Quantum Mechanics in Phase Space: II. Coherent States

Abstract

We present a review of the coherent state calculation for a compact Lie group G as a way to stablish a phase space and a Hamiltonian dynamics (in the semiclassical limit) for a quantum system with the symmetry of G. The properties of these states are investigated in the general case as well as in the traditional examples of the harmonic oscillator and angular momentum. This material was part of the first summer mini-course on theoretical physics at the Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo.