From Translation to Linear and Linear Canonical Transformations ()
1. Introduction
Linear canonical transforms (LCTs), probably first studied by Moshinsky and Quesne in 1971 [1], are the transformations in a 2N-dimensional phase space which leave invariant the Hamiltonian and the Poisson brackets of coordinates and momenta. Their studies permit to calculate the unitary representations of each of these transformations, realizing by a parametrized operator
where
,
,
, then calculate the transform by S of a wavefunction into a new one. Afterward there are the works of Stern [2], Wolf [3], etc. The method utilized in [1] [3] for studying LCTs is based on the methods of symplectic group and the “2 + 1” Lorentz group which are not very well-known by many readers. This work, following a recent work [4] on the role of the Fourier transform, which is a special case of LCTs, in quantum mechanics, proposes another approach for studying LCTs based on the fundamental law of operator calculus [5] saying that any relation between a said dual couple of operators
, i.e., operators such that
, is valuable also for any other dual couple. With this law, from the translation operator
which transforms x into
we arrive to get the dilatation operator
which transforms
into
then a LCT which transforms the dual couple
into the dual couple
if
,
,
. We obtain also that products of three operators of the forms
form different types of LCTs. To get the transforms of functions by integration as so as by differentiation we firstly search for a method for obtaining the Gaussian transforms of Dirac delta and unity functions. This may be done departing from the common definition of the Fourier transform. By this method we arrive to find again known results on different kinds of LCTs such as Fast Fourier, Fourier, Laplace, Xin Ma and Rhodes, Baker-Campbell-Haussdorf, Bargman transforms. Details of reasoning and calculations in this work are presented in the following paragraphs. Section 2 exposed the method of operator calculus. Section 3 illustrated the special case of generalized translations. Section 4 discussed the LCTs in 2N-phase spaces formed by products of three Gaussian operators. Section 5 devoted to the research of a method leaned on the Fourier transform for calculating the LCT transforms of functions. Section 6 presented the way we calculate the transforms of functions by integrations. Section 7 exposed some cases of LCTs. Section 8 showed how to calculate the LCT transforms of functions by differentiations.
2. Method of Operator Calculus
2.1. The Fundamental Law
In a one-dimensional space of functions, consider the derivative operator
(1)
and the Eckaert operator
which consists in “multiply by the variable x” [6]
(2)
we get the identity
(3)
by applying both members of it on any derivable function
, I being the unitary operator.
More generally, let A and B be two operators constructed from
and
respecting the following condition that we will be called duality in this work
(4)
From (4) we deduce that
(5)
(6)
so that let
(7)
be an entire function and
its derivative function then because
(8)
we get from (5) the identity in Operator Calculus [5]
(9)
which shows the way that
transforms B if
formed a dual couple.
We remark that as the identity (9) applies for any couple of dual operators then consequently from one known relation between a dual couple of operators
we may deduce another relation simply by replacing
with another dual couple. We dare say that this affirmation is a fundamental law in operator calculus because it gives us a powerful tool in mathematics and quantum mechanics as we may see in this work.
2.2. The Simplest Transforms of Operators
From (9) we deduce the identities
•
(10)
which means that the operator
transforms or more precisely translates the operator B into
.
For curiosity we remark that the translation operator may be obtained from and at the same time leads to the Newton’s binomial formula
(11)
The formula (10) may be generalized by replacing the dual couple
with the dual couple
for example
and so all.
•
(12)
Association of (10), (12) generate the very interesting formula
•
(13)
Identity (13) was proven by Stone-von Neumann in 1930’s utilizing the Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff formula as we can find easily on the net. From (13) we see that within a scalar factor the operator
permute with the operator
and that the exponential of creation and annihilation operators in quantum mechanics may each be disentangled into two simple operators
•
(14)
3. Operators Realizing Linear Transforms in Phase Spaces
3.1. In one Dimensional Space
Joint (11) with the evident identity
we may write down the important properties of the linear transforms
and
under matrix forms where an element of the phase space is presented by
the matrix
instead of the vector
as in [1]
•
i.e.
(15)
•
(16)
Moreover, because of the fact
(17)
we get miraculously from (10)
(18)
and, if the couple
is a dual couple as is
, the remarkable identity
•
(19)
Afterward, by substituting in (19) the dual couple
with another dual couple
(20)
we arrive to get the very interesting realization of the dilatation by a hyperdifferential operator written under the proposed matrix form
•
i.e.
(21)
Combining (15) and (16) we may write down the matrix formula for products of exponential operators
•
(22)
Equivalently, with
,
,
,
(23)
(24)
The formula (24) means that in a phase space within a multiplicative constant λ the hyperdifferential operator
(25)
realizes the linear transformation of a dual couple of operators
into the dual couple
.
Hereinlater we will extend the theorem (25) for 2N-dimensional phases spaces.
