Deriving the Lagrangian from the Hamiltonian operator

In summary, the Lagrangian is derived from the Hamiltonian operator by using the Legendre transformation to convert the Hamiltonian into a function of the generalized coordinates and their conjugate momenta. This allows for the formulation of the equations of motion for a system in terms of the Lagrangian, which is a more useful and intuitive representation. The Lagrangian also takes into account the constraints and symmetries of the system, making it a more comprehensive and powerful tool in classical mechanics.
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In classical mechanics, the Hamiltonian and the Lagrangian are Legendre transforms of each other. By analogy, in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, the relationship between the Hamiltonian and the Lagrangian seems to be preserved. Where can I find a derivation of the Lagrangian operator as the Legendre transform of the Hamiltonian operator in quantum mechanics? Or a similar derivation for the Lagrangian density and Hamiltonian density in quantum field theory via the Legendre transform?
 
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Figured it out. No need to respond.
 
  • #3
This article and the references cited in can address some of your questions :
https://arxiv.org/abs/0806.1147

Did you find some other interesting resources ? Please share.
 
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  • #4
Thanks for the reply. I was already familiar with that article. Good resource, but incomplete; fails to mention the supernum/infinium aspect of the Legendre transform. Better: https://www.andrew.cmu.edu/course/33-765/pdf/Legendre.pdf

I figured out the question on my own.

One interesting note:

Given:

## \mathcal{L}(\vec{v},\vec{q},t)=\sup \left[ \langle \vec{p},\vec{v} \rangle - \textbf{H}(\vec{p},\vec{q},t)\right]##
##=\sup \left[ \vec{p}\cdot \vec{v} -\left( \frac{\vec{p}^2}{2 m}+ V\right)\right]##
##=\sup \left[ m\vec{v}\cdot\vec{v} -\left( \frac{m^2\vec{v}^2}{2 m}+ V\right)\right]##
## =\sup \left[ m\vec{v}^2 -\left( \frac{m\vec{v}^2}{2}+ V\right)\right]##
## =\sup \left[ \frac{m\vec{v}^2}{2}- V\right]##
And:
## \mathcal{S}=\int_{t_1}^{t_n} \mathcal{L}(\vec{v},\vec{q},t)dt##

Question: Why is the action ##\mathcal{S}## minimized (and not maximized), given that ##\textbf{H}(\vec{p},\vec{q},t)## is a convex function and therefore ##\mathcal{L}(\vec{v},\vec{q},t)## is a supernum (not an infimum)?
 
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Related to Deriving the Lagrangian from the Hamiltonian operator

1. What is the Hamiltonian operator and why is it important in deriving the Lagrangian?

The Hamiltonian operator is a mathematical operator used in quantum mechanics to describe the total energy of a system. It is important in deriving the Lagrangian because the Lagrangian is defined as the difference between the kinetic and potential energy of a system, both of which are included in the Hamiltonian.

2. What is the relationship between the Hamiltonian and Lagrangian in classical mechanics?

In classical mechanics, the Hamiltonian and Lagrangian are equivalent descriptions of a system. The Hamiltonian is defined as the sum of the kinetic and potential energy, while the Lagrangian is defined as their difference. In other words, the Hamiltonian and Lagrangian represent different ways of looking at the same physical system.

3. How is the Hamiltonian operator related to the Schrödinger equation?

In quantum mechanics, the time-dependent Schrödinger equation governs the evolution of a quantum system. The Hamiltonian operator appears in the Schrödinger equation as the operator acting on the wave function of the system. This allows us to determine the energy levels and dynamics of the system.

4. What is the role of the Lagrangian in the principle of least action?

The principle of least action states that a physical system will follow the path that minimizes the action, which is defined as the integral of the Lagrangian over time. Therefore, the Lagrangian plays a central role in determining the behavior and motion of a system according to this principle.

5. Can the Lagrangian be derived from the Hamiltonian for all physical systems?

While the Hamiltonian and Lagrangian are equivalent descriptions in classical mechanics, this is not always the case in quantum mechanics. In certain cases, it is not possible to derive the Lagrangian from the Hamiltonian, and other methods must be used to describe the system. Therefore, the derivation of the Lagrangian from the Hamiltonian is not applicable to all physical systems.

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