Does a functional integral really need a Lagrangian?

preprint2010arXivOpen access

Abstract

Path integral formulation of quantum mechanics (and also other equivalent formulations) depends on a Lagrangian and/or Hamiltonian function that is chosen to describe the underlying classical system. The arbitrariness presented in this choice leads to a phenomenon called Quantization ambiguity. For example both L1=q˙2L_1=\dot{q}^2 and $L_2=e^\dot{q}$ are suitable Lagrangians on a classical level (δL1=0=δL2δL_1=0=δL_2), but quantum mechanically they are diverse. This paper presents a simple rearrangement of the path integral to a surface functional integral. It is shown that the surface functional integral formulation gives transition probability amplitude which is free of any Lagrangian/Hamiltonian and requires just the underlying classical equations of motion. A simple example examining the functionality of the proposed method is considered.

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