Physics 751 & 752: Quantum Mechanics I & II: Russell Bloomer

Physics 751 & 752: Quantum Mechanics I & II
Russell Bloomer
1
University of Virginia
Note: There is no guarantee that these are correct, and they should not be copied
1
email: rbloomer@virginia.edu
Contents
1 751: Problem Set 1 1
1.1 Problem 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 Problem 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Problem 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.4 Problem 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.5 Problem 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.1 Problem 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Problem 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3 Problem 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.4 Problem 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.5 Problem 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1 7.3.1 Principles of Quantum Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.1 Problem 1: Sakurai 5.13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.2 Problem 2: Sakurai 5.15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.3 Problem 3: Sakurai 5.28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.4 Problem 4: Sakurai 5.29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4.5 Problem 5: Sakurai 5.30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
5.1 Problem 1: Shankar 18.2.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
5.2 Problem 2: Shankar 18.2.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
5.3 Problem 3: Shankar 18.2.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
5.4 Problem 4: Shankar 18.2.5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
5.5 Problem 5: Shankar 18.2.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
i
5.6 Problem 6: Shankar 18.4.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
6.1 Problem 1: Sakuari 5.35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
6.2 Problem 2: Sakuari 5.40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
6.3 Problem 3: Shankar 18.5.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
6.4 Problem 4: Shankar 18.5.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
6.5 Problem 5: Shankar 19.3.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
6.6 Problem 6: Shankar 19.3.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
A 511: Problem Set 5 43
A.1 Merzbacher Exercise 10.9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
A.2 Merzbacher Problem 10.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
A.3 Merzbacher Problem 14.6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
B Special Harmonics 49
B.1 Legendre Polynomials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
B.2 Associated Legendre Polynomials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
B.3 Spherical Harmonics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
ii
Chapter 1
751: Problem Set 1
1.1 Problem 1
a
What is the rate an electron orbits a hydrogen atom in its circular Bohr orbit with n = 30?
In Bohrs Model the electron has angular momentum of L = n, where n is the rst quantum number. The ki-
netic energy of an orbiting electron is
1
2
mv
2
=
1
8o
e
2
r
(1.1)
The combination of the two equations and solve for r
1
2
mv
2
=
1
2
m
_
n
mr
_
2
=
1
8o
e
2
r
rn =
4o
2
me
2
n
2
Lets dene
ao =
4o
2
me
2
Look back to the denition of angular momentum, the orbital frequency can be found by dividing by mr
2
. Then
f =
v
r
=
n
mr
2

ma
2
o
n
3
Entering the correct values for the constants
f = 1.53 10
12
1
s
b
What is the frequency of a photon emitted from the transition from n = 30 to n = 29?
The energy level for state n is
En =
me
4
32
2
2
o
2
1
n
2
(1.2)
The transition is then is E, so the frequency is
=
E
h

me
4
64
3
2
o
3
_
1
n
2
29
1
n
2
30
_
1
Inserting the proper constants
=
(9.109x10
31
)(1.602x10
19
)
4
64
3
(8.85x10
12
)
2
(1.0546x10
34
)
3
_
1
(29)
2

1
(30)
2
_
= 2.56x10
11
Hz
c
Comment on the answers from (a) and (b).
The two values are dierent. The value for part b classically should be the dierence the rate at which the electron
orbits the nucleus between n = 30 and n = 29. The dierence is do to the electron does not actually orbit the nucleus.
1.2 Problem 2
Does the inverse-square repulsion hold true if the s hit the gold nucleus? Find an approximate size of the nucleus
and the minimum energy to show deviation.
No, it would not hold true. The amount of energy to hit the nucleus by the inverse-square repulsion is innite.
The approximate size of the nucleus is
R = 1.2A
1/3
10
15
m (1.3)
The size of the gold nucleus is then R = 6.98 fm. The path of closest approach is
1
K =
zZe
2
4op
(1.4)
where K is the kinetic energy and p is the point of closest approach. The distance would be the nucleus radius.
K =
2(79)
_
1.602 10
19
_
2
4 (8.85 10
12
) (6.98 10
15
)
= 32.6 MeV
1.3 Problem 3
a
For a nucleus of charge Ze, what is the the n = 1 orbit compared to the electron orbit.
From equation 13.3.14
2
, the orbit of the electron in the Hydrogen is
r = n
2

2
me
2
(1.5)
To modify this for an electron in an atom with charge Ze is
re = n
2

2
mZe
2

2
mZe
2
For the muon, the electron mass has to be replaced by the reduced mass of the muon and the nucleus. For larger
nucleus, the reduce mass is approximately the mass of the reduce mass. In general though,
r = n
2
2
(207m+M)
207mMZe
2

2
(207m+M)
207mMZe
2
So r/re
r
re
=
2
(207m+M)
207mMZe
2
2
mZe
2
=
(207m+M)
207

1
Williams. Nuclear and Particle Physics
2
Shankar Principles of Quantum Mechanics
2
b
What is the frequency of a photon emitted for the muon transition from n = 2 to n = 1
The transition is dened as
E = E2 E1 = 2
The energy is dened as
En =
Z
2
e
4
3
2
2
2
o
2
1
n
2
where is the reduced mass. For the transition
=
E2 E1
64
3
2
o
3
=
Z
2
e
4
64
3
2
o
3
_
1
1
2

1
2
2
_
=
3Z
2
e
4
256
3
2
o
3
=
3Z
2
e
4
256
3
2
o
3
_
207mM
207m+M
_
c
What is the frequency of the photon in the transition n = 2 to n = 1 for a gold atom?
Using the result from the previous problem
=
3Z
2
e
4
256
3
2
o
3
_
207mM
207m+M
_
= 3.19 10
21
Hz
1.4 Problem 4
What is the uncertainty in the measurement of the height of a helium atom at rest above the table?
The helium atom is at rest on the table. If the atom is at rest the momentum is at 0. This means that the
uncertainty in the momentum measurement is 0. The Uncertainty Principle states that
xp

2
(1.6)
From this, the uncertainty in the measurement in the position is innite. If the helium is not known to be at rest,
then the position measurement can be more certain.
1.5 Problem 5
How long would the Bohr atom last if it obeyed classical physics?
Classically the velocity of a particle is
v =
2mK
where K is the kinetic energy. For the electron in the Bohr orbit, the kinetic energy is
K =
1
8o
e
2
r
The distance an object travels in a circular orbit is
d = 2r
The the period of the rotation is
1
16
3
omr
3
e
3
The Bohr atom has allowed orbits of
rn =
4o
2
me
2
n
2
The classical period would be
1
n
=
32
3
2
o
3
n
3
me
4
In the time of one period, the electron will decay out of orbit, so the time for the n = 1 orbit is
1
=
4
_
8.85 10
12
_
3
_
6.626 10
34
_
3
1
(9.109 10
31
) (1.602 10
19
)
2
= 4.52 10
16
s
4
Chapter 2
751: Problem Set 2
2.1 Problem 1
a
Dene the derivative of the delta function by
(x) = lim 0
d
dx
1
(4
2
)
1/2
e
x
2
/4
2
(2.1)
Sketch this function for small . See Attached Sheet What is the value of <
(x a)[(x) >
The value for <
(x a)[(x) > is
_

(x a)(x)dx = (x a)(x)
(x a)
(x)dx
by integration by parts. The value of at innity is zero by the boundary conditions, so
_

(x a)(x)dx =
_

(x a)
(x)dx
=
(a)
b
What function has the delta function for its derivative? Explain
The step function, which steps up, has the delta function as its derivative. The step function has the property
that every where but one value has slope of 0. The one value is discontinuous at that point the derivative value there
is then innite.
2.2 Problem 2
On the interval (-1,1) the polynomials 1, x, x
2
, x
3
, . . . construct the rst four orthonormal basis of these polynomials.
First the interproduct is
< f(x)[g(x) >=
_
1
1
f(x)g(x)dx (2.2)
For this problem (and next) the following convention will be used: ui is the i
th
basis, i is the i
th
orthogonal basis,
and i is the i
th
orthonormal basis.
5
In Gram-Schmidt u1 1, 1 = u1 = 1. Now to normalize this base
< 1[1 >=
_
1
1
dx = x[
1
1
= 2 = a1
The orthonormal base is then
1 =
1
a1
= c
The second basis is u2 = x. Now compare to 1
< u2[1 >=
_
1
1
xdx = x
2
[
1
1
= 0
Then u2 = 2. Normalizing
< 2[2 >=
_
1
1
x
2
dx =
x
3
3
[
1
1
=
2
3
= a1
Then
2 =
2
_
2/3
=
x
_
2/3
=
_
3
2
x
The third base is u3 = x
2
. Now to create linear independence
< u3[1 >=
_
1
1
x
2
2
dx =
x
3
3
2
[
1
1
=
2
3
= b1
< u3[2 >=
_
1
1
_
3
2
x
3
dx =
_
3
2
x
4
4
[
1
1
= 0
Then 3 = u3 b11. Normalizing
< 3[3 > =
_
1
1
_
x
2
1
3
_
2
dx =
_
x
5
5

2x
3
9
+
x
9
_
[
1
1
=
8
45
= a1
Then
3 =
3
a1
=
x
2
1
3
_
8
45
=
_
5
2
1
2
_
3x
2
1
_
The fourth base is u4 = x
3
. Forming linear independent base
< u4[1 > =
_
1
1
x
3
2
dx =
x
4
4
2
[
1
1
= 0
< u4[2 > =
_
1
1
_
3
2
x
5
dx =
_
3
2
x
4
5
[
1
1
=
2
5
_
3
2
= b2
< u4[3 > =
_
1
1
_
5
2
1
2
_
3x
5
x
3
_
dx
=
_
5
2
1
2
_
3/6x
6
1/4x
4
_
[
1
1
= 0
So the base is 4 = u4 b22 = x
3
3
5
x. Normalizing
< 4[4 > =
_
1
1
_
x
3
3
5
x
_
2
dx
=
_
x
7
7

