Submanifolds in the thermodynamic phase space

The paper deals with submanifolds (constraints) in the so-called thermodynamic phase space (TPS). It has been shown that in each regular submanifold one can define a reduced contact space and that under some conditions properties of TPS may be projected onto the reduced space. It is also proved that Dirac's concept of a class of constraints can be determined algebraically by means of Cartan's bracket. Only contact manifolds are considered, without referring to symplectic ones.     

Phase transition and thermodynamic stability in extended phase space and charged Hořava–Lifshitz black holes

For charged black holes in Ho?ava–Lifshitz gravity, a second order phase transition takes place in extended phase space where the cosmological constant is taken as thermodynamic pressure. We relate the second order nature of phase transition to the fact that the phase transition occurs at a sharp temperature and not over a temperature interval. Once we know the continuity of the first derivatives of the Gibbs free energy, we show that all the Ehrenfest equations are readily satisfied. We study the effect of the perturbation of the cosmological constant as well as the perturbation of the electric charge on thermodynamic stability of Ho?ava–Lifshitz black hole. We also use thermodynamic geometry to study phase transition in extended phase space. We investigate the behavior of scalar curvature of Weinhold, Ruppeiner, and Quevedo metric in extended phase space of charged Ho?ava–Lifshitz black holes. It is checked if these curvatures could reproduce the result of specific heat for the phase transition.     

Symplectic Runge-Kutta and related methods: recent results

Symplectic algorithms are numerical integrators for Hamiltonian systems that preserve the symplectic structure in phase space. In long time integrations these algorithms tend to perform better than their nonsymplectic counterparts. Some symplectic algorithms are derived by explicitly finding a generating function. Other symplectic algorithms are members of standard families of methods, such as Runge-Kutta methods, that just turn out to preserve the symplectic structure. Here we survey what is known about the second type of symplectic algorithms.     

Deformation Dynamics and the Gauss–Bonnet Topological Term in String Theory

We show that there exists a nontrivial contribution on the Witten covariant phase space when the Gauss–Bonnet topological term is added to the Dirac–Nambu–Goto action describing strings, because the geometry of deformations is modified, and on such space we construct a symplectic structure. Future extensions of the present results are outlined.     

The Poincaré group as the symmetry group of canonical general relativity

This work reconsiders the formulation, due to Regge and Teitelboim, of the phase space approach to general relativity in the asymptotically flat context, phrasing it in the language of symplectic geometry. The necessary boundary conditions at spatial infinity are spelled out in detail. Precise meaning is given to the statement that, as a result of these boundary conditions, the Poincaré group acts as a symmetry group on the phase space of general relativity. This situation is compared with the spi-picture of Ashtekar and Hansen, where a larger asymptotic symmetry group is obtained.     

The Hamiltonian structure of the Maxwell-Vlasov equations

Morrison [25] has observed that the Maxwell-Vlasov and Poisson-Vlasov equations for a collisionless plasma can be written in Hamiltonian form relative to a certain Poisson bracket. We derive another Poisson structure for these equations by using general methods of symplectic geometry. The main ingredients in our construction are the symplectic structure on the co-adjoint orbits for the group of canonical transformations, and the symplectic structure for the phase space of the electromagnetic field regarded as a gauge theory. Our Poisson bracket satisfies the Jacobi identity, whereas Morrison's does not [37]. Our construction also shows where canonical variables can be found and can be applied to the Yang-Mills-Vlasov equations and to electromagnetic fluid dynamics.     

Classical Mechanics in Hilbert Space,Part 1

We consider the Hamilton formulation as well as the Hamiltonian flows on a symplectic (phase) space. These symplectic spaces are derivable from the Lie group of symmetries of the physical system considered. In Part 2 of this work, we then obtain the Hamiltonian formalism in the Hilbert spaces of square integrable functions on the symplectic spaces so obtained.     