3.2. In a Two-Dimensional Phase Space
In the case where the operator A is a set of two operators
and B of two operators
we may write for examples
(26)
(27)
(28)
(29)
(30)
3.3. In a 2N-Dimensional Phase Space
With bold letters
designed Nx1 column matrices,
a
matrix and tilde sign the transposition of a matrix, we have from the operational relations (15), (16), (21) the following formulae
•
(31)
•
(32)
•
(33)
where for simplicity we suppose that
is a
symmetric matrix, i.e.,
.
3.4. Case Study of Linear Transformations Deriving from Translations
Let us define the duality of a couple of operators
in a multidimensional space by the identity
(34)
As
(35)
we may affirm that if
,
,
(36)
then
i.e., that
is a dual couple as being
.
In this case we may write, according to the fundamental property of operator calculus saying that any identity between a dual couple of operators is valuable for any other dual couple,
•
i.e.,
(37)
• In the cases where the set
does not verify the condition
we introduce the matrix
(38)
which leads if
to
(39)
and see that the set
verifies the said condition.
We can then write, in accordance with (36), (37)
(40)
(41)
It is easy to verify that in (41) we indeed have the relation
.
As example consider the case
•
,
,
(42)
We have according to (41)
so that
(43)
In the circumstance that
•
(44)
we may replace (39) with
(45)
and see that (43) becomes
(46a)
We have to remark that if
then (43) and (46a) are all valuable. This, we think, may explain the difference between parameters in the integral representation of LCTs of Wolf [3] versus that of de Bruijn [7].
Formula (46a) shows that
realizes the Fractional Fourier transform.
We find again also the result of Wolf [8] showing that
realizes the Fourier transformation.
Another example is
•
,
(46b)
The second solution according to (46a) is
(46c)
and is found to correspond to the multimode squeeze operators of Xin Ma and Rhodes [8] who work with the dual couple
that as we have seen may be generalized for any other dual couple.
4. General Linear Transforms of Operators in Phase Spaces
Apart from the operators realizing one category of linear transforms in phase space developed in (41) we have also the followings.
4.1. The General Cases
In the 2N-dimensional phase space scanned by
or
we have from the formulae (31), (32), (33)
•
(47a)
with
•
(47b)
•
(47c)
4.2. Study Case on One Type of Linear Transforms of Operators in Phase Space
The identity (44) and the relation (45) lead to the conclusion “In a 2N-dimensional phase space
or
, within a scalar factor
, the hyperdifferential operator
(48)
with
(49)
realizes the linear transformation of
into
” (50)
Thanks to the following formula coming from (49)
we get
(51)
and see that the inverse of
is
(52)
It is foreseen that there are equivalent theorems concerning other forms of transforms shown in (47a), (47b).
5. Roles of Fourier and Gauss Transforms in LCTs
As we shall see the Gauss transforms are related to the Fourier transformation as discussed hereafter.
5.1. Useful Properties of the Fourier Transform
Let us adopt the convention that the Fourier transform of a function, if it exists, in one dimensional space has the definition
(53)
with this choice we obtain the properties
(54)
(55)
(56)
and conclude that FT transforms the operator
into the operator
and vice-versa
into
(57)
(58)
According to (15), (16) we see that the operator
(59)
has these properties as shown hereinafter
so that we may write
(60)
(61)
Remarking now that because
(62)
(63)
we get
(64)
(65)
so that
(66)
Combination of (64) with the property
(67)
gives the relation
In this work we adopt the choice
(68)
although the other choice is equally valuable as seemingly affirmed Moshinsky and Quesne [1].
On the other hand, by comparing (61) with (68)
(69)
we get finally the waited value of
(70)
with this choice we get the hyperdifferential realization of the Fourier transformation
(71)
The above formula together with the formula
(72)
was obtained by Wolf by another method [9].
It is interesting to note that the Fourier transform of itself is itself
so that it has another hyperdifferential realization
(73)
From the formula (54) we may calculate the
of the unity function as followed
(74)
5.2. The Gaussian Transformation in One-Dimensional Space
From the equation
(75)
and the properties (57), (58) of the Fourier transformation we get
(76)
Similarly
(77)
so that
(78)
Now, because
we obtain that
(79)
(80)
Concerning Gaussians with imaginary parameter a we utilize the definition formula of
and get
(81)
(82)
Joining (80) and (82) we get the Gaussian transform of the corresponding Gaussian function
(83)
and inversely of the Dirac delta function
(84)
5.3. Gaussian Transforms in 2N-Dimensional Phase Space
In this case we have
(85)
and, according to the generalization of (84) for the dual couple
, the formula
(86)
In purpose to calculate
let us propose that there exists a function
such that
(87)
Under this hypothesis we have
(88)
so that for a matrix
diagonalizable into the diagonal matrix
(89)
we have the relation
(90)
which leads to
(91)
But between
and
the only relation is
(92)
so that we can take for
real
(93)
and get from (86) and the property
the generalization
•
(94)
From (94) we deduce that
•
(95)
•
(96)
5.4. Gaussian Transforms of Functions
Consider the differential equation of Hermite polynomials
(97)
Thank to (10) we may write
and get
(98)
On the other hand, from the factorizations of a linear operator in
(99)
we get the Rodrigues formula for Hermite polynomials
(100)
which leads to the formula
(101)
From (101) we see that the Gaussian transform of an entire function
may be put under the symbolic form
(102)
where
is replaced with
.
