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João Nuno Prata

Publications and source records attributed to João Nuno Prata.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Inverse problems for the zeros of the Wigner function

We study the nodal (zero) set of the Wigner transform, obtaining a rigidity theorem for the eigenstates of one-dimensional harmonic oscillator. For every $k \in \mathbb{N}_0$, and $f\in L^{2}(\mathbb{R})$, equality between the nodal sets of $Wf$ and $Wh_{k}$ determines $f$, up to a constant phase and an explicitly defined nodal-preserving pseudo-displacement. The proof requires a result with independent interest, where it is shown that a Wigner distribution has bounded nodal set if and only if its underlying state is, up to time-frequency and metaplectic symmetries, a finite Hermite expansion. The demonstration of the results combines new analytic, geometric and arithmetic tools: a property of classical convolution, a geometric study of phase space displacements and a new divisibility theorem for generalized Laguerre polynomials. As a by-product, we obtain several results concerning the structure and admissible geometry of bounded nodal sets of Wigner distributions.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2025

On Wigdersons' approach to the uncertainty principle

We revisit the uncertainty principle from the point of view suggested by A. Wigderson and Y. Wigderson. This approach is based on a primary uncertainty principle from which one can derive several inequalities expressing the impossibility of a simultaneous sharp localization in time and frequency. Moreover, it requires no specific properties of the Fourier transform and can therefore be easily applied to all operators satisfying the primary uncertainty principle. A. Wigderson and Y. Wigderson also suggested many generalizations to higher dimensions and stated several conjectures which we address in the present paper. We argue that we have to consider a more general primary uncertainty principle to prove the results suggested by the authors. As a by-product we obtain some new inequalities akin to the Cowling-Price uncertainty principle, a generalization of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, and derive the entropic uncertainty principle from the primary uncertainty principles.

math.FA↗
arXiv2024

A metaplectic perspective of uncertainty principles in the Linear Canonical Transform domain

We derive Heisenberg uncertainty principles for pairs of Linear Canonical Transforms of a given function, by resorting to the fact that these transforms are just metaplectic operators associated with free symplectic matrices. The results obtained synthesize and generalize previous results found in the literature, because they apply to all signals, in arbitrary dimension and any metaplectic operator (which includes Linear Canonical Transforms as particular cases). Moreover, we also obtain a generalization of the Robertson-Schrödinger uncertainty principle for Linear Canonical Transforms. We also propose a new quadratic phase-space distribution, which represents a signal along two intermediate directions in the time-frequency plane. The marginal distributions are always non-negative and permit a simple interpretation in terms of the Radon transform. We also give a geometric interpretation of this quadratic phase-space representation as a Wigner distribution obtained upon Weyl quantization on a non-standard symplectic vector space. Finally, we derive the multidimensional version of the Hardy uncertainty principle for metaplectic operators and the Paley-Wiener theorem for Linear Canonical Transforms.

math.FA↗
arXiv2023

Vibration modes of the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation with singularities

We consider the time dependent Euler--Bernoulli beam equation with discontinuous and singular coefficients. Using an extension of the Hörmander product of distributions with non-intersecting singular supports [L. Hörmander, The Analysis of Linear Partial Diffe\-rential Operators I, Springer-Verlag, 1983], we obtain an explicit formulation of the differential problem which is strictly defined within the space of Schwartz distributions. We determine the general structure of its separable solutions and prove existence, uniqueness and regularity results under quite general conditions. This formalism is used to study the dynamics of an Euler--Bernoulli beam model with discontinuous flexural stiffness and structural cracks. We consider the cases of simply supported and clamped--clamped boundary conditions and study the relation between the characteristic frequencies of the beam and the position, magnitude and structure of the singularities in the flexural stiffness. Our results are compared with some recent formulations of the same problem.

math.AP↗
arXiv2023

On a recent conjecture by Z. Van Herstraeten and N.J. Cerf for the quantum Wigner entropy

We address a recent conjecture stated by Z. Van Herstraeten and N.J. Cerf. They claim that the Shannon entropy for positive Wigner functions is bounded below by a positive constant, which can be attained only by Gaussian pure states. We introduce an alternative definition of entropy for all absolutely integrable Wigner functions, which is the Shannon entropy for positive Wigner functions. Moreover, we are able to prove, in arbitrary dimension, that this entropy is indeed bounded below by a positive constant, which is not very distant from the constant suggested by Van Herstraeten and Cerf. We also prove an analogous result for another conjecture stated by the same authors for the Rényi entropy of positive Wigner functions. As a by-product we prove a new inequality for the radar-ambiguity function (and for the Wigner distribution) which is reminiscent of Lieb's inequalities.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2022