An algebraic approach to discrete mechanics

Using basic ideas from algebraic geometry, we extend the methods of Lagrangian and symplectic mechanics to treat a large class of discrete mechanical systems, that is, systems such as cellular automata in which time proceeds in integer steps and the configuration space is discrete. In particular, we derive an analog of the Euler-Lagrange equation from a variational principle, and prove an analog of Noether's theorem. We also construct a symplectic structure on the analog of the phase space, and prove that it is preserved by time evolution.     

Quantization of Teichmüller Spaces and the Quantum Dilogarithm

The Teichmüller space of punctured surfaces with the Weil–Petersson symplectic structure and the action of the mapping class group is realized as the Hamiltonian reduction of a finite-dimensional symplectic space where the mapping class group acts by symplectic rational transformations. Upon quantization, the corresponding (projective) representation of the mapping class group is generated by the quantum dilogarithms.     

Geometric quantization of the BRST charge

In the first half of this paper (Sects. 1–4) we generalise the standard geometric quantization procedure to symplectic supermanifolds. In the second half (Sects. 5, 6) we apply this to two examples that exhibit classical BRST symmetry, i.e., we quantize the BRST charge and the ghost number. More precisely, in the first example we consider the reduced symplectic manifold obtained by symplectic reduction from a free group action with Ad^*-equivariant moment map; in the second example we consider a foliated configuration space, whose cotangent bundle admits the construction of a BRST charge associated to this foliation. We show that the classical BRST symmetry can be described in terms of a hamiltonian supergroup action on the extended phase space, and that geometric quantization gives us a super-unitary representation of this supergroup. Finally we point out how these results are related to reduction at the quantum level, as compared with the reduction at the classical level.Research supported by the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (NWO)     

Explicit multi-symplectic extended leap-frog methods for Hamiltonian wave equations

In this paper, we study the integration of Hamiltonian wave equations whose solutions have oscillatory behaviors in time and/or space. We are mainly concerned with the research for multi-symplectic extended Runge–Kutta–Nyström (ERKN) discretizations and the corresponding discrete conservation laws. We first show that the discretizations to the Hamiltonian wave equations using two symplectic ERKN methods in space and time respectively lead to an explicit multi-symplectic integrator (Eleap-frogI). Then we derive another multi-symplectic discretization using a symplectic ERKN method in time and a symplectic partitioned Runge–Kutta method, which is equivalent to the well-known Störmer–Verlet method in space (Eleap-frogII). These two new multi-symplectic schemes are extensions of the leap-frog method. The numerical stability and dispersive properties of the new schemes are analyzed. Numerical experiments with comparisons are presented, where the two new explicit multi-symplectic methods and the leap-frog method are applied to the linear wave equation and the Sine–Gordon equation. The numerical results confirm the superior performance and some significant advantages of our new integrators in the sense of structure preservation.     

The Noncommutative Harmonic Oscillator Based on Symplectic Representation of Galilei Group

We study symplectic unitary representations for the Galilei group and derive the Schrödinger equation in phase space. Our formalism is based on the noncommutative structure of the star product. Guided by group theoretical concepts, we construct a physically consistent phase-space theory in which each state is described by a quasi-probability amplitude associated with the Wigner function. As applications, we derive the Wigner functions for the 3D harmonic oscillator and the noncommutative oscillator in phase space.     

Vlasov equation on a symplectic leaf

The infinite dimensional phase space of the Vlasov equation is foliated by symplectic manifolds (leaves) which are invariant under the dynamics. By adopting a Lie transform representation, exp{W, }, for near-identity canonical transformations we obtain a local coordinate system on a leaf. The evolution equation defined by restricting the Vlasov equation to the leaf is approximately represented by the evolution of W. We derive the equation for ∂_tW and show that it is hamiltonian relative to the nondegenerate Kirillov-Kostant-Souriau symplectic structure.     

Symplectic quantum mechanics

Using the notion of symplectic structure and Weyl (or star) product of non-commutative geometry, we construct unitary representations for the Galilei group and show how to rewrite the Schrödinger equation in phase space. This approach gives rise to a new procedure to derive Wigner functions without the use of the Liouville-von Neumann equation. Applications are presented by deriving the states of linear and nonlinear oscillators in terms of amplitudes of probability in phase space. The notion of coherent states is also discussed in this context.     

