Geometrization of the Schrödinger equation: Application of the Maupertuis Principle to quantum mechanics

Abstract

In its geometric form, the Maupertuis Principle states that the movement of a classical particle in an external potential V(x) can be understood as a free movement in a curved space with the metric gμν(x) = 2M[V(x) - E]δμν. We extend this principle to the quantum regime by showing that the wavefunction of the particle is governed by a Schrödinger equation of a free particle moving through curved space. The kinetic operator is the Weyl-invariant Laplace–Beltrami operator. On the basis of this observation, we calculate the semiclassical expansion of the particle density.