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I) The associative non-commutative Moyal/Groenewold/star product $f\star g$ is explained on Wikipedia. The corresponding $\star$-commutator is defined as

$$\tag{1} [f\stackrel{\star}{,} g]~:=~f\star g-g\star f.$$

In particular, the Jacobi identity for the $\star$-commutator is a consequence of the associativity of the $\star$-product.

II) On one hand, there is the algebra of functionfunctions, say, the algebra $\mathbb{C}[[x]]$ of powerseries in indeterminates $x_a$. We equip it with a unit $1$ and the $\star$-product$^1$ so that

$$\tag{2} [x_a\stackrel{\star}{,}x_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}.$$

III) On onethe other hand, there is the Heisenberg algebra $({\cal A}, +, \circ)$ generated by

$$\tag{3} [X_a\stackrel{\circ}{,}X_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}{\bf 1}.$$

Here the elements of the Heisenberg algebra are (linear) operators acting on functions; the algebra product $\circ$ is composition; the algebra unit ${\bf 1}$ is the identity operator; and

$$\tag{4} [A \stackrel{\circ}{,}B]~:=~A \circ B - B \circ A$$

is the usual composition commutator of two operators $A$ and $B$.

IV) There is a unique algebra isomorphism

$$\tag{5} (\mathbb{C}[[x_a]],+, \star) ~\stackrel{\Phi}{\longrightarrow}~({\cal A}, +, \circ) $$

generated by

$$\tag{6} \Phi(x_a)~:=~X_a.$$

It follows that the algebra isomorphism $\Phi$ maps the (2) into (3).

V) The Heisenberg algebra acts on the algebra $\mathbb{C}[[x]]$, i.e. an operator $A$ acts on a function $\psi$ and produce a new function $A(\psi)$. Concretely, for an element $A\in {\cal A}$ define

$$\tag{7} A(\psi)~:=~\Phi^{-1}(A) \star \psi. $$

Equivalently,

$$\tag{8} \Phi(f) (g)~:=~f \star g. $$

It is not hard to see that the definition (7) is consistent with that $\Phi$ is an algebra isomorphism.

--

$^1$ There is also the standard commutative and associative pointwise multiplication $\cdot$ of functionfunctions, which plays almost no role here.

I) The associative non-commutative Moyal/Groenewold/star product $f\star g$ is explained on Wikipedia. The corresponding $\star$-commutator is defined as

$$\tag{1} [f\stackrel{\star}{,} g]~:=~f\star g-g\star f.$$

In particular, the Jacobi identity for the $\star$-commutator is a consequence of the associativity of the $\star$-product.

II) On one hand there is the algebra of function, say, the algebra $\mathbb{C}[[x]]$ of powerseries in indeterminates $x_a$. We equip it with a unit $1$ and the $\star$-product$^1$ so that

$$\tag{2} [x_a\stackrel{\star}{,}x_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}.$$

III) On one hand, there is the Heisenberg algebra $({\cal A}, +, \circ)$ generated by

$$\tag{3} [X_a\stackrel{\circ}{,}X_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}{\bf 1}.$$

Here the elements of the Heisenberg algebra are (linear) operators acting on functions; the algebra product $\circ$ is composition; the algebra unit ${\bf 1}$ is the identity operator; and

$$\tag{4} [A \stackrel{\circ}{,}B]~:=~A \circ B - B \circ A$$

is the usual composition commutator of two operators $A$ and $B$.

IV) There is a unique algebra isomorphism

$$\tag{5} (\mathbb{C}[[x_a]],+, \star) ~\stackrel{\Phi}{\longrightarrow}~({\cal A}, +, \circ) $$

generated by

$$\tag{6} \Phi(x_a)~:=~X_a.$$

It follows that the algebra isomorphism $\Phi$ maps the (2) into (3).

V) The Heisenberg algebra acts on the algebra $\mathbb{C}[[x]]$, i.e. an operator $A$ acts on a function $\psi$ and produce a new function $A(\psi)$. Concretely, for an element $A\in {\cal A}$ define

$$\tag{7} A(\psi)~:=~\Phi^{-1}(A) \star \psi. $$

Equivalently,

$$\tag{8} \Phi(f) (g)~:=~f \star g. $$

It is not hard to see that the definition (7) is consistent with that $\Phi$ is an algebra isomorphism.