Uncertainty principle via variational calculus on modulation spaces

We approach uncertainty principles of Cowling-Price-Heis-\\enberg-type as a variational principle on modulation spaces. In our discussion we are naturally led to compact localization operators with symbols in modulation spaces. The optimal constant in these uncertainty principles is the smallest eigenvalue of the inverse of a compact localization operator. The Euler-Lagrange equations for the associated functional provide equations for the eigenfunctions of the smallest eigenvalue of these compact localization operators. As a by-product of our proofs we derive a generalization to mixed-norm spaces of an inequality for Wigner and Ambiguity functions due do Lieb.

math.FA↗
arXiv2022

Short-time Fourier transform of the pointwise product of two functions with application to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation

We show that the short-time Fourier transform of the pointwise product of two functions $f$ and $h$ can be written as a suitable product of the short-time Fourier transforms of $f$ and $h$. The same result is then shown to be valid for the Wigner wave-packet transform. We study the main properties of the new products. We then use these products to derive integro-differential equations on the time-frequency space equivalent to, and generalizing, the cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation. We also obtain the Weyl-Wigner-Moyal equation satisfied by the Wigner-Ville function associated with the solution of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The new equation resembles the Boltzmann equation.

math-ph↗
arXiv2021

Boundaries and profiles in the Wigner formalism

We consider a quantum device contained in an interval in the context of the Weyl-Wigner formalism. This approach was originally suggested by Frensley, and is known to be plagued with several problems, such as non-physical and non-unique solutions. We show that some of these problems may be avoided if one writes the correct dynamical equation. This requires the (non-local) influence of the potential outside of the device and the inclusion of singular boundary potentials. We also discuss the problem of imposing boundary conditions on the Wigner function that mimic the effect of the external environment. We argue that these conditions have to be chosen with extreme care, as they may otherwise lead to non-physical solutions.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2018

Wigner functions on non-standard symplectic vector spaces

We consider the Weyl quantization on a flat non-standard symplectic vector space. We focus mainly on the properties of the Wigner functions defined therein. In particular we show that the sets of Wigner functions on distinct symplectic spaces are different but have non-empty intersections. This extends previous results to arbitrary dimension and arbitrary (constant) symplectic structure. As a by-product we introduce and prove several concepts and results on non-standard symplectic spaces which generalize those on the standard symplectic space, namely the symplectic spectrum, Williamson's theorem and Narcowich-Wigner spectra. We also show how Wigner functions on non-standard symplectic spaces behave under the action of an arbitrary linear coordinate transformation.

math-ph↗
arXiv2017

Quantum mappings acting by coordinate transformations on Wigner distributions

We prove two results about Wigner distributions. Firstly, that the Wigner transform is the only sesquilinear map ${\mathcal S}(\mathbb{R}^n) \times {\mathcal S}(\mathbb{R}^n) \to {\mathcal S}(\mathbb{R}^{2n})$ which is bounded and covariant under phase-space translations and linear symplectomorphisms. Consequently, the Wigner distributions form the only set of quasidistributions which is invariant under linear symplectic transformations. Secondly, we prove that the maximal group of (linear or non-linear) coordinate transformations that preserves the set of (pure or mixed) Wigner distributions consists of the translations and the linear symplectic and antisymplectic transformations.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2015

Bell operator and Gaussian squeezed states in noncommutative quantum mechanics

One examines putative corrections to the Bell operator due to the noncommutativity in the phase-space. Starting from a Gaussian squeezed envelop whose time evolution is driven by commutative (standard quantum mechanics) and noncommutative dynamics respectively, one concludes that, although the time evolving covariance matrix in the noncommutative case is different from the standard case, the squeezing parameter dominates and there are no noticeable noncommutative corrections to the Bell operator. This indicates that, at least for squeezed states, the privileged states to test Bell correlations, noncommutativity versions of quantum mechnics remains as non-local as quantum mechanics itself.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2014

Phase-space noncommutative extension of the Robertson-Schroedinger formulation of Ozawa's uncertainty principle

