All Questions
49 questions
2
votes
0
answers
60
views
Basis vectors using anti-commuting operators?
Let $V$ be a finite-dimensional inner product space. Suppose $A_{1},...,A_{N}$ are anti-commuting operators, meaning that these are linear operators on $V$ that satisfy:
$$A_{i}A_{j}+A_{j}A_{i} = A_{i}...
- 1,305
1
vote
0
answers
89
views
Definition of second quantization
The standard textbook for second quantization is Reed & Simon. However, I am a bit confused with their notation. They write:
Let $\mathscr{H}$ be a Hilbert space, $\mathcal{F}(\mathscr{H})$ the ...
- 1,305
1
vote
0
answers
125
views
Probabilistic interpretation of von Neumann's approach to quantum mechanics
One of the basic postulates in the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics is that the probability of a measurement of an observable $A$ in the state $\psi \in \mathscr{H}$ to return a value in a ...
- 1,305
0
votes
0
answers
241
views
About the proof of Lebesgue decomposition theorem for Hilbert spaces
Let $\mu$ be a Borel measure on $\mathbb{R}$. By the Lebesgue decomposition theorem, there exists measures $\mu_\text{pp}$, $\mu_\text{ac}$ and $\mu_\text{sing}$ such that $\mu = \mu_\text{pp}+\mu_\...
- 1,305
1
vote
0
answers
272
views
Characterization of the Hamiltonian's spectrum in quantum mechanics
This is basically the same question I made on physics stack exchange The spectrum of the Hamiltonian in quantum mechanics, but I got no answers so far and decided to move it to mathoverflow with some ...
- 1,305
6
votes
0
answers
123
views
Can two eigenfunctions be almost linearly dependent in a region?
Consider the Schrödinger operator $H=-\Delta+|x|^a$ on $\mathbb{R}$, where $a>0$. Since the potential is growing at $\infty$, we have compact resolvent thus the eigenvalues are discrete and tend to ...
- 879
4
votes
0
answers
142
views
Generalizing Kato-Seiler-Simon-type inequalities to diamagnetic operators
I recently learned about estimates one can perform with operators on $L^2(\mathbb{R}^n)$ given as $f(x)g(-i\nabla)$, see Chapter 4 in Trace Ideals and their Applications by Professor Barry Simon (the ...
- 243
4
votes
1
answer
141
views
"Open systems" version of Stone's Theorem for one-parameter groups of quantum operations
Let $H$ be a Hilbert space, which we interpret as a space of quantum states.
If $U(t):H\to H$ is a unitary norm-continuous one-parameter group with $U(0)=I$, (essentially) Cauchy's functional ...
- 854
2
votes
0
answers
172
views
Fourier transform harmonic oscillator eigenstates
The normalized eigenfunctions of the quantum harmonic oscillator are
$$\psi_{n}(x)= \frac{1}{\sqrt{2^n n!}} e^{-x^2/2}H_n(x),$$
where $n \in \mathbb N_0$ and $H_n$ is the $n$-th Hermite polynomial, ...
- 124
3
votes
1
answer
155
views
What is the finite-temperature orthogonal/symplectic Tracy-Widom distribution?
The Tracy–Widom distributions admit many interpretations.
One of them is related to quantum mechanics: If we consider $N$ non-interacting fermions confined by the potential $V(x) = x^2$, then in the ...
- 9,501
3
votes
0
answers
219
views
Can any POVM be induced by a quantum instrument?
I suspect this is the obvious result of something in operator algebras, but that's far outside my field.
Recall that a projection-valued measure is a map $E$ from a sigma-algebra $\mathcal{F}$ on ...
- 854
3
votes
0
answers
464
views
Orthonormal basis of eigenvectors of Hamiltonian - Is there any theorem justifying the physicist approach?
In his book The Principles of Quantum Mechanics, Dirac states:
"We call a real dynamical variable whose eigenstates form a complete set an observable."
To Dirac, any observable has a ...
- 1,305
10
votes
1
answer
337
views
What are the predictive implications of conditional non-commutative probability?
To simplify things, let's consider the Hilbert approach to quantum probability over a finite dimensional vector space $V$ of dimension $n$.
In this context a state $S$ is a positive semi-definite ...
- 323
1
vote
1
answer
184
views
limit of Riemann-Stieltjes sums as an integral on $\mathscr{H}$
I was reading Leon Takhtajan's book on quantum mechanics and, at some point, he states the J. von Neumann Theorem. The first part of this theorem is as follows.
For every self-adjoint operator $A$ on ...
- 1,305
6
votes
0
answers
290
views
Two questions about Fock spaces
Let $\mathscr{H}$ be a complex Hilbert space and denote $\mathscr{H}_{n}$ the tensor product $\overbrace{\mathscr{H}\otimes\cdots\otimes\mathscr{H}}^{\text{n}}$. Denote by $\Pi_{\pm}$ the projection ...
- 3,515
18
votes
6
answers
4k
views
What is the best place to learn about the mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics?
I'm looking for good references to learn about the mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics. By mathematical foundations, I do not mean rigorous quantum mechanics in general but the axioms behind ...
