Power-duality in path integral formulation of quantum mechanics

Abstract

Power duality in Feynman's path integral formulation of quantum mechanics is investigated. The power duality transformation consists of a change in coordinate and time variables, an exchange of energy and coupling, and a classical angular momentum replacement. Two physical systems connected by the transformation form a power-dual pair. The propagator (Feynman's kernel) expressed by Feynman's path integral cannot be form-invariant under the transformation, whereas the promotor constructed by modifying Feynman's path integral is found form-invariant insofar as the angular momentum is classical. Upon angular quantization, the power duality breaks down. To save the notion of power duality, the idea of quasi power duality is proposed, which constitutes of an ad hoc angular momentum replacement. The power-dual invariant promotor leads to the quasi-dual invariant Green function. A formula is proposed, which determines the Green function for one of a dual pair by knowing the Green function for the other. As examples, the Coulomb-Hooke dual pair and a family of two-term confinement potentials for a zero-energy state are discussed.