6x
5
25
+
9x
3
75
_
[
1
1
=
8
175
= a1
6
So
4 =
4
a1
=
x
3
3
5
x
_
8
175
=
_
7
2
1
2
_
5x
3
3x
_
The rst four basis are
1 =
1
2
(2.3)
2 =
_
3
2
x (2.4)
3 =
1
2
_
3x
2
1
_
(2.5)
4 =
_
7
2
1
2
_
5x
3
3x
_
(2.6)
2.3 Problem 3
Suppose the inner product for real functions is dened as
< f[g >=
_

f(x)g(x)e
x
2
dx (2.7)
For the polynomials 1, x, x
2
, x
3
, . . ., nd the rst four orthonormal basis
Again u1 1. Normalizing
< 1[1 >=
_

e
x
2
dx =
_
pi = a1
Then
1 =
1
=
1
1/4
The second base is u2 = x. Forming linear independent base
< u2[1 >=
_

1/4
e
x
2
dx = 0
So the orthogonal base is psi2 = u2 = x. Normalizing
< 2[2 >=
_

x
2
e
x
2
dx =
pi
2
= a1
Then
2 =
2
a1
=
1/4
x =
2x
2
1/4
The third base is u3 = x
2
. Forming a linear independent base
< u3[1 > =
_

x
2
1/4
e
x
2
dx =

1/4
2
= b1
< u3[2 > =
_

2x
3
2
1/4
e
x
2
dx = 0
Then psi3 = u3 b11 = x
2
1
2
. Normalizing
< 3[3 >=
_

_
x
2
1
2
_
2
e
x
2
dx =
2
pi
4
= a1
7
Then
3 =
3
a1
=
x
2 1
2
_
2
4
=
2
1/4
2
_
x
2
1
2
_
=
1
1/4
8
_
4x
2
2
_
The fourth base is u4 = x
3
. Forming a linear independent base
< u4[1 > =
_

x
3
1/4
e
x
2
dx = 0
< u4[2 > =
_

2x
4
2
1/4
e
x
2
dx =
3
1/4
2
2
= b2
< u4[3 > =
_

1/4
12
_
4x
5
2x
3
_
e
x
2
dx = 0
The orthogonal base is 4 = u4 b22 = x
3
3
2
x. Normalizing
< 4[4 >=
_

_
x
3
3
2
x
_
2
e
x
2
dx =
3
pi
4
= a1
Then
4 =
4
a1
=
x
3
3
2
x
_
3
pi
4
=
1
1/4
3
_
2x
3
3x
_
=
1
1/4
12
_
2x
3
3x
_
The four basis are
1 =
1
1/4
(2.8)
2 =
1/4
x =
2x
1/4
2
(2.9)
3 =
1
1/4
8
_
4x
2
2
_
(2.10)
4 =
1
1/4
12
_
2x
3
3x
_
(2.11)
2.4 Problem 4
Solve the time-independent Schrodinger equation in one dimension for an attractive potential V (x) = (x) for a
bound state. Can there be more than one bound state? Explain.
The time-independent Schrodinger equation is

2
2m
d
2
dx
2
(x) = E (2.12)
For a state to be bound E < 0. First consider the region for x < 0. By the denition of the delta function V (x) = 0.
The Schrodinger equation reduces to
d
2
dx
2
=
2mE
2

This can be simplied by
2mE
2
. The solution is then
(x) = Ae
x
+Be
x
8
The wave equation must behave properly, so A = 0, because at x = blows up. Now when x > 0 needs to be
considered. Again, V (x) = 0. The Schrodinger equation is again
d
2
dx
2
=
2mE
2

So the wave equations is then
(x) = Ce
x
+De
x
For the wave equation to behave properly, D = 0, because at x = it blows up. The wave equation must be
continuous, but because of the potential is innite, the rst derivative will be discontinuous at that point. To be
continuous B = C. Now integrate Schrodinger equation a small distance, , from 0
2
2m
d
2
dx
2
dx
_

(x)(x)dx =
_

E(x)dx
The term on the right integrates to 0, when 0 and the rst term is just the derivative of the wave function about
0. In the middle term, apply the limit to nd.
_
d
dx
_
=
2m
2
(0)
Because the derivative is discontinuous, it must be approached from both sides. On the left,
d
dx
= B and from the
right
d
dx
= B. Now as the limit approaches 0, the left is subtracted from the right to yield
_
d
dx
_
= B =
2m
2
B
Then the energy is
E =
2
2m

m
2
2
2
Lastly, normalizing the wave function.
_

[(x)[
2
dx = 1 2[B[
2
_

0
=
[B[
2
= 1
The wave equation is then
(x) =
e
m|x|
2
(2.13)
The allowed energy is again
E =
m
2
2
2
(2.14)
No, there is only one bound state. There is nothing that can be changed that does not changed the problem,
such as the quantum number n.
2.5 Problem 5
For a one-dimensional general time-dependent solution of the Schrodinger equation, prove:
a
d
dt
_

[(x, t)[
2
dx = 0 (2.15)
How would the result change if the limits were nite? Can you write an equation for this case?
9
So taking the derivative inside the integral
d
dt
_

[(x, t)[
2
dx =
_

t
[(x, t)[
2
dx
the partial time derivative is
t
[[
2
=

x
i
2m
_
x
_
Then
d
dt
_

[(x, t)[
2
dx =
i
2m
_
x
_
[
Because the functions must vanish at innity to behave properly the integral is 0.
d
dt
_

[(x, t)[
2
dx = 0
The value would not be 0, but some nite value, because the particle could leave the space between a and b. The
equation would look like
d
dt
_
b
a
[(x, t)[
2
dx =
i
2m
_
x
_
[
b
a
b
If < x >=
_
x[[
2
dx, show that
d
dt
< x >=

2m
The term on the left is
d
dt
< x > =
_
x

x
[[
2
dx
=
i
2m
_
x

x
_
x

_
dx
=
i
2m
_

x
_
x

_
dx
x
_
x

_
[
Because the wave function must vanish at [x[ = , it reduces to

d
dt
< x > =
i
2m
_

x
_
x

_
dx
=
i
m
_

x
dx
This is just < v >, which is < v >=

m
, ie
d
dt
< x >=
i
m
_

x
dx =

m

c
Prove
d
dt
=
_
dV
dx
_
(2.16)
Start by writing out
d
dt

d
dt
= i
_ _
x
+
t
_
dx
10
Integrating by parts
d
dt
 =

2
2m
_ _
x
2

2
x
2
x
_
+
_ _
V
(V )
x
_
dx
The rst term vanishes because the function vanishes at 0. This reduces to
d
dt
=
_

V
x
dx
Finally
d
dt
=
_
dV
dx
_
11
12
Chapter 3
751: Problem Set 6
3.1 7.3.1 Principles of Quantum Mechanics
Find the recursion relationship for 7.3.8
Equation 7.3.8
+ (2 y
2
) = 0 (3.1)
The power series to solve the dierential equation used will be
u(y) =
n=0
Cny
n
The second derivative of the power series is
d
2
u
dy
2
=
n=0
n(n 1)Cny
n2
n=2
n(n 1)Cny
n2
The base can be change to start at 0
d
2
u
dy
2
=
n=0
(n + 2)(n + 1)Cn+2y
n
The last term is
y
2
u(y) = y
2
n=0
Cny
n
n=0
Cny
n+2
Reducing the power to just n
y
2
u(y) =
n=2
Cn2y
n
The dierential becomes
n=0
(n + 2)(n + 1)Cn+2y
n
+
n=0
2Cny
n
n=2
Cn2y
n
The y-terms can be collected by the same power. Then
(n + 1)(n + 2)Cn+2 + 2Cn Cn2 = 0
Cn+2 =
Cn2 2Cn
(n + 1)(n + 2)
So C0 and C2 are arbitrary.
13
Verify that H3(y) and H4(y) obey the relation, Eq. (7.3.15)
Equation (7.3.15) states that
Cn+2 = Cn
(2n + 1 2)
(n + 2)(n + 1)
(3.2)
Lets consider H3(y) rst. In this case, n = 3, so
Cn+2 = Cn
(2n + 1 2)
(n + 2)(n + 1)
C5 = C3
(7 2)
(5)(4)
From Equation 7.3.18,
=
2n + 1
2
(3.3)
where this n comes from the polynomial number. From this, C5 = 0. Now nding C3 in terms of C1
C3 = C1
(3 2)
(3)(2)
= C1
(3 (2n + 1))
(3)(2)
= C1
2
3
The coecient C1 is the lowest, because there in no negative powers of y. So the recursion relationship becomes
u(y) = C1y +C3y
3
+C5y
5
+. . . = C1
_
y
2
3
y
3
+ 0
_
Because C1 is arbitrary, it can be dened as C1 = 12. With that denition
u(y) = C1
_
y
2
3
y
3
_
= 12
_
y
2
3
y
3
+ 0
_
= H3(y)
Now the case of H4(y). Again using equations 7.3.15 and 7.3.18 to nd
C6 = C4
9 2
(6)(5)
= 0
Now to nd C4 in terms of C2
C4 = C2
5 2
(4)(3)
= C2
1
3
Again nding C2 in terms of C0
C2 = C0
1 2
(2)(1)
= C0(4)
The recursion relationship becomes
u(y) = C0 +C2y
2
+C4y
4
+C6y
6
+. . .
= C0
_
1 4y
2
+
4
3
y
4
+ 0
_
Here C0 is arbitrary, so dene C0 = 12, then
u(y) = 12
_
1 4y
2
+
4
3
y
4
_
= H4(y)
See Attached Sheets
14
See Attached Sheets
Using the symmetry arguments from exercise 7.3.3, show that
n
_
=
big >= 0 and thus show that
X
2
_
= (X)
2
and
P
2
_
= (P)
2
in these states. Show that
X
2
1
_
= 3/2m and
P
2
1
_
= 3m/2. Show
that (x) saturates the uncertainty bound X P /2
For
n
_
, the coecients can be set to 1 for simplicity of the argument below.
n
_
=
_

n
(x)xn(x)dx
=
_
x
n
e
x/2
x
_
x
n
e
x
2
/2
_
dx
=
_
x
2n+1
e
x
2
dx
From exercise 7.3.3, odd powers of x lead to
_
= 0. For
n
_
, again, the coecients are set to 1.
n
_
=
_

n
(x)
d
dx
((x)) dx
=
_
x
n
e
x
2
/2
d
dx
_
x
n
e
x
2
/2
_
dx
=
_
x
n
e
x
2
/2
_
nx
n1
e
x
2
/2
x
n+1
e
x
2
/2
_
dx
=
_
_
nx
2n1
e
x
2
x
2n+1
e
x
2
_
dx
From exercise 7.3.3, odd powers of x are 0, so
_
= 0. So the (O)
2
is dened as (O)
2
=
O
2
_
O
_
2
. Now for
both X and P the
_
= 0, then (X)
2
=
X
2
_
and (P)
2
=
P
2
_
. These are dened as
(X)
2
=
_
m
2
2n
(n!)
2
_
1/2
_
x
2
_
Hn
_
_
m
_
1/2
x
__
2
e
mx
2
/
and
(P)
2
=
_
m
2
2n
(n!)
2
_
1/2
_