- 1,305
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Energy levels of double well potential
Consider the (quantum) Hamiltonian on the real line
$$H=-\frac{\hbar^2}{2m}\frac{d^2}{dx^2}+V(x).$$
Let us assume that the potential $V$ is an even smooth functions with exactly two non-degenerate ...
- 21.8k
2
votes
1
answer
393
views
Is there a Hilbert space approach to commutative probability theory on locally compact spaces?
I was recently made aware (thanks to the answers on Why does Riesz's Representation Theorem apply in quantum mechanics?) that the $C^*$ algebra approach and the Hilbert space approach to quantum ...
- 2,071
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why does Riesz's Representation Theorem apply in quantum mechanics?
$\DeclareMathOperator\tr{tr}$One begins with a quantum mechanical system, i.e. a unital $C^*$-algebra $A$.
It is common to begin the discussion with embedding $A$ into the algebra of bounded operators ...
- 2,071
4
votes
1
answer
424
views
Hilbert space representation of a vector in terms of a continuous eigenbasis
Let $\mathscr{H}$ be a complex Hilbert space and $A$ be an Hermitian operator $A: \mathscr{H}\to \mathscr{H}$. Suppose, for a moment, that $A$ has a set of discrete eigenvalues $\{\lambda_{n}\}_{n\in \...
- 1,305
3
votes
1
answer
386
views
What is the precise relationship between real Poisson algebras and commutative $C^*$ algebras?
I've been teaching myself quantum mechanics, and I realized that I'm missing something fundamental. Namely, there are two pictures that I don't know how to reconcile:
Quantum Mechanics generalizes ...
- 2,071
0
votes
0
answers
168
views
Creation and Annihilation operators in QFT - Part II
Following some suggestions on my previous posts, I'm trying to reformulate my question in a more specific way. This is a continuation of my original post. Since the mentioned post, I think I've ...
- 3,515
6
votes
1
answer
509
views
Path integral as quantum mechanics on the tangent bundle
Let $X$ be a configuration space, a finite-dimensional manifold. By "quantum mechanics on $X$" I mean a linear evolution equation on complex-valued functions on $X$, determined by a ...
- 7,952
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is there a physical reason that fields in QFT are globally defined?
I have been trying to read a physics textbook on Quantum Field theory. There seems to me to be a bit of a disconnect in most texts I have looked at between quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, ...
- 7,952
2
votes
0
answers
158
views
Lippmann-Schwinger equation for the Coulomb potential
Let $H=H_0+V$ be a Hamiltonian on $\mathbb{R}^3$ where $H_0=-\frac{\Delta}{2m}$ is the free Hamiltonian and $V$ is a potential. Let us assume first that $V$ decays sufficiently fast at infinity and ...
- 21.8k
6
votes
2
answers
622
views
Relativistic scattering theory vs non-relativistic one
In relativistic scattering theory (e.g. in quantum electrodynamics) the existence of the $S$-matrix as well as of Moller operators is postulated as far as I understand (although at some stage it has ...
- 21.8k
5
votes
1
answer
552
views
Scattering theory for Coulomb potential
Both physical and mathematical theories of quantum scattering seem to be well developed in the case when the potential (or a more general perturbation of the Laplacian) decays fast enough at infinity ...
- 21.8k
6
votes
2
answers
539
views
Is there a reasonable notion of spectral theorem on a pre-Hilbert space?
I'm trying to understand how bad things could possibly get without Cauchy completeness as a criterion for Hilbert spaces in quantum mechanics. Obviously, doing calculus on a pre-Hilbert space would be ...
- 269
28
votes
6
answers
6k
views
Any real contribution of functional analysis to quantum theory as a branch of physics?
In the last paragraph of this last paper of Klaas Landsman, you can read:
Finally, let me note that this was a winner's (or "whig") history, full of hero-worship: following in the footsteps of ...
2
votes
2
answers
360
views
Estimate of a solution of Schroedinger equation for a free particle
Let $\psi(x,t)$ be a solution of the Schroedinger on the line
$$i\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial t}=-\frac{1}{2m}\frac{\partial^2 \psi}{\partial x^2}.$$
One assumes that $\psi(x,0)$ "behaves well" as $...
- 21.8k
3
votes
2
answers
271
views
Explicit form of S-matrix on the line
Consider the Hamiltonian $H$ on functions on the line with
\begin{eqnarray}
H=H_0+V,\\
H_0=-\frac{1}{2m}\frac{d^2}{dx^2}
\end{eqnarray}
where $V$ is a potential vanishing outside of a bounded interval ...
- 21.8k
4
votes
0
answers
93
views
Conditions on the Hamiltonian of a classical system that yeild essentially self-adjoint quantum Hamiltonian
What are the conditions on the Hamiltonian of a classical system that under these conditions the quantum Hamiltonian obtained via Weyl quantization will be essentially self-adjoint in $L_2(\mathbb{R}^...