--

$^1$ There is also the standard commutative and associative pointwise multiplication $\cdot$ of function, which plays almost no role here.

I) The associative non-commutative Moyal/Groenewold/star product $f\star g$ is explained on Wikipedia. The corresponding $\star$-commutator is defined as

$$\tag{1} [f\stackrel{\star}{,} g]~:=~f\star g-g\star f.$$

In particular, the Jacobi identity for the $\star$-commutator is a consequence of the associativity of the $\star$-product.

II) On one hand, there is the algebra of functions, say, the algebra $\mathbb{C}[[x]]$ of powerseries in indeterminates $x_a$. We equip it with a unit $1$ and the $\star$-product$^1$ so that

$$\tag{2} [x_a\stackrel{\star}{,}x_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}.$$

III) On the other hand, there is the Heisenberg algebra $({\cal A}, +, \circ)$ generated by

$$\tag{3} [X_a\stackrel{\circ}{,}X_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}{\bf 1}.$$

Here the elements of the Heisenberg algebra are (linear) operators acting on functions; the algebra product $\circ$ is composition; the algebra unit ${\bf 1}$ is the identity operator; and

$$\tag{4} [A \stackrel{\circ}{,}B]~:=~A \circ B - B \circ A$$

is the usual composition commutator of two operators $A$ and $B$.

IV) There is a unique algebra isomorphism

$$\tag{5} (\mathbb{C}[[x_a]],+, \star) ~\stackrel{\Phi}{\longrightarrow}~({\cal A}, +, \circ) $$

generated by

$$\tag{6} \Phi(x_a)~:=~X_a.$$

It follows that the algebra isomorphism $\Phi$ maps the (2) into (3).

V) The Heisenberg algebra acts on the algebra $\mathbb{C}[[x]]$, i.e. an operator $A$ acts on a function $\psi$ and produce a new function $A(\psi)$. Concretely, for an element $A\in {\cal A}$ define

$$\tag{7} A(\psi)~:=~\Phi^{-1}(A) \star \psi. $$

Equivalently,

$$\tag{8} \Phi(f) (g)~:=~f \star g. $$

It is not hard to see that the definition (7) is consistent with that $\Phi$ is an algebra isomorphism.

--

$^1$ There is also the standard commutative and associative pointwise multiplication $\cdot$ of functions, which plays almost no role here.

added explanation.
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Qmechanic
  • 213.1k
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  • 590
  • 2.3k

I) The associative non-commutative Moyal/Groenewold/star product $f\star g$ is explained on Wikipedia. The corresponding $\star$-commutator is defined as

$$\tag{1} [f\stackrel{\star}{,} g]~:=~f\star g-g\star f.$$

In particular, the Jacobi identity for the $\star$-commutator is a consequence of the associativity of the $\star$-product.

II) On one hand there is the algebra of function, say, the algebra $\mathbb{C}[[x_a]]$$\mathbb{C}[[x]]$ of powerseries in indeterminates $x_a$. We equip it with a unit $1$ and the $\star$-product$^1$ so that

$$\tag{2} [x_a\stackrel{\star}{,}x_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}.$$

III) On one hand, there is the Heisenberg algebra $({\cal A}, +, \circ)$ generated by

$$\tag{3} [X_a\stackrel{\circ}{,}X_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}{\bf 1}.$$

Here the elements of the Heisenberg algebra are (linear) operators acting on functions; the algebra product $\circ$ is composition; the algebra unit ${\bf 1}$ is the identity operator; and

$$\tag{4} [A \stackrel{\circ}{,}B]~:=~A \circ B - B \circ A$$

is the usual composition commutator of two operators $A$ and $B$.

iVIV) There is a unique algebra isomorphism

$$\tag{5} (\mathbb{C}[[x_a]],+, \star) ~\stackrel{\Phi}{\longrightarrow}~({\cal A}, +, \circ) $$

generated by

$$\tag{6} \Phi(x_a)~:=~X_a.$$

It follows that the algebra isomorphism $\Phi$ maps the (2) into (3).

