Semiclassical mechanics

Classical mechanics and the quantum conditions of Planck, Bohr, Sommerfeld, Wilson and Einstein are presented. The virtues and defects of this "old quantum theory" arc pointed out. Its replacement by quantum mechanics is described, leading to the Schrodinger equation for the wave function and the corresponding energy eigenvalues. For separable systems, the reduction of this equation to ordinary differential equations and their asymptotic solution by the WKB method arc described, as well as the resulting corrected quantum conditions with integer or half-integer quantum numbers. For nonseparable systems, the analogous asymptotic solution constructed by the author is described, together with the corrected quantum conditions to which it leads. Examples of the use of these conditions in the solution of eigenvalue problems arc presented. It is explained that difficulties arise in using this method when the classical motion is stochastic or chaotic. Suggestions for overcoming these difficulties arc mentioned.