- 381
2
votes
0
answers
122
views
Reference on iterated integrals against projection valued measures
I know (to some extent) how integration over $\mathbb{R}$ of a Borel-measurable function against a projection-valued measure works. Recently while reading a paper I came across calculations in which ...
- 183
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Harmonic oscillator in spherical coordinates
It is probably the most well-known result in quantum mechanics that the harmonic oscillator can be solved by supersymmetry.
More precisely, the operator
$$-\frac{d^2}{dx^2}+x^2$$
can be ...
- 113
0
votes
0
answers
237
views
Spectrum of a Hamiltonian on the real line
Consider the following linear (Hamiltonian) operator on functions on the real line $\mathbb{R}$
$$H\psi(x)=-\frac{d^2}{dx^2}\psi(x)+V(x)\psi(x).$$
Assume that $V$ is a smooth function and $V(x)\to +\...
- 21.8k
4
votes
0
answers
70
views
Estimate the composition of a bounded multiplier with a trace class operator
Let $T$ be a trace class operator on $\ell^2 (\mathbb{N})$. Let $A$ be a multiplier on $\ell^2 (\mathbb{N})$ defined by a sequence $a=(a_n)_{n\in\mathbb{N}}$ in $\ell^{\infty} (\mathbb{N})$. That is, ...
- 151
0
votes
1
answer
267
views
Invariance of sets under Schrödinger equations
We are considering the Schrödinger equation on $\mathbb{R}^d \times [0,T]$
$$i \partial_t \psi(x,t)=-\Delta \psi(x,t) + u(t)V(x) \psi(x,t), t>0$$
$$\psi(x,0):=\psi(x_0) \in L^2(\mathbb{R}^d)$$
...
- 115
3
votes
0
answers
57
views
Integration of Weyl operators multiplied by quasifree state over a symplectic space
I am reading the book "An invitation to the Algebra of Canonical Commutation Relations" by Denes Petz. It is freely available for download here. In Chapter 9, he defines the Lebesgue measure on a ...
4
votes
1
answer
633
views
Quantum Mechanics derivation of Wallis' Formula?
Recently there was a proof of the Wallis Product using quantum mechanics on the arXiv. However, there are many proofs of the result, Wikipedia has 4.
Fine Print the first proof has on Wikipedia, the ...
- 22.8k
23
votes
2
answers
3k
views
States in C*-algebras and their origin in physics?
in $C^*-$algebras with unit element, there is the definition of a state, as a functional $\omega$ with $\omega(e)=||\omega||=1.$
Now, of course there is also in classical physics and quantum ...
- 243
6
votes
3
answers
481
views
Quantum Mechanics and bilinear optimal control theory
I was wondering whether there are any rigorous results about the optimal controllability of Schrödinger operators.
So my question is something like this:
Let $i \partial_t \psi(x,t) = H_0(x)\psi(x,t)...
- 259
2
votes
2
answers
732
views
Existence and uniqueness for two-dimensional time-dependent Schrödinger equation
I currently have to deal with time-dependent Schrödinger equations in two variables on bounded domains and wanted to find out about uniqueness and existence of solutions.
Unfortunately, I am a ...
- 181
1
vote
2
answers
352
views
Witten index non-trivial in the context of Quantum Mechanics?
Let $H$ be a self-adjoint Hamiltonian and $H$ admits a decomposition into closed operators $D,D^*$, such that we have $H = D^*D$.
I will now consider the one-dimensional case on a compact set:
So ...
2
votes
1
answer
640
views
Perturbation theory of eigenvalues - Effects of degeneracy/ multiplicity
In Quantum mechanics Schrödinger's perturbation theory is very important (see Wikipedia) which deals with perturbation of the discrete spectrum of a self-adjoint operator.
Where can I find a ...
- 21
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Mathematical equivalent to ladder operators?
A powerful method in theoretical physics are ladder operators. They are used in QM to solve problems like the harmonic oscillator and the hydrogen atom. The idea is to solve with their help the ...
user37929
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
C*-algebraic representation of observables vs self-adjoint operators one
I am trying to reconcile the "physicist" definition of an observable: self-adjoint operator on a Hilbert space, and the operational one as given by Strocchi in "An introduction to the mathematical ...
- 585
3
votes
1
answer
226
views
Analytic continuation of instantaneous eigenstates of a time-dependent hamiltonian
We are considering the instantaneous eigenstates of an analytically time-dependent hamiltonian and I would like to know how legitimate it is to extend them to the complex plane.
Specifically, our ...
- 2,358
15
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is zero a hydrogen eigenvalue?
This question has been bugging me for some time.
Take the hamiltonian for the hydrogen atom: $$\hat{H}=-\frac{1}{2}\nabla^2-\frac{1}{r},$$ acting on (a domain contained in) $L^2(\mathbb{R}^3)$. It is ...
- 2,358
0
votes
1
answer
288
views
The Quantum Operations On The Bipartite Systems
Given two distinct and noninteracting quantum mechanical
systems $\mathfrak{S}\_1$ and $\mathfrak{S}\_2$ with state spaces
$\mathcal H\_1$ and $\mathcal H\_2$, respectively, the state space
of the ...
- 1