Geometry and symmetry of quantum and classical-quantum variational principles

Abstract

This paper presents the geometric setting of quantum variational principles and extends it to comprise the interaction between classical and quantum degrees of freedom. Euler-Poincaré reduction theory is applied to the Schrödinger, Heisenberg, and Wigner-Moyal dynamics of pure states. This construction leads to new variational principles for the description of mixed quantum states. The corresponding momentum map properties are presented as they arise from the underlying unitary symmetries. Finally, certain semidirect-product group structures are shown to produce new variational principles for Dirac’s interaction picture and the equations of hybrid classical-quantum dynamics.