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The path integral formulation is a description in quantum mechanics that generalizes the stationary action principle of classical mechanics.It replaces the classical notion of a single, unique classical trajectory for a system with a sum, or functional integral, over an infinity of quantum-mechanically possible trajectories to compute a quantum amplitude.
The Feynman–Kac formula says that this expectation is equivalent to the integral of a solution to a diffusion equation. Specifically, under the conditions that , where w(x, 0) = δ(x) and. The Feynman–Kac formula can also be interpreted as a method for evaluating functional integrals of a certain form. If where the integral is taken over ...
In mathematics, a line integral is an integral where the function to be integrated is evaluated along a curve. [1] The terms path integral, curve integral, and curvilinear integral are also used; contour integral is used as well, although that is typically reserved for line integrals in the complex plane. The function to be integrated may be a ...
In the mathematical field of complex analysis, contour integration is a method of evaluating certain integrals along paths in the complex plane. [1][2][3] Contour integration is closely related to the calculus of residues, [4] a method of complex analysis. One use for contour integrals is the evaluation of integrals along the real line that are ...
This expression actually defines the manner in which the path integrals are to be taken. The coefficient in front is needed to ensure that the expression has the correct dimensions, but it has no actual relevance in any physical application. This recovers the path integral formulation from Schrödinger's equation.
Action (physics) In physics, action is a scalar quantity that describes how the balance of kinetic versus potential energy of a physical system changes with trajectory. Action is significant because it is an input to the principle of stationary action, an approach to classical mechanics that is simpler for multiple objects. [1]
The path integral approach falls in line with this basic premise and its afforded results are unvaryingly statistical averages. The path integral, when applied to the study of polymers, is essentially a mathematical mechanism to describe, count and statistically weigh all possible spatial configuration a polymer can conform to under well ...
Path integral may refer to: Line integral, the integral of a function along a curve. Contour integral, the integral of a complex function along a curve used in complex analysis. Functional integration, the integral of a functional over a space of curves. Path integral formulation, Richard Feynman's formulation of quantum mechanics using ...