10.4: Generating Functions in Different Variables
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This F(q,Q,t) is only one example of a generating function—in discussing Liouville’s theorem later, we’ll find it convenient to have a generating function expressed in the q 's and P 's. We get that generating function, often labeled Φ(q,P,t), from F(q,Q,t) by a Legendre transformation:
dΦ(q,P,t)=d(F+∑PiQi)=∑pidqi+∑QidPi+(H′−H)dt
Then, for this new generating function
pi=∂Φ(q,P,t)∂qi,Qi=∂Φ(q,P,t)∂Pi,H′=H+∂Φ(q,P,t)∂t
Evidently, we can similarly use the Legendre transform to find generating functions depending on the other possible mixes of old and new variables: p,Q, and p,P.
What’s the Point of These Canonical Transformations?
It will become evident with a few examples: it is often possible to transform to a set of variables where the equations of motion are a lot simpler, and, for some variables, trivial. The canonical approach also gives a neat proof of Liouville’s theorem, which we’ll look at shortly.