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JOURNALS // Uspekhi Fizicheskikh Nauk // Archive

UFN, 1980 Volume 132, Number 3, Pages 497–548 (Mi ufn9232)

This article is cited in 140 papers

REVIEWS OF TOPICAL PROBLEMS

Feynman path integrals in a phase space

F. A. Berezin


Abstract: Feynman path integrals in a phase space are analyzed in detail. The analysis is based on the theory of operator symbols, in contrast with the traditional approach based on the direct use of canonical commutation relations. Particular attention is paid to the Weyl and Wick symbols, which are the most important in applications. The set of paths on which the integral is concentrated is studied. It is found that these paths are always discontinuous. This discontinuity is responsible for errors in certain papers on path integrals in a phase space. The most important properties of the Weyl and Wick symbols are reviewed.

UDC: 530.145

PACS: 03.65.Fd

DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0132.198011d.0497


 English version:
Physics–Uspekhi, 1980, 23:11, 763–788


© Steklov Math. Inst. of RAS, 2024