Necessity of integral formalism

DOI10.1088/0253-6102/56/4/09zbMATH Open1247.81161arXiv1010.0965OpenAlexW1526569827MaRDI QIDQ2913404FDOQ2913404

Yong Tao

Publication date: 26 September 2012

Published in: Communications in Theoretical Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: To describe the physical reality, there are two ways of constructing the dynamical equation of field, differential formalism and integral formalism. The importance of this fact is firstly emphasized by Yang in case of gauge field [Phys. Rev. Lett. 33 (1974) 445], where the fact has given rise to a deeper understanding for Aharonov-Bohm phase and magnetic monopole [Phys. Rev. D. 12 (1975) 3845]. In this paper we shall point out that such a fact also holds in general wave function of matter, it may give rise to a deeper understanding for Berry phase. Most importantly, we shall prove a point that, for general wave function of matter, in the adiabatic limit, there is an intrinsic difference between its integral formalism and differential formalism. It is neglect of this difference that leads to an inconsistency of quantum adiabatic theorem pointed out by Marzlin and Sanders [Phys. Rev. Lett. 93 (2004) 160408]. It has been widely accepted that there is no physical difference of using differential operator or integral operator to construct the dynamical equation of field. Nevertheless, our study shows that the Schrodinger differential equation (i.e., differential formalism for wave function) shall lead to vanishing Berry phase and that the Schrodinger integral equation (i.e., integral formalism for wave function), in the adiabatic limit, can satisfactorily give the Berry phase. Therefore, we reach a conclusion: There are two ways of describing physical reality, differential formalism and integral formalism; but the integral formalism is a unique way of complete description.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1010.0965

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zbMATH Keywords

gauge fieldBerry phasequantum adiabatic theoremintegral formalismdifferential formalism

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Yang-Mills and other gauge theories in mechanics of particles and systems (70S15) General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05) Closed and approximate solutions to the Schrödinger, Dirac, Klein-Gordon and other equations of quantum mechanics (81Q05) Yang-Mills and other gauge theories in quantum field theory (81T13) Adiabatic invariants for problems in Hamiltonian and Lagrangian mechanics (70H11) Differential geometric methods, including holonomy, Berry and Hannay phases, Aharonov-Bohm effect, etc. in quantum theory (81Q70)

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