The most common physical formalisms are the Lagrangian formalism and the Hamiltonian formalism. From the superficial point of view, they are one and the same, but rewritten in other terms. However, it seems that the Hamiltonian formalism has a richer structure and is more convenient for studying the electromagnetic field, especially in the formalization of its geometrization. Unfortunately for field problems, there is a whole set of Hamiltonian formalisms. The authors study the applicability of different variants of the Hamiltonian formalism to the problems of electrodynamics. In this paper we consider the Hamiltonian formalism with constraints.
We present a new theorem concerning a sufficient condition for a symmetric operator acting in a complex Hilbert space to be essentially self-adjoint. By applying the theorem, we prove that the Dirac Maxwell Hamiltonian, which describes a quantum system of a Dirac particle and a radiation field minimally interacting with each other, is essentially self-adjoint. Our theorem covers the case where the Dirac particle is in the Coulomb type potential.
The Hamiltonian structure of the gauge-free gyrokinetic Vlasov-Maxwell equations is presented in terms of a Hamiltonian functional and a gyrokinetic Vlasov-Maxwell bracket. The bracket is used to show that the gyrokinetic angular-momentum conservation law can also be expressed in Hamiltonian form. The Jacobi property of the gyrokinetic Vlasov-Maxwell bracket is also demonstrated explicitly.
We study the Dirac-Maxwell model quantized in the Lorenz gauge. In this gauge, the space of quantum mechanical state vectors inevitably be an indefinite metric vector space so that the canonical commutation relation (CCR) is realized in a Lorentz covariant manner. In order to obtain a physical subspace in which no negative norm state exists, the method first proposed by Gupta and Bleuler is applied with mathematical rigor. It is proved that a suitably defined physical subspace has a positive semi-definit metric, and naturally induces a physical Hilbert space with a positive definite metric. Th…
We develop a complete Dirac's canonical analysis for an alternative action that yields Maxwell's four-dimensional equations of motion. We study in detail the full symmetries of the action by following all steps of Dirac's method in order to obtain a detailed description of symmetries. Our results indicate that such an action does not have the same symmetries than Maxwell theory, namely, the model is not a gauge theory and the number of physical degrees of freedom are different.
A Hamiltonian field theory for the macroscopic Maxwell equations with fully general polarization and magnetization is stated in the language of differential forms. The precise procedure for translating the vector calculus formulation into differential forms is discussed in detail. We choose to distinguish between straight and twisted differential forms so that all integrals be taken over densities (i.e. twisted top forms). This ensures that the duality pairings, which are stated as integrals over densities, are orientation independent. The relationship between functional differentiation with r…
It is shown that Maxwell's equations in media without source can be written as a contact Hamiltonian vector field restricted to a Legendre submanifold, where this submanifold is in a fiber space of a bundle and is generated by either electromagnetic energy functional or co-energy functional. Then, it turns out that Legendre duality for this system gives the induction oriented formulation of Maxwell's equations and field intensity oriented one. Also, information geometry of the Maxwell fields is introduced and discussed.
The Vlasov-Maxwell equations possess a Hamiltonian structure expressed in terms of a Hamiltonian functional and a functional bracket. In the present paper, the transformation ("lift") of the Vlasov-Maxwell bracket induced by the dynamical reduction of single-particle dynamics is investigated when the reduction is carried out by Lie-transform perturbation methods. The ultimate goal of this work is to derive explicit Hamiltonian formulations for the guiding-center and gyrokinetic Vlasov-Maxwell equations that have important applications in our understanding of turbulent magnetized plasmas. Here,…
We consider the spinless Pauli-Fierz Hamiltonian which describes a quantum system of non-relativistic identical particles coupled to the quantized electromagnetic field. We study the time evolution in a mean-field limit where the number $N$ of charged particles gets large while the coupling to the radiation field is rescaled by $1/\sqrt{N}$. At time zero we assume that almost all charged particles are in the same one-body state (a Bose-Einstein condensate) and we assume also the photons to be close to a coherent state. We show that at later times and in the limit $N \rightarrow \infty$ the cha…
We show that nonrelativsitic scaling of the collisionless Vlasov-Maxwell system implies the existence of a formal invariant slow manifold in the infinite-dimensional Vlasov-Maxwell phase space. Vlasov-Maxwell dynamics restricted to the slow manifold recovers the Vlasov-Poisson and Vlasov-Darwin models as low-order approximations, and provides higher-order corrections to the Vlasov-Darwin model more generally. The slow manifold may be interpreted to all orders in perturbation theory as a collection of formal Vlasov-Maxwell solutions that do not excite light waves, and are therefore "dark". We p…
The aim of this paper is to create a large geometrical background on the dual 1-jet space J^{1*}(T,M) for a multi-time Hamiltonian approach of the electromagnetic and gravitational physical fields. Our geometric-physical construction is achieved starting only from a given quadratic Hamiltonian function of polymomenta H, which naturally produces a canonical nonlinear connection N, a canonical Cartan N-linear connection CΓ(N) and their corresponding local distinguished (d-) torsions and curvatures. In such a context, we construct some geometrical electromagnetic-like and gravitational-like field…
We slightly extend prior results about the derivation of the Maxwell-Schrödinger equations from the bosonic Pauli-Fierz Hamiltonian. More concretely, we show that the findings from [SIAM J. Math. Anal. 52(5), 4900-4936 (2020)] about the coherence of the quantized electromagnetic field also hold for soft photons with small energies. This is achieved with the help of an estimate from [arXiv:2202.05015] which proves that the domain of the number of photon operator is invariant during the time evolution generated by the Pauli-Fierz Hamiltonian.
