Algebraic discretization of time-independent Hamiltonian systems using a Lie-group/algebra approach

Abstract: In this paper, time-independent Hamiltonian systems are investigated via a Lie-group/algebra formalism. The (unknown) solution linked with the Hamiltonian is considered to be a Lie-group transformation of the initial data, where the group parameter acts as the time. The time-evolution generator (i.e. the Lie algebra associated to the group transformation) is constructed at an algebraic level, hence avoiding discretization of the time-derivatives for the discrete case. This formalism makes it possible to investigate the continuous and discrete versions of time for time-independent Hamiltonian systems and no additional information on the system is required (besides the Hamiltonian itself and the initial conditions of the solution). When the time-independent Hamiltonian system is integrable in the sense of Liouville, one can use the action-angle coordinates to straighten the time-evolution generator and construct an exact scheme (i.e. a scheme without errors). In addition, a method to analyse the errors of approximative/numerical schemes is provided. These considerations are applied to well-known examples associated with the one-dimensional harmonic oscillator.