Time-Dependent Conformal Transformations and the Propagator for Quadratic Systems

Abstract

The method proposed by Inomata and his collaborators allows us to transform a damped Caldirola–Kanai oscillator with a time-dependent frequency to one with a constant frequency and no friction by redefining the time variable, obtained by solving an Ermakov–Milne–Pinney equation. Their mapping “Eisenhart–Duval” lifts as a conformal transformation between two appropriate Bargmann spaces. The quantum propagator is calculated also by bringing the quadratic system to free form by another time-dependent Bargmann-conformal transformation, which generalizes the one introduced before by Niederer and is related to the mapping proposed by Arnold. Our approach allows us to extend the Maslov phase correction to an arbitrary time-dependent frequency. The method is illustrated by the Mathieu profile.