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Quantum mechanics in phase space: first order comparison between the Wigner and the Fermi function

  • Quantum Optics
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Abstract

The Fermi gF(x,p) function provides a phase space description of quantum mechanics conceptually different from that based on the the Wigner function W(x,p). In this paper, we show that for a peaked wave packet the gF(x,p)=0 curve approximately corresponds to a phase space contour level of the Wigner function and provides a satisfactory description of the wave packet’s size and shape. Our results show that the Fermi function is an interesting tool to investigate quantum fluctuations in the semiclassical regime.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CNISM, CNR-INFM, and Center for Nonlinear and Complex Systems, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy

    G. Benenti

  2. Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Milano, via Celoria 16, 20133, Milano, Italy

    G. Benenti

  3. Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 16, 20133, Milano, Italy

    G. Strini

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  1. G. Benenti
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  2. G. Strini
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Correspondence to G. Benenti.

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Benenti, G., Strini, G. Quantum mechanics in phase space: first order comparison between the Wigner and the Fermi function. Eur. Phys. J. D 57, 117–121 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2010-00006-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2010-00006-y

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