2
d
2
dx
2
_
Hn
_
_
m
_
1/2
x
__
2
e
mx
2
/
For
X
2
1
_
,
X
2
1
_
=
_
m
2
2
(1!)
2
_
1/2
_
x
2
_
2
_
m
_
1/2
x
_
2
e
mx
2
/
=
_
m
4
_
1/2
_
4
m
_
_
x
4
e
mx
2
/
=
_
m
4
_
1/2
_
4
m
_
3
1/2
4
_

m
_
5/4
=
3
2m
15
Now for
P
2
1
_
P
2
1
_
=
2
_
m
2
2
(1!)
2
_
1/2 _
4
_
m
__
_
x
d
2
dx
2
xe
mx
2
/
dx
=
2
_
m
2
2
(1!)
2
_
1/2 _
4
_
m
__
_
_
_

m
_
2
x
4
3

m
x
2
_
e
mx
2
/
dx
=
3
2
m
Finally for 0(x). First
X
2
0
_

0
X
2
0
_
=
_
m
_
1/2
_
x
2
e
mx
2
/
dx
=
_
m
_
1/2
2m
_

m
_
1/2
=

2m
Next
P
2
0
_

0
P
2
0
_
=
2
_
m
_
1/2
_
e
mx
2
/2
d
2
dx
2
e
mx
2
/2
dx
=
2
_
m
_
1/2
_ _
_
m
_
2
x
2
_
e
mx
2
/
dx
=
m
2
Finally X P
(X)
2
(P)
2
=

2m
m
2
=

2
4
Then
_
(X)
2
(P)
2
=

2
= X P
See Attached Sheets
Compute the matrix elements of X and P in the
n
_
basis compare with the results of 7.3.4
The matrix elements of X and P can be found from the raising and lowering matrices. These matrices can be
constructed from equations 7.4.26 and 7.4.27. Combining with equation 7.4.28 and 7.4.29, to nd the matrix elements.
From 7.4.26
n
_
= n
1/2
n,n1 (3.4)
The lowering matrix can be found then to be
a =
_
_
0 1
1/2
0 0 . . .
0 0 2
1/2
0
0 0 0 3
1/2
.
.
.
.
.
.
_
_
16
Now for the raising operator
a
=
_
_
0 0 0 . . .
1
1/2
0 0
0 2
1/2
0
0 0 3
1/2
.
.
.
.
.
.
_
_
Equation 7.4.28 denes X =
_

2m
_
1/2
(a +a
), then as a matrix
X =
_

2m
_
1/2
_
_
0 1
1/2
0 0 . . .
1
1/2
0 2
1/2
0
0 2
1/2
0 3
1/2
0 3
1/2
0
.
.
.
.
.
.
_
_
From 7.4.29, P = i
_
m
2
_
1/2
(a
a), then as a matrix

P = i
_
m
2
_
1/2
_
_
0 1
1/2
0 0 . . .
1
1/2
0 2
1/2
0
0 2
1/2
0 3
1/2
0 3
1/2
0
.
.
.
.
.
.
_
_
So
n
_
is then
_

2m
_
1/2
_
. . . n
. . .
_
0 1
1/2
0 0 . . .
1
1/2
0 2
1/2
0
0 2
1/2
0 3
1/2
0 3
1/2
0
.
.
.
.
.
.
_
_
_
_
.
.
.
n
.
.
.
_
_
=
_

2m
_
1/2 _
(n + 1)
1/2
,n+1
+n
1/2
,n1
_
Lastly for
n
_
_
m
2
_
1/2
_
. . . n
. . .
_
0 1
1/2
0 0 . . .
1
1/2
0 2
1/2
0
0 2
1/2
0 3
1/2
0 3
1/2
0
.
.
.
.
.
.
_
_
_
_
.
.
.
n
.
.
.
_
_
= i
_
m
2
_
1/2 _
(n + 1)
1/2
,n+1
n
1/2
,n1
_
This is identical to exercise 7.3.4
17
Find
X
_
,
P
_
,
X
2
_
,
P
2
_
, and X P in the state
n
_
The X and P operator are dened as the following, respectively.
X =
_

2m
_
1/2 _
a +a
_
P = i
_
m
2
_
1/2 _
a
a
_
So from this,
n
_
=
_

2m
_
1/2
(a +a
n
_
=
_

2m
_
1/2 _
n
_
+
n
_
_
=
_

2m
_
1/2
_
n
1/2
n 1
_
+
(n + 1)
1/2
n + 1
__
By orthogonality of the
n
_
,
n
_
=
_

2m
_
1/2
_
n
1/2
n,n1+
(n + 1)
1/2
n,n+1
_
= 0
Now, for the momentum operator
n
_
= i
_
m
2
_
1/2
(a
a)
n
_
= i
_
m
2
_
1/2 _
n
_
n
_
_
= i
_
m
2
_
1/2
_
(n + 1)
1/2
n + 1
_
n
1/2
n 1
__
By orthogonality of the
n
_
,
n
_
= i
_

2m
_
1/2 _
(n + 1)
1/2
n,n+1 +n
1/2
n,n1
_
= 0
Next, the square of the position operator
X
2
n
_
=

2m
n[
_
a +a
_
2
n
_
=

2m
n[
_
a
2
+aa
+a
a +
_
a
_
2
_
n
_
=

2m
_
n
1/2
(n 1)
1/2
n+1,n1 + (n + 1)n+1,n+1+
nn1,n1 +n
1/2
(n 1)
1/2
n1,n+1
_
=

2m
(0 +n + 1 +n + 0) =

m
(n + 1/2)
18
Next, the square of the momentum operator
P
2
n
_
=
m
2
n[
_
a
a
_
2
n
_
=
m
2
n[
_
a
2
aa
a +
_
a
_
2
_
n
_
=
m
2
_
n
1/2
(n 1)
1/2
n+1,n1
(n+1)n+1,n+1 nn1,n1 +n
1/2
(n 1)
1/2
n1,n+1
_
=
m
2
(0 n 1 n + 0) = m (n + 1/2)
By denition ()
2
=
2
_
(
_
)
2
where is some operator. Then (X)
2
=

m
(n + 1/2) 0, so X =
_

m
(n + 1/2). This can be repeated to so that P =
_
m (n + 1/2). Then
XP =
_

m
(n + 1/2)
_
m (n + 1/2) = (n + 1/2)
In classical mechanics, the viral theorem states that the average kinetic and potential energy, which is V (r) = ar
k
in
an orbit is related by
T = c(k)
V (3.5)
where c(k) depends only on k. Show that c(k) = k/2. Using the previous exercise to show that for the oscillator
T
_
=
U
_
(3.6)
To show the viral theorem is true, there is no frictional force. The other important detail is this is in a circular
orbit. In this case,
T =
1
2
F r
=
1
2
V r
=
1
2
rV r
Recalling that V = ar
k
T =
1
2
rV r
=
1
2
_
kar
k1
_
r
=
k
2
ar
k
=
k
2
V
Now, for the oscillator k = 2
T
_
=
U
_
_
P
2
2m
_
=
_
1
2
m
2
X
2
_
_
m (n + 1/2)
2m
_
=
_
1
2
m
2

m
(n + 1/2)
_
_
2
(n + 1/2)
_
=
_
2
(n + 1/2)
_
19
Show that
X
4
n
_
=
_

2m
_
2
[3 + 6n(n + 1)] (3.7)
First lets dene X
4
,
X
4
=
_

2m
_
4/2
_
a
4
+a
3
a
+a
2
a
a +a
2
a
+aa
a
2
+aa
aa
+
aa
a +aa
+a
a
3
+a
aaa
+a
aa
a+
a
aa
+a
aa +a
aa
+a
a +a
_
From the orthogonality, if there are not equal raising and lower operators, the expectation value would be 0. Then
X
4
n
_
=
_

2m
_
2
_
n
_
aaa
+aa
aa
+aa
a +a
aaa
+
a
aa
a +a
aa
_
n
_
Which reduces to
X
4
n
_
=
_

2m
_
2
_
(n + 1)(n + 2) + (n + 1)
2
+
n(n + 1) +n(n + 1) +n
2
+n(n 1)
_
=
_

2m
_
2
[3 + 6n(n + 1)]
At t = 0 a particle starts out in
(0)
_
= 1/2(
0
_
+
1
_
)
(1)
Find
(t)
_
The time dependent part of the harmonic oscillator is e
iEnt/
. For n = 0, E0 = /2, and for n = 1, E1 = 3/2
so
(t)
_
=
1
2
1/2
_
e
iE
0
t/
0
_
+e
E
1
t/
1
_
_
=
1
2
1/2
_
e
it/2
0
_
+e
3t/2
1
_
_
(2)
Find
X(0)
_
=
(0)
(0)
_
,
P(0)
_
,
X(t)
_
,
P(t)
_
20
For
X(0)
_
X(0)
_
=
(0)
(0)
_
=
1
2
1/2
_
0
_
_

2m
_
1/2
(a +a
)
1
2
1/2
_
0
_
+
1
__
=
_

8m
_
1/2
_
0
_
_
a +a
_
_
0
_
+
1
__
=
_

8m
_
1/2
_
0
0
_
+
0
_
+
1
_
+
1
_
+
0
_
+
0
_
+
1
_
+
1
__
=
_

8m
_
1/2
(0 + 0 + 1 + 0 + 0 + 1 + 0 + 0)
=
_

2m
_
1/2
Likewise for
P(0)
_
P(0)
_
=
(0)
(0)
_
=
1
2
1/2
_
0
_
i
_
m
8
_
1/2
(a
a)
1
2
1/2
_
0
_
+
1
__
= i
_
m
8
_
1/2
_
0
_
_
a
a
_
_
0
_
+
1
__
= i
_
m
8
_
1/2
_
0
_
+
0
_
1
_
+
1
_
0
_
+
0
_
1
_
+
1
__
= i
_
m
8
_
1/2
(0 + 0 + 1 + 0 + 0 1 + 0 + 0) = 0
Next for
X(t)
_
X(t)
_
=
(t)
(t)
_
=
1
2
1/2
_
e
it
+e
3it/2
_
_

