Applied Quantum Physics : Block 1

Extra Assignment 1
Show that the lowering operator cannot generate a state of infinite norm (i.e.,
|a− ψ|2 dx < ∞, if ψ itself is a normalized solution to the Schrödinger equation).
R

What does this tell you in the case ψ = ψ0 ? Hint: Use integration by parts to
show that Z Z
(a− ψ) (a− ψ)dx = ψ ∗ (a+ a− ψ)dx.
∗
(1)

Then invoke the Schrödinger equation to obtain

Z
1
h̄ω|a− ψ|2 dx = E − h̄ω. (2)
2