
We present a generally covariant approach to quantum mechanics in which generalized positions, momenta and time variables are treated as coordinates on a fundamental "phase-spacetime." We show that this covariant starting point makes quantization into a purely geometric flatness condition. This makes quantum mechanics purely geometric, and possibly even topological. Our approach is especially useful for time-dependent problems and systems subject to ambiguities in choices of clock or observer. As a byproduct, we give a derivation and generalization of the Wigner functions of standard quantum mechanics.
7 pages, 1 figure, LaTeX, references added, journal version
High Energy Physics - Theory, Mathematics - Differential Geometry, Quantum Physics, Physics, QC1-999, FOS: Physical sciences, General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc), Mathematical Physics (math-ph), General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology, Applications of differential geometry to physics, High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th), Differential Geometry (math.DG), FOS: Mathematics, Contact manifolds (general theory), Differential geometric methods, including holonomy, Berry and Hannay phases, Aharonov-Bohm effect, etc. in quantum theory, Quantum Physics (quant-ph), Mathematical Physics
High Energy Physics - Theory, Mathematics - Differential Geometry, Quantum Physics, Physics, QC1-999, FOS: Physical sciences, General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc), Mathematical Physics (math-ph), General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology, Applications of differential geometry to physics, High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th), Differential Geometry (math.DG), FOS: Mathematics, Contact manifolds (general theory), Differential geometric methods, including holonomy, Berry and Hannay phases, Aharonov-Bohm effect, etc. in quantum theory, Quantum Physics (quant-ph), Mathematical Physics
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