Quantum phase space with a basis of Wannier functions. (27th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fang, Yuan; Wu, Fan; Wu, Biao
• Is Part Of: Journal of statistical mechanics. (2018:Feb.)
• Publication Date: 2018-02-27
• Subjects: 2; Statistical mechanics -- Periodicals; Mechanics -- Statistical methods -- Periodicals; 530.1305
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-5468/aaac54
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-5468

Abstract

Abstract: A quantum phase space with Wannier basis is constructed: (i) classical phase space is divided into Planck cells; (ii) a complete set of Wannier functions are constructed with the combination of Kohn's method and Löwdin method such that each Wannier function is localized at a Planck cell. With these Wannier functions one can map a wave function unitarily onto phase space. Various examples are used to illustrate our method and compare it to Wigner function. The advantage of our method is that it can smooth out the oscillations in wave functions without losing any information and is potentially a better tool in studying quantum-classical correspondence. In addition, we point out that our method can be used for time-frequency analysis of signals.