A quantum mechanical example for Hodge theory

Abstract

On the basis of (i) the discrete and continuous symmetries (and corresponding conserved charges), (ii) the ensuing algebraic structures of the symmetry operators and conserved charges, and (iii) a few basic concepts behind the subject of differential geometry, we show that the celebrated Friedberg-Lee-Pang-Ren (FLPR) quantum mechanical model (describing the motion of a single non-relativistic particle of unit mass under the influence of a general spatial 2D rotationally invariant potential) provides a tractable physical example for the Hodge theory within the framework of Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) formalism where the symmetry operators and conserved charges lead to the physical realizations of the de Rham cohomological operators of differential geometry at the algebraic level. We concisely mention the Hodge decomposition theorem in the quantum Hilbert space of states and choose the harmonic states as the real physical states of our theory. We discuss the physicality criteria w.r.t. the conserved and nilpotent versions of the (anti-)BRST and (anti-)co-BRST charges and the physical consequences that ensue from them.