2m
_
1/2
(a +a
)
1
2
1/2
_
0
_
e
it
+e
3it/2
1
_
_
=
_

8m
_
1/2
_
0
0
_
+
0
_
+
1
_
e
it
+
1
_
e
it
+
0
_
e
it
+
0
_
e
it
+
1
_
+
1
__
=
_

8m
_
1/2 _
e
it
+e
it
_
=
_

2m
_
1/2
cos t
21
Finally for
P(t)
_

P(t)
_
=
(t)
(t)
_
=
1
2
1/2
_
e
it
+e
3it/2
_
i
_
m
2
_
1/2
(a
a)
1
2
1/2
_
0
_
e
it
+e
3it/2
1
_
_
= i
_
m
8
_
1/2
_
0
_
+
0
_
1
_
e
it
+
1
_
e
it
0
_
e
it
+
0
_
e
it
1
_
+
1
__
= i
_
m
8
_
1/2 _
e
it
+e
it
_
=
_
m
2
_
1/2
sin t
(3)
Find

X(t)
_
and

P(t)
_
using Ehrenfests theorem and solve for
X(t)
_
and
P(t)
_
and compare to part 2
For

X(t)
_
,

X(t)
_
=
_
i
[X, H]
_
=
_
i
__
_
X,
P
2
2m
_
_
+
[X, V (x)]
_
_
=
_
i
4m
2
_
_
P[X, P]
_
+
[X, P]P
__
=
P(t)
_
m
For

P(t)
_

P(t)
_
=
_
i
[P, H]
_
=
_
i
__
_
P,
P
2
2m
_
_
+
[P, V (x)]
_
_
= i
dV
dx
_
= m
2
X(t)
_
For this to be true, the time dependent
X(t)
_
has to contain the momentum term. With that some initial value
needs to be chosen. In this case, t = 0. So
X(t)
_
=
X(t = 0)
_
cos t +
_
P(t = 0)
m
_
sin t
Likewise
P(t)
_
=
P(t = 0)
_
sin t m
2
X(t = 0)
_
cos t
Show that
a(t)
_
= e
it
a(0)
_
and that
(t)
_
= e
it
(0)
_
22
First lets dene how the operator a varies in time.
i
da
dt
= [a(t), H] = i(a(t)H Ha(t)) =
_
a(t)(a
(t)a(t) +
1
2
) (a
(t)a(t) +
1
2
)a(t)
_
=
_
a(t), a
(t)
_
a(t) = a(t)
Solving this dierential equation
i
da
dt
= a(t)
da
a(t)
= idt ln a(t) = it +C
ln a(t) = it +C a(t) = C
e
it
In this case, C
is an integration constant. So this initial condition is when a(t = 0) = a(0). Substituting that into
the previous equation to nd
a(t) = C
e
it
a(t) = a(0)e
it
Now the expectation value would be
a(t)
_
=
a(0)e
it
_
Because the operator is changing with time, the basis are constant, so
a(0)e
it
_
= e
it
a(0)
_
= e
it
a(0)
_
For the raising operator, the fact that a
is the adjoint to a can be used.

_
a(t) = a(0)e
it
_
(t) = a
(0)e
it
Here to the basis are constant with time
(t)
_
=
(0)e
it
_
= e
it
(0)
_
= e
it
(0)
_
23
24
Chapter 4
752: Problem Set 6
4.1 Problem 1: Sakurai 5.13
The Hamiltonian for the Stark eect is H =
p
2
2m
e
2
r
+ez, where the last term is a perturbation. Now the Hamiltonian
matrix is
H =
_
E
o
2s
+s[ez[s) s[ez[p)
p[ez[s) E
o
2p
+p[ez[p)
_
From parity and Wigner-Eckart Theorem s[z[s) = p[z[p) = 0. When considering relativistic eects, E
o
2s
+ = E
o
2p
.
For convenience E = E
o
2s
= E
o
2p
. Then
H =
_
E + s[ez[p)
p[ez[s) E
_
From the text, es[z[p) = ep[z[s) =
3eao. So the Hamiltonian becomes

H =
_
E +
3eao
3eao E
_
diag.
E +
3eao
3eao E
= 0 (E )
2
+ (E ) 3e
2
a
2
o
2
= 0
E =

2
+ 12e
2
a
2
o
2
2
= E +

2

2
+ 12e
2
a
2
o
2
2
The mean energy is E
= E +/2 with shifts of E =

1
2
2
+ 12e
2
a
2
o
2
. Now examining the shifts in energy for the
two cases of eao and eao.
The case of eao. Using the binomial expansion
E =

2
_
1 +
12
2
2
e
2
a
2
o
2
_
E =

2
_
1 +
6
2
e
2
a
2
o
2
_
So in leading order in , it is quadratic.
For the case eao
E =
12
2
eao
_
1 +

2
24e
2
a
2
o
2
_
E =
3eao
_
1 +

2
24e
2
a
2
o
2
_
So in leading order in , it is linear. As it has been shown in the text the unperturbed Hamiltonian are time invariant,
but the dipole term
[z[lm) = 0, so there is no time invariance for the dipole term from page 280.
Suppose an electron has an intrinsic electric dipole moment
el
, which is proportional to . This dipole causes a
small perturbative potential,
el
E. Discuss qualitatively how the energy levels of a Na atom would be altered
in the absence of any external electromagnetic eld. Are the energy shifts rst or second order? State which states
get mixed with each other. Obtain an expression for the energy shifts of the lowest level that is aected by the
25
perturbation.
In the absence of an external electromagnetic eld H = H
o
+V , where V =
el
E. The electric eld can be dened
as E = Eor. The potential becomes
el
E = Eo
el
r. The electric dipole can be changed to
el
= ek
_
4
3
,
where k is some constant. Then
E = ekEo
_
4
3
r = ekEo
_
4
3
[[[r[ cos
From spherical harmonics ekEo
_
4
3
[[[r[ cos = ekEoz. This is similar to the Stark eect. The correction will be
rst order, because z aects the states in rst order. The valence electron in Na is in the 3s state, so then the states are
[3, 0, 0), [3, 1, 0), [3, 2, 0), [3, 1, 1), [3, 2, 1), and [3, 2, 2). When the potential acts on these state, the selection rules
are m = 0 and l = 1. The states [3, 2, 2) are unaected. Now for the mixed states, 3, 2, 1[z[3, 1, 1) ,= 0, so
the states [3, 2, 1) and [3, 1, 1) are mixed together, and [3, 2, 1) and [3, 1, 1) are mixed together. Now for the state
m = 0 would be simple, but because the s-state can go to the p-state and the d-state can go down to the p-state, the
three have to be mixed together. The lowest state will be a m = 0 mixture. The matrix for m = 0 is
1
V = ekEo
_
_
320[z[320) 320[z[310) 320[z[300)
310[z[320) 310[z[310) 310[z[300)
300[z[320) 300[z[310) 300[z[300)
_
_
= ekEo
_
_
0 320[z[310) 0
310[z[320) 0 310[z[300)
0 300[z[310) 0
_
_
= ekEo
_
_
0 3
3ao 0
3
3ao 0 3
6ao
0 3
6ao 0
_
_
= 3
3aoekEo
_
_
0 1 0
1 0
2
0
2 0
_
_
Now diagonalizing the matrix
1 0
1
2
0
= 0
3
+ 3 = (
2
3) = 0 = 0,
3
The eigenvectors are the
= 0;
1
3
_
_
2
0
1
_
_
=
3;
1
6
_
_
1
2
_
_
=
3;
1
6
_
_
1
2
_
_
The energy shift of the lowest level, which is
1
6
_
[320) +
3[310) +
2[300)
_
is then
= 3
3aoekEo
3 = 9aoekEo
For hydrogen atom in its ground state is placed in an uniform electric eld
E =
_
0 t < 0
Eoe
t/
t > 0
(4.1)
Find the probability for the transitions 2p (each state) and 2s.
The perturbation becomes V = ex E = eEz. So looking at the transition to the 2p states with magnetic moments
of 1.
2, 1, [V [1, 0, 0) = k2, 1, 1[z[1, 0, 0) = 0
1
The integrals are found in Griths. Quantum. p 254
26
from parity and Wigner-Eckart Theorem. Because of this the probability of the transitions to [2, 1, 1) is 0. First
order time dependent theory for 2, 1, 0) state.
c
(1)
210
(t) =
i
_
t
0
e
i
21
t
2, 1, 0[V (t
)[1, 0, 0)dt
=
ieEo
2, 1, 0[z[1, 0, 0)
_
t
0
e
i
21
t
e
t
/
dt
=
ieEo
2, 1, 0[z[1, 0, 0)
1 e
i
21
tt/
1/ i21
So 21 = (E2 E1)/ = 3e
2
/8ao and t , then
[c
(1)
210
(t )[
2
=
e
2
E
2
o
2
/
2
+ (3e
2
/8ao)
2
2, 1, 0[z[1, 0, 0)
2
Now for the transition from the ground state to 2s state. This can be quick found by looking at 2, 0, 0[z[1, 0, 0).
Under parity an even state has to go to an odd state for this potential. Therefore the probability is 0.
For two spin 1/2 particle are in the following Hamiltonian t > 0 H =
4
2
S1 S2 and at t < 0 H = 0. The particles
are initial state [ +)
(a) Find the exact solution
First nding the product of S1 and S2.
S
1
S
2
= S
1x
S
2x
+ S
1y
S
2y
+ S
1z
S
2z
=

