Published October 7, 1990 | Version v1
Journal article

On the probability density interpretation of smoothed Wigner functions

  • 1. Sao Paulo Univ., SP (Brazil). Inst. de Fisica

Description

It has been conjectured that the averages of the Wigner function over phase space volumes, larger than those of minimum uncertainty, are always positive. This is true for Gaussian averaging, so that the Husimi distribution is positive. However, we provide a specific counterexample for the averaging with a discontinuous hat function. The analysis of the specific system of a one-dimensional particle in a box also elucidates the respective advantages of the Wigner and the Husimi functions for the study of the semiclassical limit. The falsification of the averaging conjecture is shown not to depend on the discontinuities of the hat function, by considering the latter as the limit of a sequence of analytic functions. (author)

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Journal of Physics. B, Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics
Journal Volume
23
Journal Issue
19
Series
J. Phys., B Atom. Mol. Opt. Phys.
Journal Page Range
L1025-L1031
ISSN
0953-4075
CODEN
JPAPE

INIS

Country of Publication
United Kingdom
Country of Input or Organization
United Kingdom
INIS RN
22013103
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
PHASE SPACE; PROBABILITY; QUANTUM MECHANICS; SEMICLASSICAL APPROXIMATION; WIGNER THEORY
Descriptors DEC
MATHEMATICAL SPACE; MECHANICS; SPACE