V) The Heisenberg algebra acts on the algebra $\mathbb{C}[[x]]$, i.e. an operator $A$ acts on a function $\psi$ and produce a new function $A(\psi)$. Concretely, for an element $A\in {\cal A}$ define

$$\tag{7} A(\psi)~:=~\Phi^{-1}(A) \star \psi. $$

Equivalently,

$$\tag{8} \Phi(f) (g)~:=~f \star g. $$

It is not hard to see that the definition (7) is consistent with that $\Phi$ is an algebra isomorphism.

--

$^1$ There is also the standard commutative and associative pointwise multiplication $\cdot$ of function, which plays almost no role here.

I) The associative non-commutative Moyal/Groenewold/star product $f\star g$ is explained on Wikipedia. The corresponding $\star$-commutator is defined as

$$\tag{1} [f\stackrel{\star}{,} g]~:=~f\star g-g\star f.$$

In particular, the Jacobi identity for the $\star$-commutator is a consequence of the associativity of the $\star$-product.

II) On one hand there is the algebra of function, say, the algebra $\mathbb{C}[[x_a]]$ of powerseries in indeterminates $x_a$. We equip it with a unit $1$ and the $\star$-product$^1$ so that

$$\tag{2} [x_a\stackrel{\star}{,}x_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}.$$

III) On one hand, there is the Heisenberg algebra $({\cal A}, +, \circ)$ generated by

$$\tag{3} [X_a\stackrel{\circ}{,}X_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}{\bf 1}.$$

Here the elements of the Heisenberg algebra are (linear) operators acting on functions; the algebra product $\circ$ is composition; the algebra unit ${\bf 1}$ is the identity operator; and

$$\tag{4} [A \stackrel{\circ}{,}B]~:=~A \circ B - B \circ A$$

is the usual composition commutator of two operators $A$ and $B$.

iV) There is a unique algebra isomorphism

$$\tag{5} (\mathbb{C}[[x_a]],+, \star) ~\stackrel{\Phi}{\longrightarrow}~({\cal A}, +, \circ) $$

generated by

$$\tag{6} \Phi(x_a)~:=~X_a.$$

It follows that the algebra isomorphism $\Phi$ maps the (2) into (3).

--

$^1$ There is also the standard commutative and associative pointwise multiplication $\cdot$ of function, which plays almost no role here.

I) The associative non-commutative Moyal/Groenewold/star product $f\star g$ is explained on Wikipedia. The corresponding $\star$-commutator is defined as

$$\tag{1} [f\stackrel{\star}{,} g]~:=~f\star g-g\star f.$$

In particular, the Jacobi identity for the $\star$-commutator is a consequence of the associativity of the $\star$-product.

II) On one hand there is the algebra of function, say, the algebra $\mathbb{C}[[x]]$ of powerseries in indeterminates $x_a$. We equip it with a unit $1$ and the $\star$-product$^1$ so that

$$\tag{2} [x_a\stackrel{\star}{,}x_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}.$$

III) On one hand, there is the Heisenberg algebra $({\cal A}, +, \circ)$ generated by

$$\tag{3} [X_a\stackrel{\circ}{,}X_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}{\bf 1}.$$

Here the elements of the Heisenberg algebra are (linear) operators acting on functions; the algebra product $\circ$ is composition; the algebra unit ${\bf 1}$ is the identity operator; and

$$\tag{4} [A \stackrel{\circ}{,}B]~:=~A \circ B - B \circ A$$

is the usual composition commutator of two operators $A$ and $B$.

IV) There is a unique algebra isomorphism

$$\tag{5} (\mathbb{C}[[x_a]],+, \star) ~\stackrel{\Phi}{\longrightarrow}~({\cal A}, +, \circ) $$

generated by

$$\tag{6} \Phi(x_a)~:=~X_a.$$

It follows that the algebra isomorphism $\Phi$ maps the (2) into (3).

V) The Heisenberg algebra acts on the algebra $\mathbb{C}[[x]]$, i.e. an operator $A$ acts on a function $\psi$ and produce a new function $A(\psi)$. Concretely, for an element $A\in {\cal A}$ define

$$\tag{7} A(\psi)~:=~\Phi^{-1}(A) \star \psi. $$

Equivalently,

$$\tag{8} \Phi(f) (g)~:=~f \star g. $$

It is not hard to see that the definition (7) is consistent with that $\Phi$ is an algebra isomorphism.

