On the relation between classical and quantum observables

For systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom, the relation between classical and quantum observables is analysed. In particular, a precise statement of the correspondence limit is obtained.     

Relation between classical and quantum mechanics

Expressions for the Lie derivatives of functions of non-commuting variables are derived and used to reformulate classical mechanics. This is possible only if the phase space variables commute, or if they satisfy Heisenberg's commutation relations.This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation Grant Number NSF GP-14803, and by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, contract number AFOSR 68-1524.     

Equations for generating functionals in classical and quantum statistical mechanics

This paper develops a formalism for the generating functionals for partial distribution functions in classical statistical mechanics and partial density matrices in quantum statistical mechanics. For the case of a large canonical ensemble, functional equations are written with respect to the functionals introduced. Each functional system creates a system of integral equations for distribution functions or density matrices.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii Fizika, No. 9, pp. 98–102, September, 1971.     

Development of the analogy between classical and quantum mechanics

A quantum-mechanical generalisation of Carathéodory’s theorem in classical dynamics is established. Several related properties of classical canonical transformations are also generalised to the quantum case.     

On classical representations of finite-dimensional quantum mechanics

In the case of a finite-dimensional Hilbert space, it is shown that quantum mechanics can be embedded into discrete classical probability theory. In particular, states can be represented as stochastic vectors and observables as random variables such that all probabilities and expectation values are given in classical terms.     

On the statistical mechanics of classical Coulomb and dipole gases

A detailed, rigorous study of the statistical mechanics-screening- and critical properties, phase diagrams, etc., of classical Coulomb monopole and dipole gases in two or more dimensions is presented. The statistical mechanics of the two-dimensionalXY and Villain models is reconsidered and related to the one of two-dimensional lattice Coulomb gases. At low temperatures and moderate densities those gases behave like dipole gases. The Kosterlitz-Thouless transition is analyzed in that perspective and characterized by an order parameter. Techniques useful for a proof of existence of such a transition in a two-dimensional hard-core Coulomb gas are developed and applied to the study of dipole gases.A Sloan Fellow, and supported in part by NSF grant No. DMR 7904355.     

On the equilibrium states in quantum statistical mechanics

Representations of theC*-algebra of observables corresponding to thermal equilibrium of a system at given temperatureT and chemical potential are studied. Both for finite and for infinite systems it is shown that the representation is reducible and that there exists a conjugation in the representation space, which maps the von Neumann algebra spanned by the representative of onto its commutant. This means that there is an equivalent anti-linear representation of in the commutant. The relation of these properties with the Kubo-Martin-Schwinger boundary condition is discussed.     

Nonlinear quantum mechanics as weyl geometry of a classical statistical ensemble

We derive nonlinear relativistic and non-relativistic wave equations for spin-0 and 1/2 particles. For a suitable choice of coupling constants, the equations become linear and Weyl gauge invariant in the spin-0 case. The Dirac particle is much more subtle. When a suitable gauge is chosen and, when the Compton wavelength of the particle is much larger than Planck's length, we recover the standard Dirac equation. Nonlinear corrections to the Schrödinger equation are obtained and these appear as the first-order relativistic corrections to the non-relativistic Hamilton-Jacobi equation. Consequently, we construct nonbilinear homogeneous realizations of anapproximate Galilean symmetry. We put forth the idea that not only a modification of quantum mechanics might be necessary in order to accommodate gravity, but quantum mechanics itself might have a geometrical origin with Planck's constant as the coupling between matter and curvature.1. We thank L. Boya for this remark.2. If we wish to have nodes for stationary states then we must require that has an inflection point at the node, i.e., ² is zero at such node.3. I. Bialynicki-Biruli and J. Mycielski,Ann. Phys. (N. Y.) 100, 62–93 (1976).     

Two examples illustrating the differences between classical and quantum mechanics

Two examples are presented: The first shows that a potentialV(x) can be in the limit circle case at even if the classical travel time to is infinite. The second shows thatV(x) can be in the limit point case at even though the classical travel time to infinity is finite. The first example illustrates the reflection of quantum waves at sharp steps. The second example illustrates the tunnel effect.This research was partially supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant GP-34260.For help with the diagrams, the authors thank Bob Johnson.     

