Based on the results of a recent reexamination of the quantization of systems with first-class and second-class constraints from the point of view of coherent-state phase-space path integration, we give additional examples of the quantization procedure for reparameterization invariant Hamiltonians, for systems for which the original set of Lagrange multipliers are elevated to dynamical variables, as well as extend the formalism to include cases of first-class constraints the operator form of which have a spectral gap about the value zero that characterizes the quantum constraint subspace.
New measures for the quantization of systems with constraints are discussed and applied to several examples, in particular, examples of alternative but equivalent formulations of given first-class constraints, as well as a comparison of regular and irregular constraints.
The conversion of second-class constraints into first-class constraints is used to extend the coordinate-free path integral quantization, achieved by a flat-space Brownian motion regularization of the coherent-state path integral measure, to systems with second-class constraints.
Systems under holonomic constraints are classified within the generalized Hamiltonian framework as second-class constraints systems. We show that each system of point particles with holonomic constraints has a hidden gauge symmetry which allows to quantize it in the original phase space as a first-class constraints system. The proposed method is illustrated with quantization of a point particle moving on an $n-1$-dimensional sphere $S^{n-1}$ as well as its field theory analog the O(n) nonlinear sigma model.
It is shown that quantization of the dynamical systems with second class constraints actually can be reduced to quantization of the systems with first class constraints. The motion of the non-relativistic particle along the plane curve and on a surface is considered. The results coincide with those of the "thin layer method". Influence of the non-physical variables on the physical sector is demonstrated.
We propose a method of quantization based on Hamilton-Jacobi theory in the presence of a random constraint due to the fluctuations of a set of hidden random variables. Given a Lagrangian, it reproduces the results of canonical quantization yet with a unique ordering of operators if the Lagrange multiplier that arises in the dynamical system with constraint can only take binary values $\pm\hbar/2$ with equal probability.
The quantization of systems with first- and second-class constraints within the coherent-state path-integral approach is extended to quantum systems with fermionic degrees of freedom. As in the bosonic case the importance of path-integral measures for Lagrange multipliers, which in this case are in general expected to be elements of a Grassmann algebra, is emphasized. Several examples with first- and second-class constraints are discussed.
This work addresses certain ambiguities in the Dirac approach to constrained systems. Specifically, we investigate the space of so-called ``rigging maps'' associated with Refined Algebraic Quantization, a particular realization of the Dirac scheme. Our main result is to provide a condition under which the rigging map is unique, in which case we also show that it is given by group averaging techniques. Our results comprise all cases where the gauge group is a finite-dimensional Lie group.
A careful reexamination of the quantization of systems with first- and second-class constraints from the point of view of coherent-state phase-space path integration reveals several significant distinctions from more conventional treatments. Most significantly, we emphasize the importance of using path-integral measures for Lagrange multipliers which ensure that the quantum system satisfies the quantum constraint conditions. Our procedures involve no delta-functionals of the classical constraints, no need for gauge fixing of first-class constraints, no need to eliminate second-class constraint…
In the framework of Dirac quantization with second class constraints, a free particle moving on the surface of a $(d-1)-$dimensional sphere has an ambiguity in the energy spectrum due to the arbitrary shift of canonical momenta. We explicitly show that this spectrum obtained by the Dirac method can be consistent with the result of the Batalin-Fradkin-Tyutin formalism, which is an improved Dirac method, at the level of the first-class constraint by fixing the ambiguity, and discuss its physical consequences.
Using azimuthally symmetrized cylindrical coordinates, we report the consequences of zero-energy quantal states on the von Roos Hamiltonian. A position-dependent mass M(ρ,ϕ,z)=bz^{j}ρ^{2\u{psion}+1}/2 is used. We show that the zero-energy setting not only offers an additional degree of freedom towards feasible separability for the von Roos Hamiltonian, but also manifestly yields auxiliary quantized ambiguity parametric constraints.
