Year: 2025
Type: reference-entry
Abstract: Wigner functions are a distribution function on phase space that allow to represent the state of a quantum-mechanical system. They are in many ways similar to classical phase space probability distributions, but can, in contrast to these, be negative. A description of a quantum system in terms of Wigner functions is equivalent to the more widely used one in terms of density operators or wave functions, but has advantages in visualizing properties of a quantum state and in studying the quantum–classical transition.
Source: Encyclopedia
Author: Michael te Vrugt
Institution: Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,207
Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
OpenAlex ID: W4413129710