Topological Considerations in Quantum Theory

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Journal Title, Volume, Page: 
II Nuovo Cimento B Series 11, Volume 107, Issue 1, pp 23-37
Year of Publication: 
1992
Authors: 
S. M. Al-Jaber
Department of Physics and Molecular Science Program, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 62901, Carbondale, IL, USA
Current Affiliation: 
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
W. C. Henneberger
Department of Physics and Molecular Science Program, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 62901, Carbondale, IL, USA
Preferred Abstract (Original): 

We consider the most general case of the restricted rigid rotor, controlled by passive mechanical devices located at θ=0 and θ=π. The purpose of these devices is to restrict the particle motion to a domain of a covering space (0,Mπ), whereM is an odd integer. This system, which is not a Hamiltonian one on the physical space (0, 2π), is compared with a Hamiltonian system having delta function barriers at θ=0 and θ=π. The case ofM an even integer is also discussed by using only one mechanical device at θ=0. This non-Hamiltonian system is compared with a Hamiltonian system having a delta function barrier at θ=0. It is shown that many of the wave functions of the non-Hamiltonian systems are the same as those of the Hamiltonian ones, with an average reflection coefficient of 1/(M+1) for oddM and 2/M for evenM, which are the classical values. We show how, in the case of very largeM, the superposition principle leads to de Broglie resonances.