The theory of local degeneracy

The concept of a locally degenerate Hamiltonian is defined. It is shown that such a Hamiltonian is, with respect to a particular quantum number, degenerate in a single level only. Some examples of single‐particle systems suggested by a study of the stereographic projection are examined, a comparison being made with the Kepler problem. It is found, in these examples, that the degenerate level lies at the limiting value of the potential energy at large distances and the condition for the existence and the properties of these states are deduced. It is also shown that for such states certain operators may have eigenfunctions in common with the Hamiltonian and for this reason they are called local constants of the motion. Like ordinary constants of the motion, they help to simplify the eigenvalue problem and, in particular, the singular inverse square law potential is studied by this approach. Finally, the application of the results to resonance scattering (by bound states near the continuum) and to the calculation of the number of bound states is indicated.