Self-adjoint Momentum Operator for a Particle Confined in a Multi-Dimensional Cavity

Abstract

Based on the recent construction of a self-adjoint momentum operator for a particle confined in a one-dimensional interval, we extend the construction to arbitrarily shaped regions in any number of dimensions. Different components of the momentum vector do not commute with each other unless very special conditions are met. As such, momentum measurements should be considered one direction at a time. We also extend other results, such as the Ehrenfest theorem and the interpretation of the Heisenberg uncertainty relation to higher dimensions.