Wigner distribution function for finite systems

We construct a Wigner distribution function for finite data sets. It is bas ed on a finite optical system; a linear wave guide where the finite number of discrete sensors is equal to the number of modes which the guide can car ry. The dynamical group for this model is SU(2) and the wave functions are sets of N = 2l +1 data points. The Wigner distribution function assigns cla ssical c-numbers to the operators of position, momentum, and wave guide mod e. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S0022-2488(98)00312-0].