6
$\begingroup$

I'm currently exploring how Noether's theorem is formulated in the Hamiltonian formalism. I've found that canonical transformations which conserve volumes in phase space, these isometric deformations in phase space, correspond to Hamiltonian vector fields. I believe that a quantity constant along the flow of the vector fields correspond to conserved quantities? I am unsure.

What I'm the most curious about is how to go about a quantum version and a field theoretic version of Hamiltonian flow/hamiltonian formulation of Noether's theorem?

$\endgroup$
7
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ I mean, this looks like a theme for a research paper $\endgroup$ Commented May 17 at 15:52
  • 1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ I mean this is definitely not an easy question. I find it that one of the most intriguing aspects of quantum mechanics is that (to my knowledge) it is the only physical theory not formulated in terms of differential geometry. I could be mistaken, but I think there is a chance no one tried to work out your question before $\endgroup$ Commented May 17 at 17:16
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ I would agree with @Níckolas Alves . The symplectic geometry of the Poisson Brackets is hellishly different than the phase-space geometry (metaplectic??) of the Moyal Brackets, the quantum deformation of the above. There might be lucid works on the subject, but I have never stumbled on one such... $\endgroup$ Commented May 17 at 18:43
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Good luck with this ref... $\endgroup$ Commented May 17 at 18:51

1 Answer 1

4
$\begingroup$

I am not sure to understand your issue.

The condition of dynamical conservation of $f=f(q,p)$, as you correctly wrote, is $X_H(f)=0$, where $H=H(q,p)$ is the Hamiltonian function of the system. On the other hand, just in view of the definition of Hamiltonian field, $$X_H(f) = \{H,f\} =-\{f,H\}= -X_f(H).$$ That means that:

$f$ is conserved if and only if $H$ itself is invariant under the group of (canonical) transformations induced by $f$.

Finally, taking advantage of the Lie bracket of vector fields since $$[X_f,X_g]= X_{\{f,g\}},$$ $X_H(f)=0$ is equivalent to $$[X_H, X_f]=0.$$ This latter says that:

every motion of the system (an integral line of $X_H$) is transformed to a motion under the action of the transformation group generated by $f$ (and this is equivalent to the dynamical conservation of $f$).

This is a perfect beautiful picture which illustrates how the Hamiltonian version of Noether’s theorem is much more advanced and comprehensive than the Lagrangian one.

The quantum version is not very different from this. Just replace one parameter groups of canonical transformations for strongly continuous one parameter groups of unitary transformations. I stress that I am not referring here to some “quantization procedure” used to quantize a classical Hamiltonian system such that it preserves the structures and the relations written above. That is a very difficult (and hopeless) issue. I am just saying that, the Noether theorem in quantum theory has the same structure as in classical Hamiltonian physics.

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ If I can replace the group actions with actions that correspond to Hamiltonian symplectomorphisms (the canonical transformations) with unitary transformations, what happens to the "vector flow" we had in the classical picture? Does it completely go away because quantum phase space is a pain to try and reconcile nicely? $\endgroup$
    – DingleGlop
    Commented May 19 at 16:30
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ The problem it is not directly related to symmetries and dynamics. It is just that there is no map from classical Hamiltonian observables to quantum ones which respects all natural requirements (Groenewold's theorem). $\endgroup$ Commented May 19 at 16:50

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.