Hamiltonian formulation of a class of constrained fourth-order differential equations in the Ostrogradsky framework
OPEN ACCESS
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2018-12-19
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
OPEN ACCESS
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
We consider a class of Lagrangians that depend not only on some configurational variables and their first time derivatives, but also on second time derivatives, thereby leading to fourth-order evolution equations. The proposed higher-order Lagrangians are obtained by expressing the variables of standard Lagrangians in terms of more basic variables and their time derivatives. The Hamiltonian formulation of the proposed class of models is obtained by means of the Ostrogradsky formalism. The structure of the Hamiltonians for this particular class of models is such that constraints can be introduced in a natural way for eliminating expected instabilities of the fourth-order evolution equations. Moreover, canonical quantization of the constrained equations can be achieved by means of Dirac's approach to generalized Hamiltonian dynamics.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
2 (12)
Pages / Article No.
125006
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Classical mechanics; Classical field theory; Hamiltonian formulation of fourth-order equations; Stability; Constraints; Ostrogradsky formalism; Higher derivative theories
Organisational unit
03359 - Oettinger, Christian (emeritus) / Oettinger, Christian (emeritus)