Systems with constraints pose problems when they are quantized. Moreover, the Dirac procedure of quantization prior to reduction is preferred. The projection operator method of quantization, which can be most conveniently described by coherent state path integrals, enables one to directly impose a regularized form of the quantum constraints. This procedure also overcomes conventional difficulties with normalization and second class constraints that invalidate conventional Dirac quantization procedures.
We quantize spherically symmetric vacuum gravity without gauge fixing the diffeomorphism constraint. Through a rescaling, we make the algebra of Hamiltonian constraints Abelian and therefore the constraint algebra is a true Lie algebra. This allows the completion of the Dirac quantization procedure using loop quantum gravity techniques. We can construct explicitly the exact solutions of the physical Hilbert space annihilated by all constraints. New observables living in the bulk appear at the quantum level (analogous to spin in quantum mechanics) that are not present at the classical level and…
We examine two singular Lagrangian systems with constraints which apparently reduce the phase space to a 2-dimensional sphere and a 2-dimensional hyperboloid. Rigorous constraint analysis by Dirac's method, however, gives 2-dimensional open disc and an infinite plane with a hole in the centre respectively as the reduced phase spaces. Upon canonical quantisation the classical constraints show up as restrictions on the Hilbert space.
The program of quantizing the gravitational field with the help of affine field variables is continued. For completeness, a review of the selection criteria that singles out the affine fields, the alternative treatment of constraints, and the choice of the initial (before imposition of the constraints) ultralocal representation of the field operators is initially presented. As analogous examples demonstrate, the introduction and enforcement of the gravitational constraints will cause sufficient changes in the operator representations so that all vestiges of the initial ultralocal field operato…
We show that an unambiguous and correct quantization of the second-class constrained system of a free particle on a sphere in $D$ dimensions is possible only by converting the constraints to abelian gauge constraints, which are of first class in Dirac's classification scheme. The energy spectrum is equal to that of a pure Laplace-Beltrami operator with no additional constant arising from the curvature of the sphere. A quantization of Dirac's modified Poisson brackets for second-class constraints is also possible and unique, but must be rejected since the resulting energy spectrum is physically…
We provide a full quantization of the vacuum Gowdy model with local rotational symmetry. We consider a redefinition of the constraints where the Hamiltonian Poisson-commutes with itself. We then apply the canonical quantization program of loop quantum gravity within an improved dynamics scheme. We identify the exact solutions of the constraints and the physical observables, and we construct the physical Hilbert space. It is remarkable that quantum spacetimes are free of singularities. New quantum observables naturally arising in the treatment partially codify the discretization of the geometry…
The present article is primarily a review of the projection-operator approach to quantize systems with constraints. We study the quantization of systems with general first- and second-class constraints from the point of view of coherent-state, phase-space path integration, and show that all such cases may be treated, within the original classical phase space, by using suitable path-integral measures for the Lagrange multipliers which ensure that the quantum system satisfies the appropriate quantum constraint conditions. Unlike conventional methods, our procedures involve no $δ$-functionals of …
Motivated by certain concepts introduced by the Refined Algebraic Quantization formalism for constrained systems which has been successfully applied within the context of Loop Quantum Gravity, in this paper we propose a phase space implementation of the Dirac quantization formalism to appropriately include systems with constraints. In particular, we propose a physically prescribed Wigner distribution which allows the definition of a well-defined inner product by judiciously introducing a star version of the group averaging of the constraints. This star group averaging procedure is obtained by …
A relativistic Hamiltonian mechanical system is seen as a conservative Dirac constraint system on the cotangent bundle of a pseudo-Riemannian manifold. We provide geometric quantization of this cotangent bundle where the quantum constraint serves as a relativistic quantum equation.
It is a general belief that all fundamental interactions need to be quantized. However, all attempts to develop a quantum theory of gravity presented various problems, leading to a recent active debate about how to probe its quantum nature. In the present work we provide a proof for the necessity of quantizing fundamental interactions demonstrating that a quantum version is needed for any non trivial conservative interaction whose strength is a function of the relative distance between two objects. Our proof is based on a consistency argument that in the presence of a classical field two inter…
