Contact Geometry and Quantum Mechanics

  • Data: 11 settembre 2018 dalle 15:00 alle 16:00

  • Luogo: Aula Teorici, piano 2, via Irnerio 46, Bologna

Contatto di riferimento:

Partecipanti: Prof. Andrew Waldron: UC, Davis

Abstract: We present a generally covariant approach to quantum mechanics. Generalized positions, momenta and TIME are treated on the same footing as coordinates on a fundamental “phase-spacetime” manifold. Dynamics are encoded by giving phase-spacetime a contact structure. BRST quantization yields a physical Hilbert space described by a Hilbert bundle over phase-spacetime. Inner products of solutions then both reproduces and generalizes the Wigner functions of standard quantum mechanics. In this picture "quantization = finding a flat connection" and “quantum evolution = parallel transport".