2
4
_
(|+| + |+|)
1
(|+| + |+|)
2
+ i
2
(|+| + |+|)
1
(|+| + |+|)
2
= (|++| ||)
1
(|++| ||)
2
_
2
4
_
| + + | + | + + | + | ++ | + | + + |
+ i
2
(| + + | | + + | | ++ | + | |)
+ | + ++ + | | + + | | + + | + | |
_
So the Hamiltonian becomes
H =
_
_
_
_
1 0 0 0
0 1 2 0
0 2 1 0
0 0 0 1
_
_
_
_
Only the center of the 2 2 matrix has to be diagonalized
1 2
2 1
= 0 (1 )
2
4 = 0 = 1, 3
For = 1 is the symmetric state
1
2
([ +) +[ +)). For = 3 is the anti-symmetric state
1
2
([ +) [ +)).
So in diagnonlized space the energy splitting becomes
[ + +), [ ),
1
2
([ +) +[ +))
3
1
2
([ +) [ +))
Because the Hamiltonian is time-independent the time evolution operator is U(t, to) = e
H(tto)
. Here to = 0.
Then the time evolution operator becomes U(t, 0)[ + ) =
1
2
U(t, 0) ([3) +[4)), where [1) = [ + +), [4) = [ ),
[3) =
1
2
([ +) +[ +)), and [4) =
1
2
([ +) [ +)). Now the nal state is
[f, t) = U(t, 0)[i, 0) =
1
2
e
Ht
([3) +[4)) =
1
2
_
e
it/
[3) +e
3it/
[4)
_
=
1
2
_
e
it/
+e
3it/
_
[ +) +
1
2
_
e
it/
e
3it/
_
[ +)
27
To nd the probability that the particle are in each of the nal possible states
[+ +[f, t)[
2
= 0
[[f, t)[
2
= 0
[+[f, t)[
2
=
1
4
_
2 +e
4it/
+e
4it/
_
=
1
2
(1 + cos (4t/))
[+[f, t)[
2
=
1
4
_
2 e
4it/
e
4it/
_
=
1
2
(1 cos (4t/))
(b) Solve using rst order time dependent perturbation theory.
For rst order time dependent perturbation theory,
c
(0)
n
= ni c
(1)
n
(t) =
i
_
t
0
dt
e
i
ni
t
Vni(t
)
So here H
o
= 0 and V =
4
2
S1 S2, and the initial state is [i) = [ +) and the nal state is [f) = [ +). From the
undiagonalized matrix V
fi
= 2, and the other two basis Vni = 0. Now
fi
=
E
f
E
i
= 0. So
c
(0)
i
= 1 c
(1)
f
=
i
_
t
0
dt
2 = 2it/
Then the probability for each state is
P([i)) = [c
(0)
i
[
2
= 1
P([f)) = [c
(1)
f
[
2
= 4
_
t
_
2
This holds true for
_
2t
_
2
1
t
1

t

For the two level system E1 < E2. There is a time dependent potential that connects the two levels as follows:
V11 = V22 = 0 V12 = e
it
V21 = e
it
(4.2)
and at t = 0, c1(0) = 1 and c2(0) = 0.
(a) Find [c1(t)[
2
and [c2(t)[
2
for t > 0 by exactly solving the coupled dierential equations
i c
k
=
2
n=1
V
kn
(t)e
i
kn
t
cn for n = 1, 2 (4.3)
The potential is
V =
_
0 e
it
e
it
0
_
and 21 =
E
2
E
1
. So
i c1 = e
it
e
i
21
t
c2; i c2 = e
it
e
i
21
t
c1
i c1 = c2i( 21)e
i(
21
)t
+e
i(
21
)t
c2
Then
i c1 = i( 21)
_
c2e
i(
21
)t
_
+

2
i
e
i(
21
)t
e
i(
21
)t
c1
c1 =
2
c1 +i( 21) c1 c1(t) = e
i(
21
)t/2
28
Then the dierential equation becomes

( 21)
2
4
+i( 21)

=
2
+i( 21)

( 21)
2
2

=
_
2

( 21)
2
4
_
= Asin
_
2
+
( 21)
2
4
t +Bcos
_
2
+
( 21)
2
4
t
For simplicity
_
2
+
( 21)
2
4
, so
c1(t) = e
i(
21
)t/2
[cos t +Bsin t]
c2(t) = e
i(
21
)t/2
Asin t
Then from the boundary conditions i c1
t=0
= 0 and i c2
t=0
= . From the second condition iA =
A =

i
and the rst condition now
i(
21
)
2
+B = 0 B =
i( 21)
2
. Therefore
c1(t) = e
i(
21
)t/2
_
cos t
i( 21)
2
sin t
_
c2(t) = e
i(
21
)t/2
_

i
sin t
_
So
[c2(t)[
2
=

2
2
sin
2
t [c2(t)[
2
=

2
/
2
2
/
2
+ ( 21)
2
/4
sin
2
__
2
+
( 21)
2
4
t
_

And
[c1(t)[
2
= cos
2
t +
( 21)
2
4
2
sin
2
t = 1
sin
2
t
2
_
( 21)
2
4
_
= 1
sin
2
t
2
_
2
+
( 21)
2
4

( 21)
2
4
_
= 1
sin
2
t
2
_
2
_
[c1(t)[
2
= 1 [c2(t)[
2
(b) Now use time dependent perturbation theory for small values of and look at two cases (i) very dierent from
21 and (ii) very close to 21
The lowest order term would be rst order term
c
(1)
2
=
i
_
t
0
e
i(
21
)t
dt
=
i
1
i( 21)
_
e
i(
21
)t
1
_
=

2
( 21)
sin
_
21
2
t
_
So the probability is
[c2(t)[
2
=
4
2
2
( 21)
2
sin
2
_
21
2
t
_
If is small and is very dierent from 21, the term
2
/
2
+ ( 21)
2
/4 becomes ( 21)
2
/4, so the real term
becomes
[c2(t)[
2
=

2
/
2
2
/
2
+ ( 21)
2
/4
sin
2
__
2
+
( 21)
2
4
t
_
4
2
2
( 21)
2
sin
2
_
21
2
t
_
So the [c
2real
(t)[
2
[c2pert(t)[
2
. So in the case /2 / is approximately true. In the second case of very close
to 21, perturbation theory starts to breakdown. The ratio of the two is
[c2pert(t)[
2
[c
2real
(t)[
2
=
4
2
2
(
21
)
2
sin
2
_
21
2
t
_
2
/
2
2
/
2
+(
21
)
2
/4
sin
2
_
_
2
+
(
21
)
2
4
t
_
29
30
Chapter 5
752: Problem Set 7
5.1 Problem 1: Shankar 18.2.2
A hydrogen atom is in the ground state at t = . An electric eld E(t) = (kc)e
t
2
/
2
is applied until t = .
Show that the probability that the atom ends up in any of the n = 2 states is, to rst order,
P(n = 2) =
_
ec
_
2
_
2
15
a
2
o
3
10
_
2
e
2
/2
(5.1)
where = (E
2lm
E100)/. Does the answer depend on whether or not we incorporate spin in the picture?
The perturbation is H
1
= ezce
t
2
/
2
. Using the selection rules for the z operator, which are l = 1 and m = 0,
the only state that the ground state can transition to is [210). Now for the transition
eE210|z|100 = eE
_
0
_
0
2
_
0
1
32a
3
o
sin cos
2
r
4
ao
e
3r/2ao
dddr
= eE
1
32a
3
o
(2)
_
2
3
_ _
4!
ao
_
2ao
3
_
5
_
= eE
2
15/2
ao
3
5
Now for the time dependent term
i
e
t
2
/
2
e
it
dt
=
i
2
e
2
/4
The transition coecient is
c
f
(t) =
i
2
e
2
/4
ec
2
15/2
ao
3
5
The transition probability is the coecient squared
|c
f
|
2
= P(n = 2) =
_
eE
_
2
2
15
a
2
o
3
10

2
e
2
/2
For a changing electric eld, there is an induced magnetic eld. This magnetic eld interacts with spin of the electron
which would be Hm = B
Consider a particle in the ground state of a box of length L. Argue on semiclassical grounds that the natural time
period associated with it is T mL
2
/. If the box expands symmetrically to double its size in time T what is
the probability of catching the particle in the ground state of the new box?
The time for a particle to move across the box can be found from the kinetic energy, E =
1
2
mv
2
. Then
E =

2
2
2mL
2
=
1
2
mv
2
v =

mL
31
The time to cross is v = L/T T =
mL
2
. The initial state is 1 =

1
L
sin
_
x
L
_
. In the new volume 2 =
1
L
cos
_
x
L
_
.
The new ground state is =
1
2L
sin
_
x
2L
_
. Then
c
f
(t) =
3L/2
_
L/2
1
L
2
sin
_
x
2L
_
cos
_
x
L
_
dx =
8
3
So the probability is
P = [c
f
[
2
=
_
8
3
_
2

In the decay H
3
, the emitted electron has a kinetic energy of 16 keV. Argue that the sudden approximation may
be used to describe the response of an electron that is initially in the 1s state of H
3
. Show that the amplitude for it
to be in the ground state of (He)
+
is 16(2)
1/2
/27. What is the probability for it to be in the state
[n = 16, l = 3, m0) of (He)
+
? (5.2)
The time for the emitted electron, is much less than one orbit time, T, of electron in the ground state. So
ao
_
_
32000eV
m
, where T 2ao
_
_
27.2eV
m
T. The ground state of H
[100) =
_
1
a
3
o
_
1/2
e
r/ao
The ground state of (He)
+
[100)
=
_
8
a
3
o
_
1/2
e
2r/ao
The amplitude is
100[100)
_
0
_
0
2
_
0
2
2
a
3
o
e
3r/ao
r
2
sin dddr
=
_
0
8
2
a
3
o
e
3r/a
O
r
2
dr =
8
2
a
3
o
2a
3
o
27
=
16
2
27
Now for the state [16, 3, 0) (He)
+
. The integral over spherical harmonics
_
0
2
_
0
7
8
_
3 cos + 5 cos
3
_
sin dd = 0
Because each term is multiplied be the spherical harmonics, the amplitude is 0 P([16, 3, 0)
) = 0
An oscillator is in the ground state of H = H
o
+ H
1
, where the time-independent perturbation H
1
is the linear
potential (fx). If at t = 0, H
1
is abruptly turned o, show that the probability that the system is in the nth
eigenstate of H
o
is given by the Poisson distribution
P(n) =
e
n
n!
, where =
f
2
2m
3
(5.3)
32
Because the perturbation is sudden, the particle is still in the initial state of H = H
o
+H
1
. From Eq. 17.2.10
[n) = e
i(f/m
2
)P
[n
o
) (5.4)
Using =
f
2
2m
3
e
i(f/m
2
)P
[n
o
)

e
(a
a)
[n
o
)
Using the hint and that the ground state is wanted
e
(a
a)
[0) = e
/2
e
a
[0)
Now lets expand the exponential e
a
= 1
+. . .. Any lowering operator will be 0 when acting on the ground

state, so only the rst term remains.
e
/2
e
a
[0) e
/2
e
[0)
Using Eq. 21.1.115, Eq. 21.1.116, and Eq. 21.1.117
e
n=0
_
_
n
n!
(5.5)
So the state becomes
e
/2
e
[0) e
/2
n=0
n/2
a
n
n!
[0)
e
/2
n/2
n!
[n)
The probability to be in the nth state
P(n) =
n[
e
/2
n/2
n!
[n)
2
=
e
n
n!

