Functional integral representations of partition function without limiting procedure. Techniques of calculation of moments

Abstract

A definition of the Feynman path integral which does not rest on a limiting procedure based on time-slicing has been given by DeWitt-Morette. We present in this paper a discussion of real Gaussian measures and formulate expressions for the quantum statistical partition function directly in terms of measures of integration on the topological vector space ø₀ of continuous functions defined on the time intervalT = (t _a ,t _b ), such thatx(t _a ,t _b )=0 for allx ɛ ø₀. We give a definition of a measure for the space ø₀ equivalent to the path integral based on the Uhlenbeck-Ornstein probability distribution. We give expressions for the partition function using the Wiener-Feynman measure and the Uhlenbeck-Ornstein measure. As an exercise in the use of the new techniques, we present calculations of moments of potential functions. The techniques will enable one to solve in a rigorous manner practical problems in quantum statistical mechanics.