Wigner phase-space distribution as a wave function
Denys I. Bondar, Renán Cabrera, Dmitry V. Zhdanov, HERSCHEL A. RABITZ
Abstract
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Denys I. Bondar, Renán Cabrera, Dmitry V. Zhdanov, HERSCHEL A. RABITZ
Abstract
Open-access reader
We demonstrate that the Wigner function of a pure quantum state is a wave function in a specially tuned Dirac bra-ket formalism and argue that the Wigner function is in fact a probability amplitude for the quantum particle to be at a certain point of the classical phase space. Additionally, we establish that in the classical limit, the Wigner function transforms into a classical Koopman--von Neumann wave function rather than into a classical probability distribution. Since probability amplitude need not be positive, our findings provide an alternative outlook on the Wigner function's negativity.
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We demonstrate that the Wigner function of a pure quantum state is a wave function in a specially tuned Dirac bra-ket formalism and argue that the Wigner function is in fact a probability amplitude for the quantum particle to be at a certain point of the classical phase space. Additionally, we establish that in the classical limit, the Wigner function transforms into a classical Koopman--von Neumann wave function rather than into a classical probability distribution. Since probability amplitude need not be positive, our findings provide an alternative outlook on the Wigner function's negativity.
Key concepts: Wigner distribution function, Probability amplitude, Wave function, Phase space, Classical limit, Method of quantum characteristics, Amplitude, Quantum mechanics