The Hamiltonian formalism is extremely elegant and convenient to mechanics problems. However, its application to the classical field theories is a difficult task. In fact, you can set one to one correspondence between the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian in the case of hyperregular Lagrangian. It is impossible to do the same in gauge-invariant field theories. In the case of irregular Lagrangian the Dirac Hamiltonian formalism with constraints is usually used, and this leads to a number of certain difficulties. The paper proposes a reformulation of the problem to the case of a field without sources. …
We present a new variational principle for the gyrokinetic system, similar to the Maxwell-Vlasov action presented in Ref. 1. The variational principle is in the Eulerian frame and based on constrained variations of the phase space fluid velocity and particle distribution function. Using a Legendre transform, we explicitly derive the field theoretic Hamiltonian structure of the system. This is carried out with a modified Dirac theory of constraints, which is used to construct meaningful brackets from those obtained directly from Euler-Poincaré theory. Possible applications of these formulations…
A new Hamiltonian structure of the Maxwell-Bloch equations is described. In this setting the Maxwell-Bloch equations appear as a member of a family of generalized Maxwell-Bloch systems. The family is parameterized by compact semi-simple Lie groups, the original Maxwell-Bloch system being the member corresponding to SU(2). The Hamiltonian structure is then used in the construction of a new family of symmetries and the associated conserved quantities of the Maxwell-Bloch equations.
Riemannian geometry is a particular case of Hamiltonian mechanics: the orbits of the hamiltonian $H=\frac{1}{2}g^{ij}p_{i}p_{j}$ are the geodesics. Given a symplectic manifold (Γ,ω), a hamiltonian $H:Γ\to\mathbb{R}$ and a Lagrangian sub-manifold $M\subsetΓ$ we find a generalization of the notion of curvature. The particular case $H=\frac{1}{2}g^{ij}\left[p_{i}-A_{i}\right]\left[p_{j}-A_{j}\right]+ϕ$ of a particle moving in a gravitational, electromagnetic and scalar fields is studied in more detail. The integral of the generalized Ricci tensor w.r.t. the Boltzmann weight reduces to the action …
Our goal is the discussion of the problem of mathematical interpretation of basic postulates (or `principles') of Quantum Mechanics: transitions to quantum stationary orbits, the wave-particle duality, and the probabilistic interpretation, in the context of semiclassical self-consistent Maxwell--Schrödinger equations. We discuss possible relations of these postulates to the theory of attractors of Hamiltonian nonlinear PDEs and to a new general mathematical conjecture on global attractors of G-invariant nonlinear Hamiltonian partial differential equations with a Lie symmetry group G. This conj…
We generalise Livens theorem, showing that Hamiltonian equation on the vector bundle $E^\ast\rightarrow M$, dual to a general algebroid $E\rightarrow M$, can be derived by means of a variational principle. The framework can be used to describe Hamiltonian dynamics associated with (both vaconomic and nonholonomic) constraints in the bundle $E$.
