Phase space quantum mechanics of a free particle moving in a plane

The eigenstates of a free quantum particle propagating in a plane are derived in the context of phase space quantum mechanics. Two possibilities are analysed. First, the case of a particle with fixed energy and angular momentum is considered. A special choice of coordinates on the four-dimensional phase space, suitable for representing the eigenstates of the particle under consideration, is presented. A phase-space counterpart of the product of operators, known as the Moyal product, is derived in these coordinates. The eigenvalue equations are solved, and their physically acceptable solutions, called Wigner functions, are identified. Second, a particle with fixed components of the Cartesian momentum is considered. A relationship is found between the Wigner function of the particle with fixed Cartesian momentum components and some functions characterising the particle with fixed energy and angular momentum.

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Publication Details

Journal
Scientific Reports
Published
2026-09-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-67321-3
Primary Topic
Quantum chaos and dynamical systems
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Phase space quantum mechanics of a free particle moving in a plane

Jaromir Tosiek, Hubert JÓŹWIAK
Scientific Reports
Quantum chaos and dynamical systems
article

Phase space quantum mechanics of a free particle moving in a plane

Jaromir Tosiek, Hubert JÓŹWIAK
article en

Abstract

The eigenstates of a free quantum particle propagating in a plane are derived in the context of phase space quantum mechanics. Two possibilities are analysed. First, the case of a particle with fixed energy and angular momentum is considered. A special choice of coordinates on the four-dimensional phase space, suitable for representing the eigenstates of the particle under consideration, is presented. A phase-space counterpart of the product of operators, known as the Moyal product, is derived in these coordinates. The eigenvalue equations are solved, and their physically acceptable solutions, called Wigner functions, are identified. Second, a particle with fixed components of the Cartesian momentum is considered. A relationship is found between the Wigner function of the particle with fixed Cartesian momentum components and some functions characterising the particle with fixed energy and angular momentum.

Scientific Reports
Lodz University of Technology (PL), Institute of Physics (PL)
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Quantum chaos and dynamical systems
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