We revisit Ozawa's uncertainty principle (OUP) in the framework of noncommutative (NC) quantum mechanics. We derive a matrix version of OUP accommodating any NC structure in the phase-space, and compute NC corrections to lowest order for two measurement interactions, namely the Backaction Evading Quadrature Amplifier and Noiseless Quadrature Transducers. These NC corrections alter the nature of the measurement interaction, as a noiseless interaction may acquire noise, and an interaction of independent intervention may become dependent of the object system. However the most striking result is that noncommutativity may lead to a violation of the OUP itself. The NC corrections for the Backaction Evading Quadrature Amplifier reveal a new term which may potentially be amplified in such a way that the violation of the OUP becomes experimentally testable. On the other hand, the NC corrections to the Noiseless Quadrature Transducer shows an incompatibility of this model with NC quantum mechanics. We discuss the implications of this incompatibility for NC quantum mechanics and for Ozawa's uncertainty principle.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2014

A symplectic extension map and a new Shubin class of pseudo-differential operators

For an arbitrary pseudo-differential operator $A:\mathcal{S}(\mathbb{R}% ^{n})\longrightarrow\mathcal{S}^{\prime}(\mathbb{R}^{n})$ with Weyl symbol $a\in\mathcal{S}^{\prime}(\mathbb{R}^{2n})$, we consider the pseudo-differential operators $\widetilde{A}:\mathcal{S}(\mathbb{R}% ^{n+k})\longrightarrow\mathcal{S}^{\prime}(\mathbb{R}^{n+k})$ associated with the Weyl symbols $\widetilde{a}=(a\otimes1_{2k})\circ{s}$, where $1_{2k}(x)=1$ for all $x\in\mathbb{R}^{2k}$ and ${s}$ is a linear symplectomorphism of $\mathbb{R}^{2(n+k)}$. We call the operators $\widetilde{A}$ symplectic dimensional extensions of $A$. In this paper we study the relation between $A$ and $\widetilde{A}$ in detail, in particular their regularity, invertibility and spectral properties. We obtain an explicit formula allowing to express the eigenfunctions of $\widetilde{A}$ in terms of those of $A$. We use this formalism to construct new classes of pseudo-differential operators, which are extensions of the Shubin classes $HG_ρ^{m_{1},m_{0}}$ of globally hypoelliptic operators. We show that the operators in the new classes share the invertibility and spectral properties of the operators in $HG_{ρ}^{m_{1},m_{0}}$ but not the global hypoellipticity property. Finally, we study a few examples of operators that belong to the new classes and which are important in mathematical physics.

math.FA↗
arXiv2014

Metaplectic formulation of the Wigner transform and applications

We show that the cross Wigner function can be written in the form $W(ψ, ϕ)= \hat S (ψ\otimes \overline{\hatϕ})$ where ${\hatϕ}$ is the Fourier transform of $ϕ$ and $\hat S$ is a metaplectic operator that projects onto a linear symplectomorphism $S$ consisting of a rotation along an ellipse in phase space (or in the time-frequency space). This formulation can be extended to generic Weyl symbols and yields an interesting fractional generalization of the Weyl-Wigner formalism. It also provides a suitable approach to study the Bopp phase space representation of quantum mechanics, familiar from deformation quantization. Using the "metaplectic formulation" of the Wigner transform we construct a complete set of intertwiners relating the Weyl and the Bopp pseudo-differential operators. This is an important result that allows us to prove the spectral and dynamical equivalence of the Schrödinger and the Bopp representations of quantum mechanics.

math-ph↗
arXiv2013

Maximal Covariance Group of Wigner Transforms and Pseudo-Differential Operators

We show that the linear symplectic and anti-symplectic transformations form the maximal covariance group for both the Wigner transform and Weyl operators. The proof is based on a new result from symplectic geometry which characterizes symplectic and anti-symplectic matrices, and which allows us, in addition, to refine a classical result on the preservation of symplectic capacities of ellipsoids.

math.SG↗
arXiv2013

Entanglement due to noncommutativity in the phase-space

The entanglement criterion for continuous variable systems and the conditions under which the uncertainty relations are fulfilled are generalized to the case of a noncommutative (NC) phase-space. The quantum nature and the separability of NC two-mode Gaussian states are examined. It is shown that the entanglement of Gaussian states may be exclusively induced by switching on the noncommutative deformation.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2012

Violation of the Robertson-Schrödinger uncertainty principle and non-commutative quantum mechanics

We show that a possible violation of the Robertson-Schrödinger uncertainty principle may signal the existence of a deformation of the Heisenberg-Weyl algebra. More precisely, we prove that any Gaussian in phase-space (even if it violates the Robertson-Schrödinger uncertainty principle) is always a quantum state of an appropriate non-commutative extension of quantum mechanics. Conversely, all canonical non-commutative extensions of quantum mechanics display states that violate the Robertson-Schrödinger uncertainty principle.

hep-th↗