Deriving the Lagrangian from the Hamiltonian operator

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the derivation of the Lagrangian operator as the Legendre transform of the Hamiltonian operator in quantum mechanics, emphasizing the preservation of this relationship in quantum field theory. A key resource mentioned is the article available at arxiv.org, which addresses foundational questions but is noted to be incomplete regarding the supernum/infinium aspect of the Legendre transform. An alternative resource provided is a PDF from Carnegie Mellon University, which offers a more comprehensive exploration of the topic. The discussion also touches on the minimization of action in the context of convex functions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of classical mechanics principles, particularly Hamiltonian and Lagrangian formulations.
  • Familiarity with Legendre transforms in both classical and quantum mechanics.
  • Knowledge of quantum field theory and its mathematical foundations.
  • Basic grasp of convex functions and their properties in optimization.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Lagrangian from the Hamiltonian using Legendre transforms in quantum mechanics.
  • Explore the implications of supernum and infimum in the context of Lagrangian density and Hamiltonian density.
  • Investigate the role of convex functions in the minimization of action in classical and quantum mechanics.
  • Review advanced resources on quantum field theory, focusing on the relationship between Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, particularly those specializing in classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and quantum field theory, as well as students and researchers looking to deepen their understanding of the mathematical relationships between Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations.

redtree
Messages
335
Reaction score
15
In classical mechanics, the Hamiltonian and the Lagrangian are Legendre transforms of each other. By analogy, in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, the relationship between the Hamiltonian and the Lagrangian seems to be preserved. Where can I find a derivation of the Lagrangian operator as the Legendre transform of the Hamiltonian operator in quantum mechanics? Or a similar derivation for the Lagrangian density and Hamiltonian density in quantum field theory via the Legendre transform?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Figured it out. No need to respond.
 
This article and the references cited in can address some of your questions :
https://arxiv.org/abs/0806.1147

Did you find some other interesting resources ? Please share.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: BvU
Thanks for the reply. I was already familiar with that article. Good resource, but incomplete; fails to mention the supernum/infinium aspect of the Legendre transform. Better: https://www.andrew.cmu.edu/course/33-765/pdf/Legendre.pdf

I figured out the question on my own.

One interesting note:

Given:

## \mathcal{L}(\vec{v},\vec{q},t)=\sup \left[ \langle \vec{p},\vec{v} \rangle - \textbf{H}(\vec{p},\vec{q},t)\right]##
##=\sup \left[ \vec{p}\cdot \vec{v} -\left( \frac{\vec{p}^2}{2 m}+ V\right)\right]##
##=\sup \left[ m\vec{v}\cdot\vec{v} -\left( \frac{m^2\vec{v}^2}{2 m}+ V\right)\right]##
## =\sup \left[ m\vec{v}^2 -\left( \frac{m\vec{v}^2}{2}+ V\right)\right]##
## =\sup \left[ \frac{m\vec{v}^2}{2}- V\right]##
And:
## \mathcal{S}=\int_{t_1}^{t_n} \mathcal{L}(\vec{v},\vec{q},t)dt##

Question: Why is the action ##\mathcal{S}## minimized (and not maximized), given that ##\textbf{H}(\vec{p},\vec{q},t)## is a convex function and therefore ##\mathcal{L}(\vec{v},\vec{q},t)## is a supernum (not an infimum)?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Useful nucleus

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
678
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K