Consider a system subject to a perturbation H
1
(t) = H
1
(t). Show that if at t = 0
the system is in the state [i

o
),
the amplitude to be in a state [f
o
) at t = 0
+
is, to rst order,
d
f
=
i
f
o
[H
1
[i
o
) (f ,= i) (5.6)
From Eq. 18.2.9
d
f
=
fi
f
o
[H
1
(t)[i
o
)e
i
fi
t
dt
=
i
f
o
[0[i
o
) = 0
Therefore there is no transition. Now for t = 0
+
d
f
=
fi
0
+
_
f
o
[H
1
(t)[i
o
)e
i
fi
t
dt
=
i
f
o
[H
1
[i
o
)
33
(1) Write H for a particle in the potentials (A, ).
The Lagrangian is
/ =
1
2
mv
2
e +
e
c
v A
The canonical momentum is
p =
/
v
= mv +
e
c
A
The Hamiltonian is
H = p v L =
1
2
mv
2
+e
H =
_
p
e
c
A
_
2
2m
+e
(2) Write down H, the Hamiltonian obtained by gauge transforming the potentials.
The Lagrangian is
/ =
1
2
mv
2
e
e
c
t
+
e
c
v (A)
The canonical momentum is
p =
/
v
= mv +
e
c
(A)
The Hamiltonian is
H = p v L =
1
2
mv
2
+e +
e
c
t
H =
_
p
e
c
(A)
_
2
2m
+e +
e
c
t

34
(3) Show that if (r, t) is a solution to Schrodingers equation with the Hamiltonian H, then (r, t) given in Eq.
(18.4.33) is the corresponding solution with H H
Lets rst look at the following relations (position, then momentum)
e
ie/c
xe
ie/c
= x
e
ie/c
pe
ie/c
= e
ie/c
_
p, e
ie/c
_
+p = e
ie/c
i
_
e
ie/c
_
+p = p +
e
c
(5.7)
Lets look at the original Hamiltonian
i
d
dt
[) = H[) =
_
_
p
e
c
A
_
2
2m
+e
_
[)
So for the second Hamiltonian
i
d
dt
|
= H
=
_ _
p
e
c
(A )
_
2
2m
+ e +
e
c
t
_
|
i
d
dt
_
e
ie/c
|
_
=
e
ct
e
ie/c
| + e
ie/c
H|
Now the exponential part on the last term needs to be moved to the other side of the Hamiltonian. This does not
commute though. Using eq. 7 twice on p
i
d
dt
_
e
ie/c
|
_
=
e
ct
e
ie/c
| + e
ie/c
H| =
e
ct
e
ie/c
| +
_ _
p
e
c
(A )
_
2
2m
+ e
_
e
ie/c
|
=
e
ct
|
+
_ _
p
e
c
(A )
_
2
2m
+ e
_
|
= H

35
36
Chapter 6
752: Problem Set 8
6.1 Problem 1: Sakuari 5.35
The ground state of a hydrogen (n = 1, l = 0) is subjected to a time-dependent potential as follows:
1(x, t) = Vo cos(kz t). (6.1)
Using time-dependent perturbation theory, obtain an expression for the transition rate at which the electron is emitted
with momentum p. Show, in particular, how you may compute the angular distribution of the ejected electron (in
terms of and dened with respect to the z-axis). Discuss briey the similarities and the dierences between this
problem and the (more realistic) photoelectric eect. (Note: For the initial wave function see Problem 34. If you
have a normalization problem, the nal wave function may be taken to be
f
(x) =
_
1
L
3/2
_
e
ipx/
(6.2)
with L very large, but you should be able to show that the observable eects are independent of L.)
The initial state is
i(x) =
_
1
a
3
o
_
1/2
e
r/ao
The nal state is
f
(x) =
_
1
L
3/2
_
e
ipx/
Now the perturbation in exponential form
V = Vo
_
e
ikzit
+e
ikz+it
_
= 1e
it
+1
e
it
From Equation 5.6.44 the transition rate is
win =
2
ni
2
(En Ei )
where
ni
2
=
V
2
o
4
n[e
ikz
[i)
2
. Now nding the matrix value
n[e
ikz
[i) =
_
1
L
3/2
e
ik
f
x
e
ikz
_
1
a
3
o
e
r/ao
d
3
r
=
1
L
3/2
a
3/2
o
_
e
i(k
f
xkz)r/ao
d
3
r
37
Now from the text k x kz = q, so the integral becomes
n[e
ikz
[i) =
8
L
3/2
a
5/2
o
1
(1/a
2
o
+q
2
)
2
=
8
L
3/2
a
5/2
o
1
_
1/a
2
o
+ (k
f
kz)
2
_
2
Using Equation 5.7.31 but converting to momentum space
n
2
d
dn
dp
f
dp
f
=
L
3
p
2
f
(2)
2
dp
f
d
The rate is
wip
f
=
2
ni
2
(En Ei )
=
2
V
2
o
4
64
2
L
3
a
5
o
1
_
1/a
2
o
+ (k
f
kz)
2
_
4
L
3
p
2
f
(2)
3
dp
f
d
=
4V
2
o
4
a
5
o
p
2
f
dp
f
d
_
1/a
2
o
+ (k
f
kz)
2
_
4
The angular dependence is in the denominator
(k
f
kz)
2
=
_
k
f
sin (cos ex + sin ey) +

_
k
f
cos k
_
ez
2
=
k
f
2
cos
2
+k
2
2k
k
f
cos +[k
f
[
2
sin
2
= k
2
f
+k
2
2k
k
f
cos
The rate is
wip
f
=
4V
2
o
4
a
5
o
p
2
f
dp
f
d
_
1/a
2
o
+k
2
f
+k
2
2k
k
f
cos
_
4
There is no azimuthal dependence, but that is to be expected, because the perturbation is dened in the z direction.
This is very similar to the photoelectric eect except that there is no polarization taken into account and no dipole
approximation.
6.2 Problem 2: Sakuari 5.40
Obtain an expression for (2p 1s) for the hydrogen atom. Verify that it is equal to 1.6 10
9
s.
The initial state is [2lm) [0) and the nal state is [100) [k). Now Fermis golden rule
R
if
=
2
f
o
|
e
mc
A P|i
o
2
(E100 + E
2lm
)
Because of the spin of the photon, l = 1. The matrix term
100|k|A|0 P|21m =
_
c
2
4
2
_
1/2 _

100
e
kr
21md
3
r
Applying the dipole approximation
f
o
[A P[i
o
) =
_
c
2
4
2
_
im
_

100
r21md
3
r
where
r =
1
1
r
1
1
+
0
1
r
0
1
1
1
r
1
1
38
The integral becomes
_
4
3
_
1/2
_
R10rR21r
2
dr
_
Y
0
0
_
1
1
Y
1
1
+
0
1
Y
0
1

1
1
Y
1
1
_
Y
m
1
d
The radial integral
2
24a
7
o
_
r
4
e
3r/2ao
dr =
128
81
_
2
3
ao
Using orthogonality for the spherical harmonics the integral becomes
f
o
[A P[i) =
256
243
1
2
ao
_
1
1
m,1 +
0
1
m,0 +
1
1
m,1
_
Then
f
o
|A A|i
o
2
=
2
15
3
10
a
2
o
_
1
1
2
m,1 +
0
1
2
m,0 +
1
1
2
m,1
_
Averaging all three polarizations
f
o
[A A[i
o
)
2
=
2
15
3
11
a
2
o
The rate becomes
R
if
=
2
_
e
mc
_
2
2
c
4
4
2
m
2
2
a
2
o
2
15
3
11
(E100 + E21m)
The momentum of the outgoing photon
_
(E100 + E21m) k
2
dkd =
4k
2
c
where k =
E
21m
E
100
c
=
e
2
2aoc
_
1
1
4
_
=
3e
2
8aoc
. Then the rate is
R
if
=
2
_
e
mc
_
2
2
c
2
4
2
m
2
2
a
2
o
2
15
3
11
_
3e
2
8aoc
_
2
4
c
=
_
2
3
_
8
_
e
2
mc
_
5
mc
2
R
if
=
_
2
3
_
8
5
mc
2
The rate is R
if
=
_
2
3
_
8
_
1
137
_
5
_
(.51110
6
)(310
18
)
1973.3
_
= .61 10
9
s
1
. The lifetime is
= 1/R =
1
.61 10
9
= 1.6 10
9
s
(1) By going through the derivation, argue that we can take the e
ikr
factor into account exactly, by replacing p
f
by p
f
k in Eq. 18.5.19
Looking at Eq. 18.5.5
H
1
fi
=
e
2mc
1
(2)
3/2
1
a
3
o
_
e
ip
f
r/
e
ikr
Ao (i) e
r/ao
d
3
r
=
e
2mc
1
(2)
3/2
1
a
3
o
_
e
i
_
p
f
k
_
r/
Ao (i) e
r/ao
d
3
r
=
e
2mc
1
(2)
3/2
1
a
3
o
_
e
ip
f
r/
Ao (i) e
r/ao
d
3
r
39
where p
f
= p
f
k. Because of the spherical symmetry of the system and all of the vectors are dened with respect
to p
f
(so p
f
would be a rotation, which has no aect on this system) all of the following steps are the same so
H
1
fi
= N
_
e
i(p
f
k)r/
Ao (i) e
r/ao
d
3
r
where N =
_
e
2mc
_
1
(2)
3/2
_
1
a
3
o
(2) Verify the claim made above about the electron momentum distribution.
Integrating by parts of the previous problem (remembering that p
f
= p
f
k)
H
1
fi
= NAo p
f
_
e
ip
f
r/
e
r/ao
d
3
r
= NAo p
f
_

