Extending the Concept of Probability Flux

TL;DR

This paper introduces the Husimi map as a new visualization tool for quantum wavefunctions, providing insights into classical dynamics through phase space analysis, and demonstrates its effectiveness on various quantum systems.

Contribution

It extends the concept of probability flux by developing the Husimi map, offering a robust and flexible alternative for visualizing quantum phase space dynamics.

Findings

Husimi map complements traditional flux maps for small coherent states

It effectively visualizes classical dynamics underlying quantum states

Demonstrated on bound and open quantum systems with electromagnetic fields

Abstract

We develop the Husimi map for visualizing quantum wavefunctions using coherent states as a measurement of the local phase space to produce a vector field related to the probability flux. Adapted from the Husimi projection, the Husimi map is complimentary to the usual flux map, since they are identical for small coherent states. By improving our understanding of the flux operator and offering a robust and flexible alternative, we show how the Husimi projection can provide a map to the classical dynamics underlying a quantum wavefunction. We demonstrate its capabilities on bound systems with electromagnetic fields, as well as on open systems on and off resonance.