Quantum caustics for systems with quadratic Lagrangians in multi-dimensions
Description
We study quantum caustics (i.e., the quantum analogue of the classical singularity in the Dirichlet boundary problem) in d-dimensional systems with quadratic Lagrangians of the form L=((1)/(2))Pij(t) xixj+Qij(t) xixj+((1)/(2))Rij(t) xixj+Si(t) xi. Based on Schulman's procedure in the path-integral we derive the transition amplitude on caustics in a closed form for generic multiplicity f, and thereby complete the previous analysis carried out for the maximal multiplicity case (f=d). The unitarity relation, together with the initial condition, fulfilled by the amplitude is found to be a key ingredient for determining the amplitude, which reduces to the well-known expression with Van Vleck determinant for the non-caustics case (f=0). Multiplicity dependence of the caustics phenomena is illustrated by examples of a particle interacting with external electromagnetic fields
Additional details
Identifiers
- PII
- S0003491699959717;
Publishing Information
- Journal Title
- Annals of Physics (New York)
- Journal Volume
- 279
- Journal Issue
- 1
- Journal Page Range
- p. 104-125
- ISSN
- 0003-4916
- CODEN
- APNYA6
INIS
- Country of Publication
- United States
- Country of Input or Organization
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- INIS RN
- 35002191
- Subject category
- S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
- Descriptors DEI
- CAUSALITY; DIRICHLET PROBLEM; ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS; LAGRANGIAN FUNCTION; MANY-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS; PATH INTEGRALS; QUANTUM MECHANICS; VAN VLECK THEORY
- Descriptors DEC
- BOUNDARY-VALUE PROBLEMS; FUNCTIONS; INTEGRALS; MECHANICS
Optional Information
- Copyright
- Copyright (c) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.