Quantum mechanics with difference operators

A formulation of quantum mechanics with additive and multiplicative (q-) difference operators instead of differential operators is studied from first principles. Borel-quantisation on smooth configuration spaces is used as guiding quantisation method. After a short discussion this method is translated step-by-step to a framework based on difference operators. To restrict the resulting plethora of possible quantisations additional assumptions motivated by simplicity and plausibility are required. Multiplicative difference operators and the corresponding q-Borel kinematics are given on the circle and its N-point discretisation; the connection to q-deformations of the Witt algebra is discussed. For a “natural” choice of the q-kinematics a corresponding q-difference evolution equation is obtained. This study shows general difficulties for a generalisation of a physical theory from a known one to a “new” framework.