Algebraic aspects of the Wigner distribution in quantum mechanics

Abstract

The algebraic structure underlying the method of the Wigner distribution in quantum mechanics and the Weyl correspondence between classical and quantum dynamical variables is analysed. The basic idea is to treat the operators acting on a Hilbert space as forming a second Hilbert space, and to make use of certain linear operators on them. The Wigner distribution is also related to the diagonal coherent state representation of quantum optics by this method.