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The formulation of quantum mechanics in terms of phase space functions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2008

D. B. Fairlie
Affiliation:
St Salvator's College, St Andrews

Abstract

A relationship between the Hamiltonian of a system and its distribution function in phase space is sought which will guarantee that the average energy is the weighted mean of the Hamiltonian over phase space. This relationship is shown to imply the existence of a wave function satisfying the Schrödinger equation, and dictates the possible forms of time-dependence of the distribution function.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge Philosophical Society 1964

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References

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