arXiv subjects

Robert G. Littlejohn

Publications and source records attributed to Robert G. Littlejohn.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2009

Asymptotics of the Wigner 9j symbol

We present the asymptotic formula for the Wigner 9j-symbol, valid when all quantum numbers are large, in the classically allowed region. As in the Ponzano-Regge formula for the 6j-symbol, the action is expressed in terms of lengths of edges and dihedral angles of a geometrical figure, but the angles require care in definition. Rules are presented for converting spin networks into the associated geometrical figures. The amplitude is expressed as the determinant of a 2x2 matrix of Poisson brackets. The 9j-symbol possesses caustics associated with the fold and elliptic and hyperbolic umbilic catastrophes. The asymptotic formula obeys the exact symmetries of the 9j-symbol.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2009

Uniform Semiclassical Approximation for the Wigner $6j$ Symbol in Terms of Rotation Matrices

A new uniform asymptotic approximation for the Wigner $6j$ symbol is given in terms of Wigner rotation matrices ($d$-matrices). The approximation is uniform in the sense that it applies for all values of the quantum numbers, even those near caustics. The derivation of the new approximation is not given, but the geometrical ideas supporting it are discussed and numerical tests are presented, including comparisons with the exact $6j$-symbol and with the Ponzano-Regge approximation.

math-ph↗

arXiv2007

Semiclassical analysis of Wigner $3j$-symbol

We analyze the asymptotics of the Wigner $3j$-symbol as a matrix element connecting eigenfunctions of a pair of integrable systems, obtained by lifting the problem of the addition of angular momenta into the space of Schwinger's oscillators. A novel element is the appearance of compact Lagrangian manifolds that are not tori, due to the fact that the observables defining the quantum states are noncommuting. These manifolds can be quantized by generalized Bohr-Sommerfeld rules and yield all the correct quantum numbers. The geometry of the classical angular momentum vectors emerges in a clear manner. Efficient methods for computing amplitude determinants in terms of Poisson brackets are developed and illustrated.

quant-ph↗

arXiv1999

Kinematic Orbits and the Structure of the Internal Space for Systems of Five or More Bodies

The internal space for a molecule, atom, or other n-body system can be conveniently parameterised by 3n-9 kinematic angles and three kinematic invariants. For a fixed set of kinematic invariants, the kinematic angles parameterise a subspace, called a kinematic orbit, of the n-body internal space. Building on an earlier analysis of the three- and four-body problems, we derive the form of these kinematic orbits (that is, their topology) for the general n-body problem. The case n=5 is studied in detail, along with the previously studied cases n=3,4.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv1999

Boundary Conditions on Internal Three-Body Wave Functions

For a three-body system, a quantum wave function $Ψ^\ell_m$ with definite $\ell$ and $m$ quantum numbers may be expressed in terms of an internal wave function $χ^\ell_k$ which is a function of three internal coordinates. This article provides necessary and sufficient constraints on $χ^\ell_k$ to ensure that the external wave function $Ψ^\ell_m$ is analytic. These constraints effectively amount to boundary conditions on $χ^\ell_k$ and its derivatives at the boundary of the internal space. Such conditions find similarities in the (planar) two-body problem where the wave function (to lowest order) has the form $r^{|m|}$ at the origin. We expect the boundary conditions to prove useful for constructing singularity free three-body basis sets for the case of nonvanishing angular momentum.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv1998

The rovibrational kinetic energy for complexes of rigid molecules

The rovibrational kinetic energy for an arbitrary number of rigid molecules is computed. The result has the same general form as the kinetic energy in the molecular rovibrational Hamiltonian, although certain quantities are augmented to account for the rotational energy of the monomers. No specific choices of internal coordinates or body frame are made in order to accommodate the large variety of such conventions. However, special attention is paid to how key quantities transform when these conventions are changed. An example system is explicitly analysed as an illustration of the formalism.

physics.atm-clus↗