Newton-equivalent Hamiltonians describing a plane rotator and their quantization

Abstract

In the context of classical mechanics, Newton-equivalent Hamiltonians are those that yield the same Newtonian equations of motion (‘acceleration equal force’). Various such Hamiltonians are discussed, all of them characterizing a rotator in the plane. Some of them are well known, while others are perhaps new. Their quantization is also discussed. Other Hamiltonians yielding analogous motions, and related open problems, are mentioned.