Quantum adiabatic approximation, quantum action, and Berry's phase

Abstract

An alternative interpretation of the quantum adiabatic approximation is presented. This interpretation is based on the ideas originally advocated by Bohm in his quest for establishing a hidden variable alternative to quantum mechanics. It indicates that the validity of the quantum adiabatic approximation is a sufficient condition for the separability of the quantum action function in the time variable. The implications of this interpretation for Berry's adiabatic phase and its semi-classical limit are also discussed.