Coherent state quantization of constraint systems

Apr, 1996
35 pages
Published in:
  • Annals Phys. 254 (1997) 419-453
  • Published: Mar 1, 1997
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Abstract:
A careful reexamination of the quantization of systems with first- and second-class constraints from the point of view of coherent-state phase-space path integration reveals several significant distinctions from more conventional treatments. Most significantly, we emphasize the importance of using path-integral measures for Lagrange multipliers which ensure that the quantum system satisfies the quantum constraint conditions. Our procedures involve no delta-functionals of the classical constraints, no need for gauge fixing of first-class constraints, no need to eliminate second-class constraints, no potentially ambiguous determinants, and have the virtue of resolving differences between canonical and path-integral approaches. Several examples are considered in detail.
Note:
  • Latex, 38 pages, no figures
  • quantization: constraint
  • Hamiltonian formalism
  • path integral
  • coherent state
  • phase space: Hilbert space