The classical limit of Schrödinger operators in the framework of Berezin quantization and spontaneous symmetry breaking as an emergent phenomenon

Abstract

The algebraic properties of a strict deformation quantization are analyzed on the classical phase space [Formula: see text]. The corresponding quantization maps enable us to take the limit for [Formula: see text] of a suitable sequence of algebraic vector states induced by [Formula: see text]-dependent eigenvectors of several quantum models, in which the sequence converges to a probability measure on [Formula: see text], defining a classical algebraic state. The observables are here represented in terms of a Berezin quantization map which associates classical observables (functions on the phase space) to quantum observables (elements of [Formula: see text] algebras) parametrized by [Formula: see text]. The existence of this classical limit is in particular proved for ground states of a wide class of Schrödinger operators, where the classical limiting state is obtained in terms of a Haar integral. The support of the classical state (a probability measure on the phase space) is included in certain orbits in [Formula: see text] depending on the symmetry of the potential. In addition, since this [Formula: see text]-algebraic approach allows for both quantum and classical theories, it is highly suitable to study the theoretical concept of spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) as an emergent phenomenon when passing from the quantum realm to the classical world by switching off [Formula: see text]. To this end, a detailed mathematical description is outlined and it is shown how this algebraic approach sheds new light on spontaneous symmetry breaking in several physical models.