Classical and quantum behavior of dynamical systems defined by functions of solvable Hamiltonians

TL;DR

This paper explores how classical and quantum systems evolve when their Hamiltonian is a function of a solvable Hamiltonian, highlighting significant differences in quantum behavior, especially in constructing coherent states, with implications for quantum optics and gravity.

Contribution

It analyzes classical and quantum dynamics of Hamiltonians based on solvable systems, emphasizing differences in quantum evolution and the challenges in coherent state construction.

Findings

Quantum evolution differs significantly from classical predictions.

Constructing coherent states is generally impossible for these Hamiltonians.

The study has pedagogical value and relevance to quantum optics and gravity.

Abstract

We discuss the classical and quantum mechanical evolution of systems described by a Hamiltonian that is a function of a solvable one, both classically and quantum mechanically. The case in which the solvable Hamiltonian corresponds to the harmonic oscillator is emphasized. We show that, in spite of the similarities at the classical level, the quantum evolution is very different. In particular, this difference is important in constructing coherent states, which is impossible in most cases. The class of Hamiltonians we consider is interesting due to its pedagogical value and its applicability to some open research problems in quantum optics and quantum gravity.