English

A path integral for classical dynamics, entanglement, and Jaynes-Cummings model at the quantum-classical divide

Quantum Physics 2011-04-11 v1

Abstract

The Liouville equation differs from the von Neumann equation 'only' by a characteristic superoperator. We demonstrate this for Hamiltonian dynamics, in general, and for the Jaynes-Cummings model, in particular. -- Employing superspace (instead of Hilbert space), we describe time evolution of density matrices in terms of path integrals which are formally identical for quantum and classical mechanics. They only differ by the interaction contributing to the action. This allows to import tools developed for Feynman path integrals, in order to deal with superoperators instead of quantum mechanical commutators in real time evolution. Perturbation theory is derived. Besides applications in classical statistical physics, the "classical path integral" and the parallel study of classical and quantum evolution indicate new aspects of (dynamically assisted) entanglement (generation). Our findings suggest to distinguish 'intra'- from 'inter-space' entanglement.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1006.1569,
  title  = {A path integral for classical dynamics, entanglement, and Jaynes-Cummings model at the quantum-classical divide},
  author = {Hans-Thomas Elze and Giovanni Gambarotta and Fabio Vallone},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1006.1569},
  year   = {2011}
}

Comments

22 pages; based on invited talk at Quantum 2010 - Advances in Foundations of Quantum mechanics and Quantum Information with Atoms and Photons (Torino, May 2010). To appear in Int. J. Qu. Info

R2 v1 2026-06-21T15:33:27.293Z