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arXiv:quant-ph/0508005 · Canadian Journal of Physics

Star-quantization of an infinite wall

S. V. Kryukov, Mark A. Walton

Published Jan 15, 2006• 7 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

In deformation quantization (a.k.a. the Wigner–Weyl–Moyal formulation of quantum mechanics), we consider a single quantum particle moving freely in one dimension, except for the presence of one infinite potential wall. Dias and Prata pointed out that, surprisingly, its stationary-state Wigner function does not obey the naive equation of motion, i.e., the naive stargenvalue (*-genvalue) equation. We review our recent work on this problem that treats the infinite wall as the limit of a Liouville potential. Also included are some new results: (i) we show explicitly that the Wigner-Weyl transform of the usual density matrix is the physical solution, (ii) we prove that an effective-mass treatment of the problem is equivalent to the Liouville one, and (iii) we point out that self-adjointness of the operator Hamiltonian requires a boundary potential, but one apparently different from that proposed by Dias and Prata. PACS Nos.: 03.65.–w, 03.65.Ca, 03.65.Ge

DOI
10.1139/p06-017

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In deformation quantization (a.k.a. the Wigner–Weyl–Moyal formulation of quantum mechanics), we consider a single quantum particle moving freely in one dimension, except for the presence of one infinite potential wall. Dias and Prata pointed out that, surprisingly, its stationary-state Wigner function does not obey the naive equation of motion, i.e., the naive stargenvalue (*-genvalue) equation. We review our recent work on this problem that treats the infinite wall as the limit of a Liouville potential. Also included are some new results: (i) we show explicitly that the Wigner-Weyl transform of the usual density matrix is the physical solution, (ii) we prove that an effective-mass treatment of the problem is equivalent to the Liouville one, and (iii) we point out that self-adjointness of the operator Hamiltonian requires a boundary potential, but one apparently different from that proposed by Dias and Prata. PACS Nos.: 03.65.–w, 03.65.Ca, 03.65.Ge
We examine the deformation quantization of a single particle moving in one dimension (i) in the presence of an infinite potential wall, (ii) confined by an infinite square well, and (iii) bound by a delta function potential energy. In deformation quantization, considered as an autonomous formulation of quantum mechanics, the Wigner function of stationary states must be found by solving the so-called ∗\\*∗-genvalue (``stargenvalue'') equation for the Hamiltonian. For the cases considered here, this pseudo-differential equation is difficult to solve directly, without an ad hoc modification of the potential. Here we treat the infinite wall as the limit of a solvable exponential potential. Before the limit is taken, the corresponding ∗\\*∗-genvalue equation involves the Wigner function at momenta translated by imaginary amounts. We show that it can be converted to a partial differential equation, however, with a well-defined limit. We demonstrate that the Wigner functions calculated from the standard Schr\\"odinger wave functions satisfy the resulting new equation. Finally, we show how our results may be adapted to allow for the presence of another, non-singular part in the potential.
Quantum mechanics in phase space (or deformation quantization) appears to fail as an autonomous quantum method when infinite potential walls are present. The stationary physical Wigner functions do not satisfy the normal eigen equations, the *-eigen equations, unless an ad hoc boundary potential is added [Dias-Prata]. Alternatively, they satisfy a different, higher-order, ``*-eigen-* equation'', locally, i.e. away from the walls [Kryukov-Walton]. Here we show that this substitute equation can be written in a very simple form, even in the presence of an additional, arbitrary, but regular potential. The more general applicability of the -eigen- equation is then demonstrated. First, using an idea from [Fairlie-Manogue], we extend it to a dynamical equation describing time evolution. We then show that also for general contact interactions, the -eigen- equation is satisfied locally. Specifically, we treat the most general possible (Robin) boundary conditions at an infinite wall, general one-dimensional point interactions, and a finite potential jump. Finally, we examine a smooth potential, that has simple but different expressions for x positive and negative. We find that the -eigen- equation is again satisfied locally. It seems, therefore, that the -eigen- equation is generally relevant to the matching of Wigner functions; it can be solved piece-wise and its solutions then matched.
The Weyl-Wigner formulation of quantum confined systems poses several interesting problems. The energy stargenvalue equation, as well as the dynamical equation does not display the expected solutions. In this paper we review some previous results in the subject and add some new contributions. We reformulate the confined energy eigenvalue equation by adding to the Hamiltonian a new (distributional) boundary potential. The new Hamiltonian is proved to be globally defined and self-adjoint. Moreover, it yields the correct Weyl-Wigner formulation of the confined system.
The Weyl–Wigner formulation of quantum confined systems poses several interesting problems. The energy stargenvalue equation as well as the dynamical equation do not display the expected solutions. In this paper, we review some previous results on the subject and add some new contributions. We reformulate the confined energy eigenvalue equation by adding to the Hamiltonian a new (distributional) boundary potential. The new Hamiltonian is proved to be globally defined and self-adjoint. Moreover, it yields the correct Weyl–Wigner formulation of the confined system.
The physical origin of Robin boundary conditions is investigated for wavefunctions at an infinite reflecting wall. We consider both Schrödinger and phase-space quantum mechanics (also known as deformation quantization) for this simple example of a contact interaction. A non-relativistic particle moving freely on the half-line is treated as moving on the full line in the presence of an infinite potential wall, realized as a limit of a Morse potential. We show that the wavefunctions for the Morse states can become those for a free particle on the half-line with Robin boundary conditions. However, Dirichlet boundary conditions (standard walls) are obtained unless a mass-dependent fine tuning (to a reflection resonance) is imposed. This phenomenon was already observed for piece-wise flat potentials, so it is not removed by smoothing. We argue that it explains why standard quantum walls are standard. Next we consider the Wigner functions (the symbols of both diagonal and off-diagonal density operator elements) of phase-space quantum mechanics. Taking the (fine-tuned) limit, we show that our Wigner functions do reduce to the expected ones on the half-line. This confirms that the Wigner transform should indeed be unmodified for this contact interaction.
The two most important equations of Wigner quantum mechanics are the Moyal and the stargenvalue equations. The latter equation is the Weyl-Wigner transform of the eigenvalue equation of standard operator quantum mechanics and, in the context of the Wigner formulation, is of identical importance. The aim of this letter is to present the formal solution of a general stargenvalue equation in arbitrary dimension, both for continuous and discrete spectra. The properties of the formal solution will be studied and a geometrical interpretation given in terms of star-hypersurfaces in quantum phase space. These results provide further insight into the mathematical structure of phase space quantum mechanics and are especially relevant for the construction of a complete formal solution of Wigner quantum mechanics in the Heisenberg picture. 1