Combinatorial approach to Feynman path integration

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, , Citation R E Crandall 1993 J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 26 3627 DOI 10.1088/0305-4470/26/14/024

0305-4470/26/14/3627

Abstract

Combinatorial relations can be used to convert the non-relativistic time-sliced Feynman path integral into perturbation expansions. These methods reveal that when the time interval is sliced into N increments, each order of perturbation theory sustains an error O(1/ square root N). In this way the author provides exact path integral results for the following potentials: delta-function comb, finite well, tunnelling barrier, and a generalized exponential cusp. For the tunnelling barrier it is seen how the celebrated (-1) reflection factor arises in the limit of infinite barrier height. The one-dimensional Coulomb problem is solved as a limiting case of the exponential cusp. In addition, for power potentials the author indicates how this path integral approach yields sometimes divergent, nevertheless asymptotic perturbation expansions.

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10.1088/0305-4470/26/14/024