PH-107

1. Consider the Hamiltonian

P̂ 2 1
Ĥ = + mω 2 X̂ 2 .
2m 2

Let  and B̂ be operators defined as follows:

r
mω i
 = X̂ + √ P̂ ,
2~ 2m~ω
and r
mω i
B̂ = X̂ − √ P̂ .
2~ 2m~ω

(a) Calculate [Â, B̂] ( 2 marks)

Solution:

[Â, B̂] = ÂB̂ − B̂ Â

r  r 
mω i mω i
ÂB̂ = X̂ + √ P̂ X̂ − √ P̂
2~ 2m~ω 2~ 2m~ω
r
mω 2 mω i
= X̂ − √ X̂ P̂
2~ 2~ 2m~ω
r
i mω i i
+√ P̂ X̂ − √ √ P̂ 2
2m~ω 2~ 2m~ω 2m~ω
mω 2 i i 1
= X̂ − X̂ P̂ + P̂ X̂ + P̂ 2
2~ 2~ 2~ 2m~ω
mω 2 1 i
= X̂ + P̂ 2 − [X̂, P̂ ]
2~ 2m~ω 2~
mω 2 1 1
= X̂ + P̂ 2 + (1)
2~ 2m~ω 2

( 1 mark) for getting correct ÂB̂

1
Similarly
r  r 
mω i mω i
B̂ Â = X̂ − √ P̂ X̂ + √ P̂
2~ 2m~ω 2~ 2m~ω
r
mω 2 mω i
= X̂ + √ X̂ P̂
2~ 2~ 2m~ω
r
i mω i i
−√ P̂ X̂ − √ √ P̂ 2
2m~ω 2~ 2m~ω 2m~ω
mω 2 i i 1
= X̂ + X̂ P̂ − P̂ X̂ + P̂ 2
2~ 2~ 2~ 2m~ω
mω 2 1 i
= X̂ + P̂ 2 + [X̂, P̂ ]
2~ 2m~ω 2~
mω 2 1 1
= X̂ + P̂ 2 − (2)
2~ 2m~ω 2
( 1 mark) for getting correct B̂ Â

Obviously, if you get correct ÂB̂ and B̂ Â then you got the right answer
of [Â, B̂]. So adding two numbers will have no marks.

So, we can write

   
mω 2 1 1 mω 2 1 1
ÂB̂ − B̂ Â = X̂ + P̂ 2 + − X̂ + P̂ 2 − =1
2~ 2m~ω 2 2~ 2m~ω 2

(b) Express Ĥ in terms of operator B̂ Â. ( 2 marks)

Solution:
Let us express X̂ and P̂ in terms of  and B̂ as
r
~
X̂ = (B̂ + Â)
2mω
and r
mω~
P̂ = i (B̂ − Â).
2

So, let us write the key terms of Hamiltonian as

~
X̂ 2 = (B̂ 2 + Â2 + B̂ Â + ÂB̂)
2mω
or
1 ~ω 2
mω 2 X̂ 2 = (B̂ + Â2 + B̂ Â + ÂB̂)
2 4

2
0.5 mark

mω~
P̂ 2 = (B̂ Â + ÂB̂ − B̂ 2 − Â2 )
2
or
1 2 ~ω
P̂ = (B̂ Â + ÂB̂ − B̂ 2 − Â2 )
2m 4
0.5 mark

So Hamiltonian can be written as

P̂ 2 1 ~ω ~ω ~ω
Ĥ = + mω 2 X̂ 2 = (B̂ Â+ÂB̂−B̂ 2 −Â2 )+ (B̂ 2 +Â2 +B̂ Â+ÂB̂) = (B̂ Â+ÂB̂)
2m 2 4 4 2
0.5 mark

Now using commutation relation done in the part (a),

 
1
Ĥ = B̂ Â + ~ω
2
0.5 mark

Alternatively, we can get the answer much quicker way, using

the results obtained from part (a):
As we have written in Eq. (2) as
mω 2 1 1
X̂ + P̂ 2 − = B̂ Â
2~ 2m~ω 2  
1 1 mω 2
P̂ 2 = B̂ Â + − X̂
2m~ω 2 2~
 
1 2 1 mω 2
P̂ = B̂ Â + ~ω − X̂ (~ω)
2m 2 2~
mω 2 2
 
1 2 1
P̂ = B̂ Â + ~ω − X̂
2m 2 2
 
1 2 1 1
P̂ + mω 2 X̂ 2 = B̂ Â + ~ω
2m 2 2
 
1
Ĥ = B̂ Â + ~ω (3)
2

Here, 1 mark for writing the first line of the above equation or
similar thing that, i.e.,
mω 2 1 1
X̂ + P̂ 2 − = B̂ Â
2~ 2m~ω 2

3
and other 1 mark for the final answer.

