Vector Coherent States and Non-Abelian Gauge Structures in Quantum Mechanics

We set the general formalism for calculating Berry's phase in quantum systems with Hamiltonian belonging to the algebra of a semisimple Lie group of any rank in the framework of generalized coherent states. Within this approach the geometric properties of Berry's connection are also studied, both in the Abelian and non-Abelian cases. In particular we call attention to the non-Abelian case where we make use of a vectorial generalization of coherent states. In this respect a thorough and self-contained exposition of the formalism of vector coherent states is given. The specific examples of the groups SU(3) and Sp(2) are worked out in detail.