Feynman integral and perturbation theory in quantum tomography

We present a definition for tomographic Feynman path integral as representation for quantum tomograms via Feynman path integral in the phase space. The proposed representation is the potential basis for investigation of Path Integral Monte Carlo numerical methods with quantum tomograms. Tomographic Feynman path integral is a representation of solution of initial problem for evolution equation for tomograms. The perturbation theory for quantum tomograms is constructed.     

Stochastic quantization and detailed balance in Fokker-Planck dynamics

The path integral and operator formulations of the Fokker-Planck equation are considered as stochastic quantizations of underlying Euler-Lagrange equations. The operator formalism is derived from the path integral formalism. It is proved that the Euler-Lagrange equations are invariant under time reversal if detailed balance holds and it is shown that the irreversible behavior is introduced through the stochastic quantization. To obtain these results for the nonconstant diffusion Fokker-Planck equation, a transformation is introduced to reduce it to a constant diffusion Fokker-Planck equation. Critical comments are made on the stochastic formulation of quantum mechanics.     

Path of Momentum Integral in the Skorniakov-Ter-Martirosian Equation

The Skorniakov-Ter-Martirosian (STM) integral equation is widely used for the quantum three-body problems of low-energy particles (e.g., ultracold atom gases). With this equation these three-body problems can be efficiently solved in the momentum space. In this approach the boundary condition for the case that all the three particles are gathered together is described by the upper limit of the momentum integral, i.e., the momentum cutoff. On the other hand, in realistic systems, the three-body recombination (TBR) process can occur when all these three particles are close to each other. In this process two particles form a deep dimer and the other particle can gain high kinetic energy and then escape from the low-energy system. In the presence of the TBR process, the momentum-cutoff in the STM equation would include a non-zero imaginary part. As a result, the momentum integral in the STM equation should be done in the complex-momentum plane. In this case the result of the integral depends on the choice of the integral path. Obviously, only one integral path can lead to the correct result. In this paper we consider how to correctly choose the integral path for the STM equation. We take the atom-dimer scattering problem in a specific ultracold atom gas as an example, and show the results given by different integral paths. Based on the result for this case we explore the reasonable integral paths for general case.     

Koopman‐von Neumann formulation of classical Yang‐Mills theories: I

In this paper we present the Koopman‐von Neumann (KvN) formulation of classical non‐Abelian gauge field theories. In particular we shall explore the functional (or classical path integral) counterpart of the KvN method. In the quantum path integral quantization of Yang‐Mills theories concepts like gauge‐fixing and Faddeev‐Popov determinant appear in a quite natural way. We will prove that these same objects are needed also in this classical path integral formulation for Yang‐Mills theories. We shall also explore the classical path integral counterpart of the BFV formalism and build all the associated universal and gauge charges. These last are quite different from the analog quantum ones and we shall show the relation between the two. This paper lays the foundation of this formalism which, due to the many auxiliary fields present, is rather heavy. Applications to specific topics outlined in the paper will appear in later publications.     

A Discrete, Deterministic Construction of the Phase in Feynman Paths

In the path-integral formulation of quantum mechanics, the phase factor e ^iS(x〈t〉) is associated with every path x〈t〉. Summing this factor over all paths yields Feynman's propagator as a sum-over-paths. In the original formulation, the complex phase was a mathematical device invoked to extract wave behaviour in a particle framework. In this paper we show that the continuous phase itself can have a discrete origin in time reversal and that the propagator can be drawn by a single deterministic path. ¹On leave from Department of Mathematics, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario Canada.     

On the path integral representation of stochastic processes

We derive the path integral representation of the conditional probability for a Markovian process starting from the master equation. Existing derivations require both the variable and the transition probability to be extensive. We show that this requirement may be relaxed if Langer's formula for the transition probability is used. We prove that different path integral representations appearing in the literature are in fact equivalent and correspond to various choices of an arbitrary parameter.This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research (Project SQUID).     

Functional equations for path integrals

We consider the density matrices that arise in the statistical mechanics of the electron-phonon systems. In the path integral representation the phonon coordinates can be eliminated. This leads to an action that depends on pairs of points on a path, that depends explicitly on time differences, and that contains the phonon occupation numbers. The integral is reduced to a standard form by scaling to the thermal length. We use the technique of integration by parts and add specially chosen generating functionals to the action. We set down functional derivative equations for the source-dependent density matrix and for the mass operator. This allows us to develop a series of approximations for the operator in terms of exact propagators. The crudest approximation is a coherent potential approximation applicable at a general temperature.     