On the analyticity in the potential in classical statistical mechanics

Some general results on strong cluster properties of connected or partially connected correlations, and their links with analyticity properties with respect to the potential or to classes of perturbations of the potential are presented.Equipe de Recherche du C.N.R.S. No. 174     

An interpretation within philosophy of the relationship between classical mechanics and quantum mechanics

A mapping of a finite directed graph onto a curve in space-time is considered. The mapping induces the dynamics of a free particle moving along the curve. The distinction between the Lagrangian and the Hamiltonian formulation of particle mechanics is expressed in terms of the distinction between referring to a particle in space and time and referring to the points in space which the particle occupies, respectively. These elements are combined to yield an interpretation of Feynman's path integral formulation of quantum mechanics. Describing a bound state of a system as a particle is discussed.     

On the equilibrium statistical mechanics of isothermal classical self-gravitating matter

The canonical ensemble is investigated for classical self-gravitating matter in a finite container ^{[d] d} ,d=3 and 2. Starting with modified gravitational interactions (smoothed-out singularity), it is proven by explicit construction that, in thew ^*-topology, the canonical equilibrium measure converges to a superposition of Dirac measures when the limit of exact Newtonian gravitational interactions between classical point particles is taken. The consequences of this result for more realistic classical systems are evaluated, and the existence of a gravitational phase transition is proven. The results are discussed with view toward applications in astrophysics and space science. Some attention is paid also to the problem of founding thermodynamics by means of statistical mechanics.     

Unification theory of classical statistical uncertainty relation and quantum uncertainty relation and its applications

General classical statistical uncertainty relation is deduced and generalized to quantum uncertainty relation. We give a general unification theory of the classical statistical and quantum uncertainty relations, and prove that the classical limit of quantum mechanics is just classical statistical mechanics. It is shown that the classical limit of the general quantum uncertainty relation is the general classical uncertainty relation. Also, some specific applications show that the obtained theory is self-consistent and coincides with those from physical experiments.     

On the equations of state in quantum statistical mechanics

By extending methods previously used to study the equations of state at low temperature, it is shown that the entropy density and the statistical average of a conserved, non-spontaneously violated, charge density can be expanded in terms of integrals over products of many body n-point amplitudes defined for real, continuous frequencies. The general structure of the expansions is described, and it is demonstrated that essentially the same spectral function determines the entropy density and the average charge densities. Certain classes of terms are worked out in detail, and the formal sum of one such class is shown to provide the contributions to the equations of state arising from composite quasiparticles associated with the poles of the n-point amplitudes. [Another term, discussed in many previous works, involves the logarithms of the elementary propagators and yields the contributions to the equations of state coming from elementary quasiparticles.]The Appendices include an extensive study of the analytic properties of many body amplitudes in the frequencies of the external and internal lines. Specialized to zero temperature, these considerations apply to the Feynman diagrams for elementary particle amplitudes.     

On locally normal states in quantum statistical mechanics

A sufficient condition is given in order that a von Neumann algebra with cyclic vector is quasi-standard. With the help of this result it is proved that a locally normal state with a cyclic and separating vector in the representation space gives rise to a quasi-standard von Neumann algebra. Furthermore it is proved that the representation space determined by a locally normal state in the G.N.S. construction is separable.     

The transitions among classical mechanics,quantum mechanics,and stochastic quantum mechanics

Various formalisms for recasting quantum mechanics in the framework of classical mechanics on phase space are reviewed and compared. Recent results in stochastic quantum mechanics are shown to avoid the difficulties encountered by the earlier approach of Wigner, as well as to avoid the well-known incompatibilities of relativity and ordinary quantum theory. Specific mappings among the various formalisms are given.     

Superposition in quantum and classical mechanics

Using the mathematical notion of an entity to represent states in quantum and classical mechanics, we show that, in a strict sense, proper superpositions are possible in classical mechanics.Dedicated to the Memory of Charles H. Randall.