Liouville's Theorem

Phase space volume is conserved under Hamiltonian flow — the ensemble of trajectories moves like an incompressible fluid. Works for harmonic oscillator, anharmonic oscillator, and pendulum.

Oscillator

Area: —
Liouville's Theorem

∂ρ/∂t + {ρ,H} = 0

{·,·} = Poisson bracket. Phase space density ρ is conserved along trajectories.

Consequence: cannot focus a beam in phase space beyond its initial density (basis of Liouville's theorem in optics and beam physics).