6. Integral Realization of Linear and Linear Canonical Transforms
Consider the hyperdifferential operator realizing a linear transformation in a 2N-phase space
or, by (49)
(103)
Remarking that in the case
,
is reduced to
so that in the following we suppose that
.
We may write
(104)
But thanks to (95)
(105)
so that
(106)
From the relations coming from (49)
we may also write
(107)
From (103) we see that
•
(108)
In one-dimensional space the formula (108) is identical with the formula on the integral representation of a canonical transform given by Wolf [3] in his work “A Top-Down Account of Linear Canonical Transforms” as so as with that of Stern [2].
Resuming the results, we may state that:
Principal Theorem on LCT: The linear canonical transformation represented by the hyperdifferential operator
(109)
transforms operators as followed
into
, i.e.,
into
and transforms functions according to the integral formula
(110)
or, equivalently, according to a Gaussian function multiplied with a Gaussian transform of a Fourier transform
(111)
7. Examples of Canonical Transforms
7.1. The Fractional Fourier Transform
Consider the case
(112)
Thank to (49)
we see that this case corresponds to
The Fractional Fourier transformation
(113)
which transforms
into
(114)
and canonically transforms
into
(115)
It is seen that the special case
corresponds to the Fourier transformation.
7.2. The Laplace Transformation LT
We know that in a Laplace transformation
is transformed into
is transformed into
(116)
so that in the space of homogeneous derivable functions we have
,
(117)
and see that the Laplace transformation is realized by
times the operator
(118)
which transforms
into
and canonically
into
(119)
8. Obtaining Canonical Transforms of Functions
For calculating the transform of a function by the operator
we write
(120)
and see that we must calculate firstly that of the unity function
(121)
and afterward utilize the formulae coming from (14)
(122)
8.1. Obtaining
Concerning the transform
•
(123)
we get immediately according to (21)
(124)
As for
•
(125)
we utilize the formulae (92), (94) as so as (49) to get
if
(126)
if
(127)
8.2. Obtaining
by Gaussian Transforms
According to (120) and (49) we have
•
and, by (93)
(128)
• In the case where
and
we have the formula
(129)
For example
• For the dual couple
(130)
we get from (32)
(131)
and from (129)
(132)
(133)
The formulae (129), (130) are the Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff and Bargman formulae that we can find in [9].
8.3. Obtaining
by Differentiation
According to (120) and (49) we have
so that by (126), (127)
● For
and
(134)
● For
and
(135)
The Fourier transform corresponds to this case.
9. Remarks and Conclusions
Firstly, we think that this work is interesting by its simplicity because no knowledge of Lie groups’ method is necessary. Is necessary only the use of couples of dual operators
obeying
such as
,
,
,
, etc. together with the fundamental law affirming that any relation between two dual operators is applicable to any other dual couple. Secondly from the Newtonian formula for a binomial
we get immediately the translation operator
then, thanks to the said fundamental law, the dilatation operator
, is not yet well-known until now. Always from the fundamental law, we get then the precious operator
which transforms the dual couple
into
where
is easily calculable from
. Thirdly, by taking the products of three operators having the forms
,
,
we obtain other operators realizing linear and linear canonical transforms. From these we may calculate the linear transforms and LCTs of operators and of functions by an integral as so as by Gaussian transformation. From the formula representing the said integral realization we get a clear relation between linear and linear canonical transforms. Many examples of LCTs are given for showing the simplicity of the method.
We are conscientious that the approach for studying LCTs in this work is too simple with respect to the work of Wolf [3]. Nevertheless, we think that it may be a useful initiation to the subject. Closing this work on LCTs we predict as Quesne [1] that a similar study on nonlinear canonical transforms is conceivable if we utilize couples of dual operators
of order higher than two such as
, etc.
We hope that in the future we may study the properties of LCTs and NLCTs and their applications in quantum mechanics, signal processing, optics and mechanics, etc., following the present work, for comparison in simplicity with those given by Bastiaans, Alieva [10] and Ranaivosonetal. [11] etc. utilizing group methods.
Acknowledgments
The author acknowledges Prof. Quesne C. for assisting him in deepening in quantum mechanics fifty years ago at ULB and Prof. Wolf K.B. for sending him from Mexico the book “Integral transforms in Science and Engineering” in 1979 from which he later may apply hyper differential calculus in studying powers sums, Bernoulli polynomials, Fourier transforms in quantum mechanics as so as on LCTs now, etc. By the way, he acknowledges Prof. Yurish Sergey Y. for valorizing his works on laws of optics by Fourier transform. Finally, he dedicates this work to his wife Truong K.Q. for taking care of him day after day all his researcher lifelong.