On the numerical evaluation of real-time path integrals: Double exponential integration and the Maslov correction

Abstract

Ooura's double exponential integration formula for Fourier transforms is applied to the oscillatory integrals occuring in the path-integral description of real-time Quantum Mechanics. Due to an inherent, implicit regularization multi-dimensional Gauss-Fresnel integrals are obtained numerically with high precision but modest number of function calls. In addition, the Maslov correction for the harmonic oscillator is evaluated numerically with an increasing number of time slices in the path integral thereby clearly demonstrating that the real-time propagator acquires an additional phase $-\pi /2$ each time the particle passes through a focal point. However, in the vicinity of these singularities an overall small damping factor is required. Prospects of evaluating scattering amplitudes of finite-range potentials by direct numerical evaluation of a real-time path integral are discussed.

arXiv comment21 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, LATEX with amsmath,amssymb

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• Path Integrals for Potential Scattering
• Schwinger-Keldysh path integral for the quantum harmonic oscillator
• Experimental Mathematics and Mathematical Physics
• Generalized Fresnel integrals as oscillatory integrals with positive real power phase functions and applications to asymptotic expansions
• Scaling in SU(3) theory with a MCRG improved lattice action
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Cited by in corpus (1)

• On the Importance of Well-Defined Thermal Correlation Functions in Simulating Vibronic Spectra