Coherent States in Action

TL;DR

This paper re-examines quantum phase space path integrals, highlighting inconsistencies in traditional formulations and proposing a coherent state-based approach that offers a self-consistent physical interpretation of phase space variables.

Contribution

It introduces a coherent state-based phase space path integral that provides a consistent physical meaning for the variables involved, addressing issues in traditional methods.

Findings

Traditional phase space path integrals have inconsistent variable interpretations.

Coherent state path integrals yield self-consistent physical variables.

The approach clarifies the physical meaning of phase space variables in quantum mechanics.

Abstract

Quantum mechanical phase space path integrals are re-examined with regard to the physical interpretation of the phase space variables involved. It is demonstrated that the traditional phase space path integral implies a meaning for the variables involved that is manifestly inconsistent. On the other hand, a phase space path integral based on coherent states entails variables that exhibit a self-consistent physical meaning.