--

$^1$ There is also the standard commutative and associative pointwise multiplication $\cdot$ of function, which plays almost no role here.

added explanation
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Qmechanic
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I) The associative non-commutative Moyal/Groenewold/star ($\star$) product $f\star g$ is explained on Wikipedia. The corresponding $\star$-commutator is defined as

$$\tag{1} [f\stackrel{\star}{,} g]~:=~f\star g-g\star f.$$

In particular, so let us here concentrate on OP's second questionthe (v2)Jacobi identity for the $\star$-commutator is a consequence of the associativity of the $\star$-product.

TheII) On one hand there is the algebra of function equipped with, say, the associative non-commutativealgebra $\star$-product$\mathbb{C}[[x_a]]$ of powerseries in indeterminates (and$x_a$. We equip it with a unit $1$ and the corresponding $\star$-commutator)product$^1$ so that

$$[x_a,x_b]_{\star}~=~i\theta_{ab}$$$$\tag{2} [x_a\stackrel{\star}{,}x_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}.$$

reproducesIII) On one hand, there is the Heisenberg algebra $({\cal A}, +, \circ)$ generated by

$$[X_a,X_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}{\bf 1}.$$$$\tag{3} [X_a\stackrel{\circ}{,}X_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}{\bf 1}.$$

In particular,Here the Jacobielements of the Heisenberg algebra are (linear) operators acting on functions; the algebra product $\circ$ is composition; the algebra unit ${\bf 1}$ is the identity foroperator; and

$$\tag{4} [A \stackrel{\circ}{,}B]~:=~A \circ B - B \circ A$$

is the usual composition commutator of two operators $\star$-commutator$A$ and $B$.

iV) There is a consequence ofunique algebra isomorphism

$$\tag{5} (\mathbb{C}[[x_a]],+, \star) ~\stackrel{\Phi}{\longrightarrow}~({\cal A}, +, \circ) $$

generated by

$$\tag{6} \Phi(x_a)~:=~X_a.$$

It follows that the associativity ofalgebra isomorphism $\Phi$ maps the $\star$(2) into (3).

-product-

$^1$ There is also the standard commutative and associative pointwise multiplication $\cdot$ of function, which plays almost no role here.

The Moyal/Groenewold/star ($\star$) product is explained on Wikipedia, so let us here concentrate on OP's second question (v2).

The algebra of function equipped with the associative non-commutative $\star$-product (and the corresponding $\star$-commutator)

$$[x_a,x_b]_{\star}~=~i\theta_{ab}$$

reproduces the Heisenberg algebra

$$[X_a,X_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}{\bf 1}.$$

In particular, the Jacobi identity for the $\star$-commutator is a consequence of the associativity of the $\star$-product.

I) The associative non-commutative Moyal/Groenewold/star product $f\star g$ is explained on Wikipedia. The corresponding $\star$-commutator is defined as

$$\tag{1} [f\stackrel{\star}{,} g]~:=~f\star g-g\star f.$$

In particular, the Jacobi identity for the $\star$-commutator is a consequence of the associativity of the $\star$-product.

II) On one hand there is the algebra of function, say, the algebra $\mathbb{C}[[x_a]]$ of powerseries in indeterminates $x_a$. We equip it with a unit $1$ and the $\star$-product$^1$ so that

$$\tag{2} [x_a\stackrel{\star}{,}x_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}.$$

III) On one hand, there is the Heisenberg algebra $({\cal A}, +, \circ)$ generated by

$$\tag{3} [X_a\stackrel{\circ}{,}X_b]~=~i\theta_{ab}{\bf 1}.$$

Here the elements of the Heisenberg algebra are (linear) operators acting on functions; the algebra product $\circ$ is composition; the algebra unit ${\bf 1}$ is the identity operator; and

$$\tag{4} [A \stackrel{\circ}{,}B]~:=~A \circ B - B \circ A$$

is the usual composition commutator of two operators $A$ and $B$.

iV) There is a unique algebra isomorphism

$$\tag{5} (\mathbb{C}[[x_a]],+, \star) ~\stackrel{\Phi}{\longrightarrow}~({\cal A}, +, \circ) $$

generated by

$$\tag{6} \Phi(x_a)~:=~X_a.$$

It follows that the algebra isomorphism $\Phi$ maps the (2) into (3).

--

$^1$ There is also the standard commutative and associative pointwise multiplication $\cdot$ of function, which plays almost no role here.

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