Zero Hamiltonian and its energies

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications and interpretations of a Hamiltonian set to zero, specifically examining the conditions under which this might occur and the resulting energies of a system. Participants explore theoretical frameworks, constraints, and examples from classical and quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that a Hamiltonian of the form H=0 leads to nonsensical energy values, suggesting that positive energies and a ground state are necessary.
  • Others propose that H=0 can arise in specific physical systems, such as a free relativistic particle, where it acts as a constraint that can be quantized in different ways.
  • A participant questions the validity of H=0, asserting that it cannot be achieved without errors in the formulation.
  • Another participant discusses the implications of time reparametrization invariance, suggesting that Lagrangians invariant under such transformations can yield a zero Hamiltonian.
  • Some contributions highlight the need to fix gauge degrees of freedom when dealing with zero Hamiltonians, particularly in the context of gauge theories like electromagnetism.
  • Participants express uncertainty about the relationship between potential energy and the Hamiltonian, particularly for a particle at rest in empty space.
  • There are conflicting views on whether the Hamiltonian should be considered zero based on the conditions of the system, with some asserting that it is a relationship rather than a direct measure of energy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the validity or implications of a zero Hamiltonian. Multiple competing views remain, particularly regarding the conditions under which H=0 is applicable and its physical significance.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions involve unresolved assumptions about the nature of Hamiltonians and constraints, as well as the mathematical steps required to derive energies from a zero Hamiltonian. The implications of gauge fixing and reparametrization invariance are also noted as areas needing further clarification.

  • #31
By the way if we have \bold H =0 can this H be split into the terms.

H^{(0)} (g_{00} , \pi _{00} )+H^{(3)}(g_ {ij} , \pi _ {ij} )=0


so we quantizy the term... H^{(3)}(g_ {ij} , \pi _ {ij})\Phi = E_{n} \Phi


and from this we get the energies..:-p :-p
 
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  • #32
Karlisbad said:
By the way if we have \bold H =0 can this H be split into the terms.

H^{(0)} (g_{00} , \pi _{00} )+H^{(3)}(g_ {ij} , \pi _ {ij} )=0


so we quantizy the term... H^{(3)}(g_ {ij} , \pi _ {ij})\Phi = E_{n} \Phi


and from this we get the energies..:-p :-p
First of all in GR, you have four constraints, second the constraints themselves do only contain the g_{ij}, \pi_{ij} :biggrin:. Moreover, these energies as you call them have no physical meaning whatsoever. :-p
 
  • #33
By the way appart from constraint (i finally learned how to apply Dirac's method to them using Wikipedia :-p) Does the Einstein Lagrangian has an acceleration term?..i have some troubles to quantize Lagrangians with an acceleration term so:

L= A(v)^{2}+BV(x)+C(\dot V)^{2}
 
  • #34
Karlisbad said:
By the way appart from constraint (i finally learned how to apply Dirac's method to them using Wikipedia :-p)

Perhaps you should consult a better reference :-p

Karlisbad said:
Does the Einstein Lagrangian has an acceleration term?..

Yes, the Ricci scalar contains second derivatives with respect to time.
 
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  • #35
Usually, second order derivative terms in the HE action can be removed by a part integration. See Dirac (1975) for details.

Daniel.
 
  • #36
dextercioby said:
Usually, second order derivative terms in the HE action can be removed by a part integration. See Dirac (1975) for details.

Daniel.
I guess you need to demand in such cases that spacetime is asymptotically static; in either that \partial_t g_{\mu \nu} = 0 in the infinite past and infinite future (in some a priori chosen coordinate time t).
 
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  • #37
Of course, in fact Dirac didn't mention this assumption. He just used it to get a better looking Lagrangian and a faster way to derive the field eqns. Actually, a boundary term occurs which can be set to 0, iff your assumption is validated.

Daniel.
 
  • #38
dextercioby said:
Of course, in fact Dirac didn't mention this assumption. He just used it to get a better looking Lagrangian and a faster way to derive the field eqns. Actually, a boundary term occurs which can be set to 0, iff your assumption is validated.

Daniel.

But that would kill off asymtotically de Sitter universes. I guess you do not want that.
 
  • #39
And to get the Semi-classical Energies..could we make or use Bohr-Sommerfeld formula?..i mean:

\oint_{S}d^{4}x \pi _{ab}=\hbar (n+1/2)

where S is an hyper-surface, and the "pi's" are the conjugate momenta to the metric g_ab, could we from this expression get the energies? :confused: :confused:
 
  • #40
Careful said:
But that would kill off asymtotically de Sitter universes.


Which is weird because such solutions are solutions (excuse the tautology) of the field equations one derives by making such an assumption. :rolleyes: :biggrin:

Daniel.
 
  • #41
dextercioby said:
Which is weird because such solutions are solutions (excuse the tautology) of the field equations one derives by making such an assumption. :rolleyes: :biggrin:

Daniel.

I was merely worried about the fact that de Sitter allows for no global timelike Killing field and that therefore any such construction involves a cosmological horizon associated to one worldline I guess :-p (since the metric gets degenerate in such coordinate systems). Therefore, it seems you cannot apply this trick to get out full de Sitter, that is all I meant (working in special coordinate systems can be pretty dangerous, at least that is how I understood your comment about Dirac's trick).
 

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