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Thesis . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Thesis . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Thesis . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Path integral formulation of quantum mechanics

Authors: Dey, Arpan;

Path integral formulation of quantum mechanics

Abstract

In this article, we present a rigorous introduction to Feynman’s path integral formulation of quantum mechanics. We start by outlining the motivation behind the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics. Then we build the mathematics required for defining the sum-over-paths and derive the free particle propagator, as well as the propagator for a particle with a non-zero potential energy, with particular focus on linear and quadratic potential energies. We use these results to arrive at some standard results in quantum physics using path integrals: namely Planck-Einstein equation, de-Broglie equation and Schrödinger equation. This helps us appreciate the equivalence between the path integral and the canonical formulation, as well as understand the difference in the approaches employed by the two formulations to arrive at the results. We also use Python to generate plots of the free particle wave function and propagator as functions of position and time, and explore the conceptual difference between the wave function in canonical quantum mechanics and the propagator used in the path integral formulation. We also introduce the basic idea behind perturbation theory, by using the free particle propagator to study a particle that moves between two potential-free points in spacetime, but via intermediate points with non-zero potentials, in one of the appendices. In the end, we discuss path integrals in a broad perspective, and make some general comments on the future of theoretical physics.

Keywords

path integrals, theoretical physics, wave function, quantum mechanics, propagator, free particle

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
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Average
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