Semiclassical Analysis of Wigner 3j-symbol

V. Aquilanti, H. M. Haggard, R. G. Littlejohn and L. Yu

Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical 40 (5637), 2007.

We analyze the asymptotics of the Wigner 3j-symbol as a matrix element connecting eigenfunctions of a pair of integrable systems, obtained by lifting the problem of the addition of angular momenta into the space of Schwinger's oscillators. A novel element is the appearance of compact Lagrangian manifolds that are not tori, due to the fact that the observables defining the quantum states are noncommuting. These manifolds can be quantized by generalized Bohr- Sommerfeld rules and yield all the correct quantum numbers. The geometry of the classical angular momentum vectors emerges in a clear manner. Efficient methods for computing amplitude determinants in terms of Poisson brackets are developed and illustrated.

DOI: 10.1088/1751-8113/40/21/013

Full text: AqHaLiYuJPA3jSymbol.pdf