of a system of N elements by a coherent state corresponding to a coherent state of a single element. In the spin chain example however, the symmetry can be explicitly applied on the system and it turns out that this assumption is valid: using suitable symmetries, a spin chain may be represented by a single spin coherent state. The quantum-to-classical crossover can be carried out by defining some classical operators whose expectation value with respect to the GCS corresponds to the functions of classical mechanics. In addition to this, the coherent states in question have to fulfill some requirements. In the case of spin coherent states these requirements are fulfilled and the quantum-to-classical crossover may be carried through.

Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja•Sep 29, 2026•0 citations

Some Thoughts on the Unification of Quantum and Classical Mechanics

Norman Graves

The paper discusses some of the issues related to the unification of quantum theory with classical theory with the aim of providing pointers as to how to go about achieving this.

•Jun 1, 2020•0 citations

Foundations of quantum mechanics?

Göran Lindblad

Does quantum mechanics have unsolved foundational problems? Is there a dividing line between the quantum and classical descriptions of the world? In this paper, I give an elementary introduction to the mathematical aspects of quantum and classical models which have prompted such questions.

Physica Scripta•Jun 28, 2011•30 citations
Since the development of quantum mechanics it has been natural to analyze the connection between classical and quantum mechanical descriptions of physical systems. In particular one should expect that in some sense when quantum mechanical effects becomes negligible the system will behave like it is dictated by classical mechanics. One famous relation between classical and quantum theory is due to Ehrenfest. This result was later developed and put on firm mathematical foundations by Hepp. He proved that matrix elements of bounded functions of quantum observables between suitable coherents states (that depend on Planck's constant h) converge to classical values evolving according to the expected classical equations when h goes to zero. His results were later generalized by Ginibre and Velo to bosonic systems with infinite degrees of freedom and scattering theory. In this thesis we study the classical limit of Nelson model, that describes non relativistic particles, whose evolution is dictated by Schrödinger equation, interacting with a scalar relativistic field, whose evolution is dictated by Klein-Gordon equation, by means of a Yukawa-type potential. The classical limit is a mean field and weak coupling limit. We proved that the transition amplitude of a creation or annihilation operator, between suitable coherent states, converges in the classical limit to the solution of the system of differential equations that describes the classical evolution of the theory. The quantum evolution operator converges to the evolution operator of fluctuations around the classical solution. Transition amplitudes of normal ordered products of creation and annihilation operators between coherent states converge to suitable products of the classical solutions. Transition amplitudes of normal ordered products of creation and annihilation operators between fixed particle states converge to an average of products of classical solutions, corresponding to different initial conditions.
The topic of this Bachelor's thesis is the quantum-to-classical crossover using generalized coherent states (GCS). In other words, the thesis consists of a mathematically rigorous consideration of the transition between quantum theory and classical theory, and how this can be carried out using the theory of GCS. The necessary mathematical background for this is also reviewed. For the theory of generalized coherent states, Lie algebras and Lie groups are first reviewed. Lie groups are groups with a structure of a differentiable manifold. For the Lie groups we consider, there exist coresponding Lie algebras, whose elements generate the Lie groups using the exponential map. Generalized coherent states are a generalization of Glauber states, which are continuous quantum states used in describing the harmonic oscillator. The generalization is carried through using some Lie group other than the Heisenberg-Weyl group used in defining the Glauber states. A special property of GCS is their semiclassical structure: a structure resembling the classical phase space may be defined in the differentiable manifold used in generating the GCS. An example of GCS are the spin coherent states, generated using the Lie group SU(2). For the coherent states to be applicable in the quantum-to-classical crossover, one has to also find some symmetry so that the system under consideration may be described using a single GCS. In the reference literature it is assumed that a global symmetry enables the description of a system of N elements by a coherent state corresponding to a coherent state of a single element. In the spin chain example however, the symmetry can be explicitly applied on the system and it turns out that this assumption is valid: using suitable symmetries, a spin chain may be represented by a single spin coherent state. The quantum-to-classical crossover can be carried out by defining some classical operators whose expectation value with respect to the GCS corresponds to the functions of classical mechanics. In addition to this, the coherent states in question have to fulfill some requirements. In the case of spin coherent states these requirements are fulfilled and the quantum-to-classical crossover may be carried through.