Lagrangian visualisation and Uncertainty Principle

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between the Lagrangian formulation of quantum mechanics and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle (HUP). It establishes that the Fourier transformation of wave functions in phase space leads to momentum space representations, reinforcing the HUP when Gaussian wave functions are involved. The Lagrangian and Action principles are highlighted as essential tools in quantum mechanics, particularly in Richard Feynman's "QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter." The conversation also references Wharton's insights on the compatibility of Lagrangian constraints with classical data limitations imposed by the HUP.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Quantum Theory (QT) and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle (HUP)
  • Familiarity with Fourier Transformations in wave mechanics
  • Knowledge of Lagrangian and Action principles in physics
  • Basic grasp of canonical commutation relations in quantum mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the implications of Fourier analysis in quantum mechanics
  • Study the derivation of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle using commutators
  • Investigate the visualization techniques for Lagrangian mechanics
  • Read Richard Feynman's "QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter" for practical applications of Lagrangian in quantum electrodynamics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, quantum mechanics students, and researchers interested in the interplay between Lagrangian mechanics and quantum theory, particularly those focusing on visualization techniques and the foundations of quantum mechanics.

exponent137
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Probably, the essence of quantum theory (QT) is principle of uncertainty (HUP).

The essence of QT is also the fact that Fourier transformation of wave function in phase(?) space gives wave function in momentum space. If one wave function is Gaussian (and so both ones) this gives HUP.

Very useful function in quantum mechanics are also Lagrangian and Action principle. Feynman used them in visualization of QED in his book "QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter".

But Lagrangian cannot be so easily visualized as Hamiltonian, for instance.

Wharton also find Lagrangian useful in QT:

Indeed, for classical particles and fields, there's a perfect match between the initial data one
uses to constrain the Lagrangian and the amount of classical data one is permitted under the HUP. In Fermat's principle, if you know the initial light ray position, the HUP says you can't know the initial angle.

http://fqxi.org/data/essay-contest-files/Wharton_FQX4.pdf

Above Fourier analysis is used in derivation of HUP. Another aspect in derivation of HUP is use of commutator [x,p_x]. Can Lagrangian be another aspect?
 
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Now I succeded to find something:
[tex]\frac{\partial}{\partial t} \pi_i = \frac{\partial {\mathcal L}}{\partial x_i}.[/tex]
The canonical commutation relations then amount to
[tex][x_i,\pi_j] = i\hbar\delta_{ij}, \,[/tex]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonical_commutation_relation

If [tex]\pi_i=p_i[/tex] this is the most simple version, what I searched. But I please for visualization and explanation of this?
 

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