0
_
1
1
_
2
0
e
ip
f
r/
e
r/ao
r
2
drd(cos )d
= 2NAo p
f
_

0
_
e
ip
f
r/
e
ip
f
r/
ip
f
r/
_
e
r/ao
r
2
dr
=
8/ao
_
(1/ao)
2
+ (p
f
/)
2
_
2
NAo p
f
Now for the -function
p
2
f
2m
= E
o
i
+
_
p
2
f
2m
E
o
i

_
=
m
p
f
_
p
f
(2mE
o
i
+ )
1/2
_
The rate becomes
R
id
=
2
Ao p
2
(8/ao)
2
_
(1/ao)
2
+ (p
f
/)
2
_
4
mp
f
_
e
2mc
_
2
1
(2)
3
1
a
3
o
=
4a
3
o
e
2
p
f
Ao
_
p
f
k
_
2
m
4
c
2
_
1 +
_
ao
_
2
_
p
f
k
_
2
_
4

(1) Estimate the photoelectric cross section when the ejected electron has a kinetic energy of 10 Ry. Compare it to
the atoms geometric cross section a
2
o
.
Looking at Eq. 18.5.30 and p
f
=
2mE
1
=
128
3
1
e
2
c
p
2
f
c
mc
1
_
_
1 +
p
2
f
c
2
2
c
2
a
2
o
_
_
4
=
128
3
1
E + 13.6
8E
3/2
m
3/2
c
m
1
c
a
3
o
_
1 + 2mc
2
Ea
2
o
1
2
c
2
_
4
=
128
8
3
(136)
3/2
149.6
1
137
_
.511 10
6
_
1/2
1973.3
(.511)
3
_
1 +
2(.51110
6
)(136)(.511)
2
(1973.3)
2
_
4
= 1.4 10
4
A
2
This is much smaller than the geometrical cross section of the atom.
(2) Show that if we consider photoemission from the 1s state of a charge Z atom, Z
5
, in the limit p
f
ao/Z 1.
The Bohr radius is inversely proportional to Z, then a =

2
Zme
2
=
ao
Z
. Looking at Eq. 18.5.30
=
128a
3
e
2
p
3
f
3m
3
cp
6
f
a
6
/
6

1
a
5
=
Z
5
a
5
o
Z
5
1
All values from Shankar p. 669
40
Show that
Y ukawa
= 16r
2
o
_
gro
2
_
2
1
1 + 4k
2
r
2
o
(6.3)
where ro = 1o is the range. Compare to the geometrical cross section associated with this range.
d =
4
2
g
2
4
d
((1/ro)
2
+ 4k
2
sin
2
(/2))
2
=
4
2
g
2
4
_

0
_
2
0
sin dd
((1/ro)
2
+ 4k
2
sin
2
(/2))
2
=
8
2
g
2
4
_
1
1
dx
((1/ro)
2
+ 2k
2
2k
2
x)
2
=
16
2
g
2
4
r
4
o
1 + 4k
2
r
2
o
= 16r
2
o
_
gro
2
_
2
1
1 + 4k
2
r
2
o
In comparison with the geometrical cross section, which is roughly 4r
2
o
= 4fm
2
,
Y 4
g
2
2
r
2
o
4
_
4r
2
o
_
= 4r
2
o
e
4
m
2
c
4
4
c
4

4
_
4r
2
o
_
= 4
_
10
5
_
2

2
_
10
9
_
2
(2000)
2

4
_
4r
2
o
_
= 5 10
3
4
_
4r
2
o
_
So the Yukawa cross section is much smaller the the geometrical cross section.
(1) Show that if V (r) = Vo(ro r),
d
d
= 4r
2
o
_
Vor
2
o
2
_
2
(sin qro qro cos qro)
2
(qro)
6
(6.4)
f(, ) =

2
2
_
e
iqr
cos
V (r
)d(cos
)d
r
2
dr
=
2Vo
2
_
ro
0
r
sin qr
q
dr
=
2Vo
2
_
sin qro qro cos qro
q
3
_
= 2ro
Vor
2
o
2
(qro)
3
Finally
d
d
= [f[
2
d
d
=
_
2ro
Vor
2
o
2
(qro)
3
_
2
= 4r
2
o
_
Vor
2
o
2
_
2
2
(qro)
6

(2) Show that as kro 0, the scattering becomes isotropic and
41

=
16r
2
o
9
_
Vor
2
o
2
_
2
(6.5)
From Eq. 19.3.6 q = 2k sin(/2)
=
_

0
_
2
0
4r
2
o
_
Vor
2
o
2
_
2
2
(qro)
6
sin dd
=
_

0
8r
2
o
_
Vor
2
o
2
_
2
2
(qro)
6
sin d
So expanding using small angle approximation sin qro qro cos qro qro
(qro)
3
6
qro +
(qro)
3
2
=
(qro)
3
3
. Then
= 8r
2
o
_
Vor
2
o
2
_
2
_

0
_
(qro)
3
3
_
2
(qro)
6
sin d
. .
2/9
=
16
9
r
2
o
_
Vor
2
o
2
_
2
42
Appendix A
511: Problem Set 5
A.1 Merzbacher Exercise 10.9
Find the eigenvalues for kinetic and potential energy for the harmonic oscillator. Explain why they do not add up to
the energy eigenvalues for the total energy.
The energy eigenvalues for total energy :
En =
_
n +
1
2
_
The Hamiltonian for the harmonic oscillator:
H =
p
2
2m
+
1
2
m
2
q
2
If we dene a new operator as
a =
_
m
2
_
q +i
p
m
_
(A.1)
It then follows that
H =
_
a
a +
1
2
_
where a
is the Hermitian adjoint of a. Now we can use this to solve for the p and q.
q =
_

2m
_
a
+a
_
(A.2)
p = i
_
m
2
_
a
a
_
(A.3)
We can now apply kinetic and potential operators to [n).
K[n) =
p
2
2m
[n)
Now we can apply Equation 3 and replace p.
p
2
2m
[n) =
_
i
_
m
2
_
a
a
_
_
2
2m
[n)
=
4
_
a
a
_ _
a
a
_
[n)
=
4
_
a
2
+a
2
a
a aa
_
[n)
=
4
__
a
2
+a
2
_
[n)
_
a
a +aa
_
[n)
_
43
From Equation 10.75 in Merzbacher, we know a
a[n) = o[n), then:

=
4
__
a
2
+a
2
_
[n) aa
[n) o[n)
_
From Equation 10.72 in Merzbacher, we know aa
= a
a + 1
=
4
__
a
2
+a
2
_
[n) 1[n) 2o[n)
_
K[n) =
4
_
a
2
+a
2
_
[n) +
_
n
2
+
1
4
_
(A.4)
Now we can proceed to the potential energy.
U[n) =
1
2
m
2
q
2
[n)
Using the same mathematical procedure, we nd:
U[n) =

4
_
a
2
+a
2
_
[n) +
_
n
2
+
1
4
_
(A.5)
It would appear that we can add (4) and (5) to nd the total energy eigenvalues, but they are not eigenvalues for
the kinetic and potential energies so we must nd those eigenvalues instead.
K[p) =
p
2
2m
[p) (A.6)
U[q) =
1
2
m
2
q
2
[q) (A.7)
The total energy is the kinetic energy plus the potential energy, so we think that we may add them as:
K[p) +U[q) =
p
2
2m
[p) +
1
2
m
2
q
2
[q) =
_
p
2
2m
+
1
2
m
2
q
2
_
[p, q)
That is true, if the p and q commuted when in fact we know that they do not commute.
p
2
2m
[p) +
1
2
m
2
q
2
[q) ,=
_
p
2
2m
+
1
2
m
2
q
2
_
[p, q)
Therefore,
K[p) +U[q) ,= H[n)
A.2 Merzbacher Problem 10.3
Find xp for a linear harmonic oscillator nth energy eigenstate.
We know
(x)
2
= n[x
2
[n) n[x[n)
2
(p)
2
= n[p
2
[n) n[p[n)
2
44
Let us begin with n[x[n):
We recall from the previous problem,
x =
_

2m
_
a
+a
_
We replace x with this new denition.
n[
_

2m
_
a
+a
_
[n) =
_

2m
n[
_
a
+a
_
[n)
=
_

2m
_
n[a
[n) +n[a[n)
_
=
_

2m
(n[n + 1) +n[n 1))
Because eigenstates n, n-1 and n+1 are orthonormal
n[n + 1) = 0
n[n 1) = 0
Then n[x[n) = 0.
Now for the term n[p[n):
We recall from the previous problem,
p = i
_
m
2
_
a
a
_
We replace p with this new denition.
n[i
_
m
2
_
a
a
_
[n) = i
_
m
2
n[
_
a
a
_
[n)
= i
_
m
2
_
n[a
[n) n[a[n)
_
= i
_
m
2
(n[n + 1) n[n 1))
n[n + 1) = 0
n[n 1) = 0
Then n[p[n) = 0.
We move to the term n[x
2
[n):
x
2
=

