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Canonical formalism for Lagrangians with nonlocality of finite extent

Journal Article · · Physical Review A
I consider Lagrangians which depend nonlocally in time but in such a way that there is no mixing between times differing by more than some finite value {Delta}t. By considering these systems as the limits of ever higher derivative theories, I obtain a canonical formalism in which the coordinates are the dynamical variable from t to t+{Delta}t. A simple formula for the conjugate momenta is derived in the same way. This formalism makes apparent the virulent instability of this entire class of nonlocal Lagrangians. As an example, the formalism is applied to a nonlocal analog of the harmonic oscillator.
Sponsoring Organization:
(US)
OSTI ID:
40206006
Journal Information:
Physical Review A, Journal Name: Physical Review A Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 62; ISSN 1050-2947
Publisher:
The American Physical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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