Techniques for coordinate changes that depend on both dependent and independent variables are developed and applied to the Maxwell-Vlasov Hamiltonian theory. Particle coordinate changes with a new velocity variable dependent on the magnetic field, with spatial coordinates unchanged, are lifted to transform the noncanonical Poisson bracket and, thus, the field Hamiltonian structure of the Vlasov-Maxwell equation. Several examples are given including magnetic coordinates, where the velocity is decomposed into components parallel and perpendicular to the local magnetic field, and the case of sphe…
The Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of electromagnetism are reviewed and the Maxwell equations are obtained from the Hamiltonian for a system of many electric charges. It is shown that three of the equations which were obtained from the Hamiltonian, namely the Lorentz force law and two Maxwell equations, can be obtained as well from a set of postulated Poisson brackets. It is shown how the results derived from these brackets can be used to reconstruct the original Lagrangian for the theory aided by some reasoning based on physical concepts.
We review in detail the Hamiltonian dynamics for constrained systems. Emphasis is put on the total Hamiltonian system rather than on the extended Hamiltonian system. We provide a systematic analysis of (global and local) symmetries in total Hamiltonian systems. In particular, in analogue to total Hamiltonians, we introduce the notion of total Noether charges. Grassmannian degrees of freedom are also addressed in details.
Symplectic structures associated to connection forms on certain types of principal fiber bundles are constructed via analysis of reduced geometric structures on fibered manifolds invariant under naturally related symmetry groups. This approach is then applied to nonstandard Hamiltonian analysis of of dynamical systems of Maxwell and Yang-Mills type. A symplectic reduction theory of the classical Maxwell equations is formulated so as to naturally include the Lorentz condition (ensuring the existence of electromagnetic waves), thereby solving the well known Dirac -Fock - Podolsky problem. Symple…
We consider a class of Lagrangians that depend not only on some configurational variables and their first time derivatives, but also on second time derivatives, thereby leading to fourth-order evolution equations. The proposed higher-order Lagrangians are obtained by expressing the variables of standard Lagrangians in terms of more basic variables and their time derivatives. The Hamiltonian formulation of the proposed class of models is obtained by means of the Ostrogradsky formalism. The structure of the Hamiltonians for this particular class of models is such that constraints can be introduc…
The Dirac method treatment for finite dimensional singular systems with weakly vanishing Hamiltonian leads to obtain the equations of motion in terms of parameter $τ$. To obtain the correct equations of motion one should use gauge fixing of the form $τ- f(t)=0$. It is shown that the canonical method leads to describe the evolution in both standard and constrained finite dimensional systems with weakly vanishing Hamiltonian in terms of the physical time $t$, without using any gauge fixing conditions. Besides the operator quantization of the these systems is investigated using the canonical meth…
The Hamiltonian analysis for the Euler and Second-Chern classes is performed. We show that, in spite of the fact that the Second-Chern and Euler invariants give rise to the same equations of motion, their corresponding symplectic structures on the phase space are different, therefore, one can expect different quantum formulations. In addition, the symmetries of actions written as a BF-like theory that lead to Yang-Mills equations of motion are studied. A close relationship with the results obtained in previous works for the Second-Chern and Euler classes is found.
An extension of Riewe's fractional Hamiltonian formulation is presented for fractional constrained systems. The conditions of consistency of the set of constraints with equations of motion are investigated. Three examples of fractional constrained systems are analyzed in details.
The Maxwell electromagnetic and the Lorentz type force equations are derived in the framework of the R. Feynman proper time paradigm and the related vacuum field theory approach. The electron inertia problem is analyzed within the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms and the related pressure-energy compensation principle. The modified Abraham- Lorentz damping radiation force is derived, the electromagnetic electron mass origin is argued.
The purely affine Lagrangian for linear electrodynamics, that has the form of the Maxwell Lagrangian in which the metric tensor is replaced by the symmetrized Ricci tensor and the electromagnetic field tensor by the tensor of homothetic curvature, is dynamically equivalent to the Einstein-Maxwell equations in the metric-affine and metric formulation. We show that this equivalence is related to the invariance of the Maxwell Lagrangian under conformal transformations of the metric tensor. We also apply to a purely affine Lagrangian the Legendre transformation with respect to the tensor of homoth…
We propose a generalization of the momentum map on a symplectic manifold with a Lie algebra action to a Courant algebroid structure. The theory of a momentum section on a Lie algebroid is generalized to the theory compatible with a Courant algebroid. As an example, we identify the momentum section in a constrained Hamiltonian mechanics with Courant algebroid symmetry. Moreover, we construct cohomological formulations by considering the BFV and BV formalism of this Hamiltonian system. The Weil algebra for this structure is constructed.
