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Wiener Measure Regularization for Quantum Mechanical Path Integrals

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Recent Developments in Mathematical Physics

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Abstract

The problems associated with a regularization of quantum mechanical path integrals using continuous-time (as opposed to discrete-time) schemes are examined. All such proposals insert regularizing Wiener measures and consider the limit as the diffusion constant diverges as the final step. Two unsuccessful approaches in the Schrödinger representation are reviewed before a fairly complete treatment of the successful coherent-state representation approach is presented. Not only does the coherent-state approach provide a rigorous continuous-time regularization scheme for quantum mechanical path integrals but it also offers a natural and physically appealing formulation that is covariant under classical canonical transformations.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ, 07974, USA

    J. R. Klauder

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  1. J. R. Klauder
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Karl-Franzens-Universität, A-8010, Graz, Austria

    Heinrich Mitter  & Ludwig Pittner  & 

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© 1987 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Klauder, J.R. (1987). Wiener Measure Regularization for Quantum Mechanical Path Integrals. In: Mitter, H., Pittner, L. (eds) Recent Developments in Mathematical Physics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73104-4_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73104-4_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-73106-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-73104-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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