Symplectic quantum mechanics

Abstract

Using the notion of symplectic structure and Weyl (or star) product of non-commutative geometry, we construct unitary representations for the Galilei group and show how to rewrite the Schrödinger equation in phase space. This approach gives rise to a new procedure to derive Wigner functions without the use of the Liouville–von Neumann equation. Applications are presented by deriving the states of linear and nonlinear oscillators in terms of amplitudes of probability in phase space. The notion of coherent states is also discussed in this context.