English

The classical limit of quantum theory

Quantum Physics 2007-05-23 v1 Condensed Matter High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

For a quantum observable AA_\hbar depending on a parameter \hbar we define the notion ``AA_\hbar converges in the classical limit''. The limit is a function on phase space. Convergence is in norm in the sense that A0A_\hbar\to0 is equivalent with A0\Vert A_\hbar\Vert\to0. The \hbar-wise product of convergent observables converges to the product of the limiting phase space functions. 1\hbar^{-1} times the commutator of suitable observables converges to the Poisson bracket of the limits. For a large class of convergent Hamiltonians the \hbar-wise action of the corresponding dynamics converges to the classical Hamiltonian dynamics. The connections with earlier approaches, based on the WKB method, or on Wigner distribution functions, or on the limits of coherent states are reviewed.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.quant-ph/9504016,
  title  = {The classical limit of quantum theory},
  author = {R. F. Werner},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:quant-ph/9504016},
  year   = {2007}
}

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plain TeX, 33 pages, no figures