These are pedagogical notes on the Hamiltonian formulation of constrained dynamical systems. All the examples are finite dimensional, field theories are not covered, and the notes could be used by students for a preliminary study before the infinite dimensional phase space of field theory is tackled. Holonomic constraints in configuration space are considered first and Dirac brackets introduced for such systems. It is shown that Dirac brackets are a projection of Poisson brackets onto the constrained phase space and the projection operator is constructed explicitly. More general constraints on…
The action for a class of three-dimensional dilaton-gravity theories, with an electromagnetic Maxwell field and a cosmological constant, can be recast in a Brans-Dicke-Maxwell type action, with its free $ω$ parameter. For a negative cosmological constant, these theories have static, electrically charged, and spherically symmetric black hole solutions. Those theories with well formulated asymptotics are studied through a Hamiltonian formalism, and their thermodynamical properties are found. The theories studied are general relativity, a dimensionally reduced cylindrical four-dimensional general…
We consider constrained Hamiltonian systems in the framework of Dirac's theory. We show that the Jacobi identity results from imposing that the constraints are Casimir invariants, regardless of the fact that the matrix of Poisson brackets between constraints is invertible or not. We point out that the proof we provide ensures the validity of the Jacobi identity everywhere in phase space, and not just on the surface defined by the constraints. Two examples are considered: A finite dimensional system with an odd number of constraints, and the Vlasov-Poisson reduction from Vlasov-Maxwell equation…
Several proposals to deal with the dynamics of general relativity involve gauge fixings or the introduction matter fields in terms of which the theory is deparameterized. The resulting theories have true Hamiltonians for their evolution that usually involve square roots, and this poses certain challenges for their implementation as self-adjoint quantum operators. We show in the context of a simple model of totally constrained theory that one can introduce related, well defined operators that reproduce semiclassically the same physics as the original ones, at least for states peaked in the regi…
Knotted solutions to electromagnetism are investigated as an independent subsector of the theory. We write down a Lagrangian and a Hamiltonian formulation of Bateman's construction for the knotted electromagnetic solutions. We introduce a general definition of the null condition and generalize the construction of Maxwell's theory to massless free complex scalar, its dual two form field, and to a massless DBI scalar. We set up the framework for quantizing the theory both in a path integral approach, as well as the canonical Dirac method for a constrained system. We make several observations abo…
The Dirac-Bergmann algorithm is a recipe for converting a theory with a singular Lagrangian into a constrained Hamiltonian system. Constrained Hamiltonian systems include gauge theories -- general relativity, electromagnetism, Yang Mills, string theory, etc. The Dirac-Bergmann algorithm is elegant but at the same time rather complicated. It consists of a large number of logical steps linked together by a subtle chain of reasoning. Examples of the Dirac-Bergmann algorithm found in the literature are designed to isolate and illustrate just one or two of those logical steps. In this paper I analy…
The generalized Maxwell equations including an additional scalar field are considered in the first-order formalism. The gauge invariance of the Lagrangian and equations is broken resulting the appearance of a scalar field. We find the canonical and symmetrical Belinfante energy-momentum tensors. It is shown that the traces of the energy-momentum tensors are not equal to zero and the dilatation symmetry is broken in the theory considered. The matrix Hamiltonian form of equations is obtained after the exclusion of the nondynamical components. The canonical quantization is performed and the propa…
Finite-dimensional reductions of the 2D dispersionless Toda hierarchy, constrained by the ``string equation'' are studied. These include solutions determined by polynomial, rational or logarithmic functions, which are of interest in relation to the ``Laplacian growth'' problem governing interface dynamics. The consistency of such reductions is proved, and the Hamiltonian structure of the reduced dynamics is derived. The Poisson structure of the rationally reduced dispersionless Toda hierarchies is also derived
In the reduced phase space of electromagnetism, the generator of duality rotations in the usual Poisson bracket is shown to generate Maxwell's equations in a second, much simpler Poisson bracket. This gives rise to a hierarchy of bi-Hamiltonian evolution equations in the standard way. The result can be extended to linearized Yang-Mills theory, linearized gravity and massless higher spin gauge fields.
