Unification of energy concepts in generalized phase space theories

Libo Jiang, Daniel R. Terno, Oscar Dahlsten

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We consider how to describe Hamiltonian mechanics in generalized probabilistic theories with the states represented as quasiprobability distributions. We give general operational definitions of energy-related concepts. We define generalized energy eigenstates as the purest stationary states. Planck's constant plays two different roles in the framework: the phase space volume taken up by a pure state and a dynamical factor. The Hamiltonian is a linear combination of generalized energy eigenstates. This allows for a generalized Liouville time-evolution equation that applies to quantum and classical Hamiltonian mechanics and more. The approach enables a unification of quantum and classical energy concepts and a route to discussing energy in a wider set of theories.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number120201
    Pages (from-to)120201-1-120201-6
    Number of pages6
    JournalPhysical Review Letters
    Volume132
    Issue number12
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 22 Mar 2024

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