Categorified Symplectic Geometry and the Classical String

A Lie 2-algebra is a ‘categorified’ version of a Lie algebra: that is, a category equipped with structures analogous to those of a Lie algebra, for which the usual laws hold up to isomorphism. In the classical mechanics of point particles, the phase space is often a symplectic manifold, and the Poisson bracket of functions on this space gives a Lie algebra of observables. Multisymplectic geometry describes an n-dimensional field theory using a phase space that is an ‘n-plectic manifold’: a finite-dimensional manifold equipped with a closed nondegenerate (n + 1)-form. Here we consider the case n = 2. For any 2-plectic manifold, we construct a Lie 2-algebra of observables. We then explain how this Lie 2-algebra can be used to describe the dynamics of a classical bosonic string. Just as the presence of an electromagnetic field affects the symplectic structure for a charged point particle, the presence of a B field affects the 2-plectic structure for the string.     

On Covariant Phase Space and the Variational Bicomplex

The notion of a phase space in classical mechanics is well known. The extension of this concept to field theory however, is a challenging endeavor, and over the years numerous proposals for such a generalization have appeared in the literature. In this paper We review a Hamiltonian formulation of Lagrangian field theory based on an extension to infinite dimensions of J.-M. Souriau's symplectic approach to mechanics. Following G. Zuckerman, we state our results in terms of the modern geometric theory of differential equations and the variational bicomplex. As an elementary example, we construct a phase space for the Monge–Ampere equation.     

Phase transitions in four-dimensional AdS black holes with a nonlinear electrodynamics source

In this work we consider black hole solutions to Einstein's theory coupled to a nonlinear power-law electromagnetic field with a fixed exponent value. We study the extended phase space thermodynamics in canonical and grand canonical ensembles, where the varying cosmological constant plays the role of an effective thermodynamic pressure. We examine thermodynamical phase transitions in such black holes and find that both first- and second-order phase transitions can occur in the canonical ensemble while, for the grand canonical ensemble, Hawking–Page and second-order phase transitions are allowed.     

Noncommutative coordinate picture of the quantum phase space

We illustrate an isomorphic representation of the observable algebra for quantum mechanics in terms of the functions on the projective Hilbert space, and its Hilbert space analog, with a noncommutative product in terms of explicit coordinates and discuss the physical and dynamical picture. The isomorphism is then used as a base for the translation of the differential symplectic geometry of the infinite dimensional manifolds onto the observable algebra as a noncommutative geometry. Hence, we obtain the latter from the physical theory itself. We have essentially an extended formalism of the Schr̎odinger versus Heisenberg picture which we describe mathematically as like a coordinate map from the phase space, for which we have presented argument to be seen as the quantum model of the physical space, to the noncommutative geometry coordinated by the six position and momentum operators. The observable algebra is taken essentially as an algebra of formal functions on the latter operators. The work formulates the intuitive idea that the noncommutative geometry can be seen as an alternative, noncommutative coordinate, picture of familiar quantum phase space, at least so long as the symplectic geometry is concerned.     

Non-minimally coupled scalar fields, Holst action and black hole mechanics

The paper deals with the extension of the Weak Isolated Horizon (WIH) formulation of black hole horizons to the non-minimally coupled scalar fields. In the early part of the paper, we introduce an appropriate Holst type action to incorporate scalar fields non-minimally coupled to gravity and construct the covariant phase space of the theory. Using this phase space, we proceed to prove the laws of black hole mechanics. Further, we show that with a gauge fixing, the symplectic structure on the horizon reduces to that of a U(1) Chern–Simons theory. The level of the Chern–Simons theory is shown to depend on the non-minimally coupled scalar field.     

Classical mechanics in phase space revisited

A Bose type of classical Hamilton algebra, i.e., the algebra of the canonical formalism of classical mechanics, is represented on a linear space of functions of phase space variables. The symplectic metric of the phase space and possible algorithms of classical mechanics (which include the standard one) are derived. It is shown that to each of the classical algorithms there is a corresponding one in the phase space formulation of quantum mechanics.