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Peter M. Young

Publications and source records attributed to Peter M. Young.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Nonconservative Lagrangian mechanics II: purely causal equations of motion

This work builds on the Volterra series formalism presented in [D. W. Dreisigmeyer and P. M. Young, J. Phys. A \textbf{36}, 8297, (2003)] to model nonconservative systems. Here we treat Lagrangians and actions as `time dependent' Volterra series. We present a new family of kernels to be used in these Volterra series that allow us to derive a single retarded equation of motion using a variational principle.

physics.class-ph

Extending Bauer's corollary to fractional derivatives

We comment on the method of Dreisigmeyer and Young [D. W. Dreisigmeyer and P. M. Young, J. Phys. A \textbf{36}, 8297, (2003)] to model nonconservative systems with fractional derivatives. It was previously hoped that using fractional derivatives in an action would allow us to derive a single retarded equation of motion using a variational principle. It is proven that, under certain reasonable assumptions, the method of Dreisigmeyer and Young fails.

physics.class-ph

Dynamic and Geometric Phase Formulasin the Hestenes-Dirac Theory

We examine the dynamic and geometric phases of the electron in quantum mechanics using Hestenes' spacetime algebra formalism. First the standard dynamic phase formula is translated into the spacetime algebra. We then define new formulas for the dynamic and geometric phases that can be used in Hestenes' formalism.

quant-ph

Nonconservative Lagrangian Mechanics: A generalized function approach

We reexamine the problem of having nonconservative equations of motion arise from the use of a variational principle. In particular, a formalism is developed that allows the inclusion of fractional derivatives. This is done within the Lagrangian framework by treating the action as a Volterra series. It is then possible to derive two equations of motion, one of these is an advanced equation and the other is retarded.

physics.class-ph

Feynman's Path Integrals as Evolutionary Semigroups

We show that, for a class of systems described by a Lagrangian L(x,\dot{x},t) = 1/2\dot{x}^{2} - V(x,t) the propagator can be reduced via Noether's Theorem to a standard path integral multiplied by a phase factor. Using Henstock's integration technique, this path integral is given a firm mathematical basis. Finally, we recast the propagator as an evolutionary semigroup.

math-ph