Normal Order: Combinatorial Graphs

The general normal ordering problem for boson strings is a combinatorial problem. In this note we restrict ourselves to single-mode boson monomials. This problem leads to elegant generalisations of well-known combinatorial numbers, such as Bell and Stirling numbers. We explicitly give the generating functions for some classes of these numbers. Finally we show that a graphical representation of these combinatorial numbers leads to sets of model field theories, for which the gr...

We consider the numbers arising in the problem of normal ordering of expressions in canonical boson creation and annihilation operators. We treat a general form of a boson string which is shown to be associated with generalizations of Stirling and Bell numbers. The recurrence relations and closed-form expressions (Dobiski-type formulas) are obtained for these quantities by both algebraic and combinatorial methods. By extensive use of methods of combinatorial analysis we prove...

Although symmetry methods and analysis are a necessary ingredient in every physicist's toolkit, rather less use has been made of combinatorial methods. One exception is in the realm of Statistical Physics, where the calculation of the partition function, for example, is essentially a combinatorial problem. In this talk we shall show that one approach is via the normal ordering of the second quantized operators appearing in the partition function. This in turn leads to a combi...

In a series of papers, P. Blasiak et al. developed a wide-ranging generalization of Bell numbers (and of Stirling numbers of the second kind) that appears to be relevant to the so-called Boson normal ordering problem. They provided a recurrence and, more recently, also offered a (fairly complex) combinatorial interpretation of these numbers. We show that by restricting the numbers somewhat (but still widely generalizing Bell and Stirling numbers), one can supply a much more n...

We present a combinatorial method of constructing solutions to the normal ordering of boson operators. Generalizations of standard combinatorial notions - the Stirling and Bell numbers, Bell polynomials and Dobinski relations - lead to calculational tools which allow to find explicitly normally ordered forms for a large class of operator functions.

We discuss a general combinatorial framework for operator ordering problems by applying it to the normal ordering of the powers and exponential of the boson number operator. The solution of the problem is given in terms of Bell and Stirling numbers enumerating partitions of a set. This framework reveals several inherent relations between ordering problems and combinatorial objects, and displays the analytical background to Wick's theorem. The methodology can be straightforwar...

We address a systematic combinatorial approach to the anti-normal ordering problem. In this way, we use the Stirling numbers and their generating function, the so-called Bell polynomials, together with the operational methods to anti-normal the operator ${e^{\lambda {a^\dag}a}}$. In fact, we exploit the new theorem given by Sh\"ahandeh et al. in a special case of anti-normal ordering.

We provide the solution to the normal ordering problem for powers and exponentials of two classes of operators. The first one consists of boson strings and more generally homogeneous polynomials, while the second one treats operators linear in one of the creation or annihilation operators. Both solutions generalize Bell and Stirling numbers arising in the number operator case. We use the advanced combinatorial analysis to provide closed form expressions, generating functions,...

We derive explicit formulas for the normal ordering of powers of arbitrary monomials of boson operators. These formulas lead to generalisations of conventional Bell and Stirling numbers and to appropriate generalisations of the Dobinski relations. These new combinatorial numbers are shown to be coherent state matrix elements of powers of the monomials in question. It is further demonstrated that such Bell-type numbers, when considered as power moments, give rise to positive m...

We solve the boson normal ordering problem for F[(a*)^r a^s], with r,s positive integers, where a* and a are boson creation and annihilation operators satisfying [a,a*]=1. That is, we provide exact and explicit expressions for the normal form wherein all a's are to the right. The solution involves integer sequences of numbers which are generalizations of the conventional Bell and Stirling numbers whose values they assume for r=s=1. A comprehensive theory of such generalized c...