Path Integral for a Pair of Time-Dependent Coupled and Driven Oscillators

The propagator for a certain class of two time-dependent coupled and driven harmonic oscillators with time-varying angular frequencies and masses is evaluated by path integration. This is simply done through suitably chosen generalized canonical transformations and without presupposing the knownledge of any auxiliary equation. The time-dependent oscillators system with exponentially growing masses and coupling coefficient in time may be considered as a particular case.     

Path Integrals and Alternative Effective Dynamics in Loop Quantum Cosmology

The alternative dynamics of loop quantum cosmology is examined by the path integral formulation.We consider the spatially flat FRW models with a massless scalar field,where the alternative quantizations inherit more features from full loop quantum gravity.The path integrals can be formulated in both timeless and deparameterized frameworks.It turns out that the effective Hamiltonians derived from the two different viewpoints are equivalent to each other.Moreover,the first-order modified Friedmann equations are derived and predict quantum bounces for contracting universe,which coincide with those obtained in canonical theory.     

Mathai–Quillen Formalism — From the Point of View of Path Integrals

We present here a path integral derivation of Mathai–Quillen formalism which gives a new interpretation of the Gauss–Bonnet–Chern theorem and Hopf–Poincaré theorem.     

Canonical Path Integral Quantization of Einstein's Gravitational Field

The connection between the canonical and the path integral formulations of Einstein's gravitational field is discussed using the Hamilton Jacobi method. Unlike conventional methods, its shown that our path integral method leads to obtain the measure of integration with no -functions, no need to fix any gauge and so no ambiguous determinants will appear.     

Establishing path integral in the entangled state representation for Hamiltonians in quantum optics

Based on two mutually conjugate entangled state representations, we establish the path integral formalism for some Hamiltonians of quantum optics in entangled state representations. The Wigner operator in the entangled state representation is presented. Its advantages are explained.     

Path integration in conical space

Quantum mechanics in conical space is studied by the path integral method. It is shown that the curvature effect gives rise to an effective potential in the radial path integral. It is further shown that the radial path integral in conical space can be reduced to a form identical with that in flat space when the discrete angular momentum of each partial wave is replaced by a specific non-integral angular momentum. The effective potential is found proportional to the squared mean curvature of the conical surface embedded in Euclidean space. The path integral calculation is compatible with the Schrödinger equation modified with the Gaussian and the mean curvature.     

Evolution of Arbitrary States under Fock-Darwin Hamiltonian and a Time-Dependent Electric Field

The method of path integral is employed to calculate the time evolution of the eigenstates of a charged particle under the Fock-Darwin(FD) Hamiltonian subjected to a time-dependent electric field in the plane of the system.An exact analytical expression is established for the evolution of the eigenstates.This result then provides a general solution to the time-dependent Schro¨dinger equation.     

Adler-Bardeen theorem in path integral formulation

The higher order contributions to Jacobian in Fujikawa’s path integral framework is considered and the form of anomaly equation in higher orders is established. An argument for the Adler-Bardeen theorem in this formulation is given.     

含时阻尼谐振子的传播子与严格波函数

通过正则化变换技巧,寻找到一种对阻尼系数随时间变化的阻尼谐振子直接量子化方案,进而采用高斯型传播子和费曼路径积分方法求出了含时阻尼谐振子的严格波函数,并对波函数的普遍意义,坐标和动量的零点涨落以及两者的不确定关系作了讨论 关键词： 含时阻尼 传播子 费曼路径积分     

Path integral approach for Stark broadening of Lyman lines in hydrogen plasma

New results for Lyman lines from hydrogen plasmas are presented using the path integral approach. The influence of plasma components (electrons and ions) on the radiator is analysed separately. The ionic contribution is treated within the path integral approach, while the electronic contribution is estimated by the standard collision operator. The Stark effect, including the ion quadrupole contribution, is considered. The time‐dependent ionic microfield is treated within the path integral approximation using the model microfield method (MMM). The comparison with the quantum statistical approach is performed using a wide range of temperatures (T = 10⁴–10⁷ K) and electron densities (N_e = 10²³–10²⁶ m^?3). Good agreement is mainly obtained for low density and high temperature.     

Introducing Relativistic Quantum Mechanics to Energy Students

A method for introducing relativistic quantum mechanics to energy students is described. The method complements existing modern physics courses and relies on Feynman’s relativistic path integral approach to display a relationship between classical dynamics, quantum theory, and relativistic quantum theory.