English

The Wigner distribution function for the $\mathfrak{su}(2)$ finite oscillator and Dyck paths

Quantum Physics 2016-12-23 v1 Mathematical Physics math.MP

Abstract

Recently, a new definition for a Wigner distribution function for a one-dimensional finite quantum system, in which the position and momentum operators have a finite (multiplicity-free) spectrum, was developed. This distribution function is defined on discrete phase-space (a finite square grid), and can thus be referred to as the Wigner matrix. In the current paper, we compute this Wigner matrix (or rather, the pre-Wigner matrix, which is related to the Wigner matrix by a simple matrix multiplication) for the case of the su(2)\mathfrak{su}(2) finite oscillator. The first expression for the matrix elements involves sums over squares of Krawtchouk polynomials, and follows from standard techniques. We also manage to present a second solution, where the matrix elements are evaluations of Dyck polynomials. These Dyck polynomials are defined in terms of the well known Dyck paths. This combinatorial expression of the pre-Wigner matrix elements turns out to be particularly simple.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1612.07686,
  title  = {The Wigner distribution function for the $\mathfrak{su}(2)$ finite oscillator and Dyck paths},
  author = {Roy Oste and Joris Van der Jeugt},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1612.07686},
  year   = {2016}
}

Comments

This is a preprint of a paper whose final and definite form is in Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical

R2 v1 2026-06-22T17:32:35.642Z