2m
_
a
2
+a
2
+aa
+a
a
_
So
n[x
2
[n) = n[

2m
_
a
2
+a
2
+aa
+a
a
_
[n)
=

2m
_
n[a
2
[n) +n[a
2
[n) +n[
_
aa
+a
a
_
[n)
_
=

2m
_
n[n 2) +n[n + 2) +n[
_
1 + 2a
a
_
[n)
_
45
=

2m
_
0 + 0 +n[
_
1 + 2a
a
_
[n)
_
=

m
_
n[a
a +
1
2
[n)
_
n[x
2
[n) =

m
_
n +
1
2
_
(A.8)
Finally for the last term n[p
2
[n):
p
2
=
m
2
_
a
2
+a
2
aa
a
_
So
n[p
2
[n) = n[
m
2
_
a
2
+a
2
aa
a
_
[n)
=
m
2
_
n[a
2
[n) +n[a
2
[n) n[
_
aa
+a
a
_
[n)
_
=
m
2
_
n[n 2) +n[n + 2) n[
_
1 + 2a
a
_
[n)
_
=
m
2
_
0 + 0n[
_
1 + 2a
a
_
[n)
_
= m
_
n[a
a +
1
2
[n)
_
n[p
2
[n) = m
_
n +
1
2
_
(A.9)
Then
(x)
2
= n[x
2
[n) n[x[n)
2
=

m
_
n +
1
2
_
(A.10)
(p)
2
= n[p
2
[n) n[p[n)
2
= m
_
n +
1
2
_
(A.11)
Then the uncertainty for the linear harmonic oscillator
xp =
_
n +
1
2
_
A.3 Merzbacher Problem 14.6

A linear harmonic oscillator, with energy eigenstates [n), is acted upon by a time dependent interaction between the
[0) and [1):
V (t) = F (t) [1)0[ +F
(t) [0)1[ (A.12)

a.
46
Find the coupled equations of motion for the probability amplitudes n[(t))
We know
i
d[(t))
dt
= H[(t))
where
H = Ho +V (t)
= Ho +F (t) [1)0[ +F
(t) [0)1[
with this substitution
i
d[(t))
dt
= (Ho +F (t) [1)0[ +F
(t) [0)1[) [(t))

so then n[(t)) would be follow.
n[i
d[(t))
dt
= n[ (Ho +F (t) [1)0[ +F
(t) [0)1[) [(t))

i
d
dt
n[(t)) = n[Ho[(t)) +n[F (t) [1)0[(t)) +n[F
(t) [0)0[(t))
b.
Find the energy eigenvalues and stationary states for t>0, if F(t) =
2 (t)
En[n) = H[n)
= Ho[n) +V [n)
We know from the earlier problem that
Ho[n) =
_
n +
1
2
_
[n)
For the denition of the Heaviside function (t) = 1 for t>0. Then
V [n) = F (t) [1)0[n) +F
(t) [0)1[n)
=
2[1)0[n) +
2[0)1[n)
For the interaction term then
=
2 ([1)0n +[0)1n)
Therefore
En[n) =
_
n +
1
2
_
[n) +
2 ([1)0n +[0)1n) (A.13)

This means that the stable states are form when n>1.
c.
Find n[(t)) for t>0 with the initial condition of it in the ground state.
i
d[(t))
dt
= Ho[(t)) +
_
2[1)0[ +
2[0)1[
_
[(t))
i
d[(t))
[(t))
=
_
Ho +
2[1)0[ +
2[0)1[
_
dt
Now integrate both sides
i
_
d[(t))
[(t))
=
_
_
Ho +
2[1)0[ +
2[0)1[
_
dt
iln([(t))) =
_
Ho +
2[1)0[ +
2[0)1[
_
t +C
ln([(t))) =
i
_
Ho +
2[1)0[ +
2[0)1[
_
t +C
[(t)) = Ce
(Ho+
2|10|+
2|01|)t
47
Now we apply the condition that the function is in the ground state at t=0.
[(0)) = C = [0)
So
[(t)) = [0)e
Ho
e
i
2(|10|+|01|)t
(A.14)
Therefore
n[(t)) = n[0)e
Ho
e
i
2(|10|+|01|)t
(A.15)
If this is a probability the sum over n[ should be 1. We notice that coecient will be 0 other than n = 0, where it
will equal 1. This means that the exponent must equal 1 there, too. The rst term is the transpose of the unitary
matrix. We must check if the second term is a unitary matrix.
If
e
i
2(|10|+|01|)t
= U (t)
then
U
(t) = e
i
2(|10|+|01|)t
and
UU
= 1
So
UU
= e
i
2(|10|+|01|)t
e
i
2(|10|+|01|)t
= e
i
2(|10|+|01|)t+i
2(|10|+|01|)t
= e
0
= 1
Since this term is a unitary matrix and the other term was a transpose of a unitary matrix, the probability will
always equal 1 and equation (15) is correct.
48
Appendix B
Special Harmonics
B.1 Legendre Polynomials
The spherical harmonics are developed from the associated Legendre Polynomials. Why do we care? The simple case
of electrostatic potentials:
=
q
4o
1
(r
2
+a
2
2ar cos )
1/2
=
q
4o
n=0
Pn (cos )
_
a
r
_
n
(B.1)
where Pn (cos ) are the Legendre Polynomials. What are these polynomials, they are a set of orthogonal polynomials.
1
The rst nine terms are
P0(x) = 1
P1(x) = x
P2(x) =
1
2
_
3x
2
1
_
P3(x) =
1
2
_
5x
3
3x
_
P4(x) =
1
8
_
35x
4
30x
2
+ 3
_
P5(x) =
1
8
_
63x
5
70x
3
+ 15x
_
P6(x) =
1
16
_
231x
6
315x
4
+ 105x
2
5
_
P7(x) =
1
16
_
429x
7
693x
5
+ 315x
3
35x
_
P8(x) =
1
128
_
6435x
8
12012x
6
+ 6930x
4
1260x
2
+ 35
_
Now the recurrence relation
(2n + 1) xPn(x) = (n + 1) Pn+1(x) +nPn1(x) (B.2)
Some of the dierential relations
(2n + 1)Pn(x) = P
n+1
(x) P
n1
(B.3)
P
n+1
(x) = (n + 1)Pn(x) +xP
n
(x) (B.4)
P
n1
(x) = xP
n
(x) nPn(x) (B.5)
_
1 x
2
_
P
n
(x) = nPn1(x) nxPn(x) (B.6)
_
1 x
2
_
P
n
(x) = (n + 1)xPn(x) (n + 1)Pn+1(x) (B.7)
The parity is
Pn(x) = (1)
n
Pn(x) (B.8)
As same as before, these functions are orthogonal, so
_
1
1
Pn(x)Pm(x)dx = n,m (B.9)
_

0
Pn(cos )Pm(cos ) sin d = n,m (B.10)
1
See Arfken and Weber. Mathematical Methods for Physicists 5
th
ed. 2001. pg. 596. on Gram-Schmidt Orthogonalization
49
B.2 Associated Legendre Polynomials
Now for the Associated Legendre Polynomials. The rst ten are in the following polynomials
P
1
1
(x) =
_
1 x
2
_
1/2
= sin
P
1
2
(x) = 3x
_
1 x
2
_
1/2
= 3 cos sin
P
2
2
(x) = 3
_
1 x
2
_
= 3 sin
2
P
1
3
(x) =
3
2
_
5x
2
1
_ _
1 x
2
_
1/2
=
3
2
_
5 cos
2
1
_
sin
P
2
3
(x) = 15x
_
1 x
2
_
= 15 cos sin
2
P
3
3
(x) = 15
_
1 x
2
_
3/2
= 15 sin
3
P
1
4
(x) =
5
2
_
7x
3
3x
_ _
1 x
2
_
1/2
=
5
2
_
7 cos
3
3 cos
_
sin
P
2
4
(x) =
15
2
_
7x
2
1
_ _
1 x
2
_
=
15
2
_
7 cos
2
1
_
sin
2
P
3
4
(x) = 105x
_
1 x
2
_
3/2
= 105 cos sin
3
P
4
4
(x) = 105
_
1 x
2
_
2
= 105 sin
4
The recurrence relations here are

(2n + 1)xP
m
n
= (n +m)P
m
n1
+ (n m+ 1)P
m
n+1
(B.11)
_
1 x
2
_
1/2
P
m
n
=
1
2
P
m+1
n

1
2
(n +m)(n m+ 1)P
m1
n
(B.12)
(2n + 1)
_
1 x
2
_
1/2
P
m
n
= P
m+1
n+1
P
m+1
n1
(B.13)
The parity of the associated polynomials
P
m
n
(x) = (1)
n+m
P
m
n
(x) (B.14)
The orthogonality of the functions
n(n m!)
(n +m)!
_
1
1
P
m
n
(x)P
k
n
(x) (1 x)
1
dx =
m,k
(B.15)
B.3 Spherical Harmonics
Now combining the Associated Legendre Polynomials with the azimuthal dependence to nd the Spherical Harmonics.
Spherical Harmonics are dened as
Y
m
n
(, ) = (1)
m
2n + 1
4
(n m)!
(n +m)!
P
m
n
(cos )e
im
(B.16)
The rst nine are
Y
0
0
(, ) =
1
4
Y
1
1
(, ) =
_
3
8
sin e
i
Y
0
1
(, ) =
_
3
4
cos
Y
1
1
(, ) =
_
3
8
sin e
i
Y
2
2
(, ) =
_
5
96
3 sin
2
e
2i
Y
1
2
(, ) =
_
5
24
3 sin cos e
i
Y
0
2
(, ) =
_
5
4
_
3
2
cos
2

1
2
_
Y
1
2
(, ) =
_
5
24
3 sin cos e
i
Y
2
2
(, ) =
_
5
96
3 sin
2
e
2i
The orthogonality function is
_
2
0
_

0
Y
m
1
n
1
(, )Y
m
2
n
2
(, ) sin dd = n
1
,n
2
m
1
,m
2
(B.17)
50
Index
dipole moment, 25
Stark Eect, 25
51

Physics 751 & 752: Quantum Mechanics I & II: Russell Bloomer

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Physics 751 & 752: Quantum Mechanics I & II: Russell Bloomer

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Physics 751 & 752: Quantum Mechanics I & II

Because the wave function must vanish at [x[ = , it reduces to

big >= 0 and thus show that

a), then as a matrix

is the adjoint to a can be used.

3eao. So the Hamiltonian becomes

= E +/2 with shifts of E =

. The initial state is 1 =

5.3 Problem 3: Shankar 18.2.4

+. . .. Any lowering operator will be 0 when acting on the ground

the system is in the state [i

sin (cos ex + sin ey) +

a[n) = o[n), then:

A.3 Merzbacher Problem 14.6

(t) [0)1[ (A.12)

(t) [0)1[) [(t))

(t) [0)1[) [(t))

2 ([1)0n +[0)1n) (A.13)

The recurrence relations here are

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