(c) Calculate the Equation of Motion for the operator Â. ( 2 marks)

Solution:
The Equation of Motion for the operator  is written as

dhÂi i
= h[Ĥ, Â]i (0.5 mark) (4)
dt ~
 
Now from the part (b) of this question, we know Ĥ = B̂ Â + 12 ~ω, so
let evaluate
  
1
[Ĥ, Â] = B̂ Â + ~ω, Â = ~ω[B̂ Â, Â] = −~ω Â (5)
2

So, we can write

h[Ĥ, Â]i = −~ωhÂi, (0.5 mark) (6)

and Equation of Motion is

dhÂi i i
= h[Ĥ, Â]i = h× − ~ωhÂi = −iωhÂi (0.5 mark) (7)
dt ~ ~
So, after performing the time-integral, we get finally

hÂit = hÂi0 e−iωt (0.5 mark) (8)

4
Q2. Consider the 1-dimensional wave function of a particle of mass m, given by

𝑥
𝜓(𝑥) = 𝐴 𝑒
𝑥

where, 𝐴, 𝑛 and 𝑥 are real constants.

Find the potential 𝑉(𝑥) for which 𝜓(𝑥) is a stationary state (It is known that 𝑉(𝑥) →
0 as 𝑥 → ∞). What is the energy of the particle in the state 𝜓(𝑥)?

(2+1 = 3 marks)

Solution:

Differentiating the given wave function (twice),

𝜓 (𝑥) = 𝐴 𝑒 +𝐴 − 𝑒 ,

( )
𝜓 (𝑥) = 𝐴 𝑒 − 2𝐴 𝑒 +𝐴 𝑒

( )
= −2 −2 𝜓(𝑥),

( )
For getting 𝜓 (𝑥) = −2 −2 𝜓(𝑥) correct, 1 Mark to be awarded here.
For small error, part mark (no less than 0.5) can be awarded.

Substituting it in the time-independent Schrödinger equation

ℏ 𝑑
− 𝑑𝑥 + 𝑉(𝑥) 𝜓(𝑥) = 𝐸𝜓(𝑥),

We have
ℏ ( )
𝐸 − 𝑉(𝑥) = − [ − + ]

As 𝑉(𝑥) → 0 when 𝑥 → ∞,
ℏ
we have 𝐸 = −

Note that this is the answer for part (b). So 1 mark for getting this correct. If this is wrong
due to the (small) error in the previous section, full marks can still be awarded. In case
there are new errors, part mark (no less than 0.5) may be awarded.
and hence
ℏ ( )
𝑉(𝑥) = − 2𝑛 𝑥 𝑥

Award the remaining 1 mark. No deduction for propagation of error from the previous
parts, but part mark (no less than 0.5) to be awarded here, if there’s new error in this
part.
Q1. A particle with mass 𝑚 is placed in an infinite one dimensional potential well
extending from 𝑥 = 0 to 𝑥 = 𝑎 ( i.e. 𝑉 = 0 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑎, and 𝑉 = ∞ otherwise). At time
𝑡 = 0, the wave function 𝜓(𝑥) representing the particle is such that a measurement of the
ℏ
energy of the particle does not give result larger than . Additionally, the average
ℏ
energy of the particle is found to be .

(a) What is the wave function representing the particle at 𝑡 = 0 ?

(b) Find the probability 𝑃 (𝑡) of finding the particle at time 𝑡 = 𝑡, in the region 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤
𝑎⁄2.
ℏ ℏ
(c) What is the probability of measuring the momentum 𝑝 = and 𝑝 = − ?

(2.5+2.5+1 = 6 Marks)

Model Solutions are provided for 3 different values of average energy:

7 2  2
A. Average energy of the particle is
4ma 2

2  n   2 2n 2
n  sin  x  and E n 
a  a  2ma 2

4 2 2
(a) The energy measurement gives E  , therefore n  2 .
2ma
 ( x)  C1 1 ( x)  C 2 2 ( x) 0.5 Mark

2  2 2 2 4 2  2 7 2  2
E  C1  C2 
2ma 2 2ma 2 4ma 2
2 2 7
C1  4 C 2  0.5 Mark
2
2 2
C1  C 2 1 0.5 Mark

2 1 2 5
C1  and C 2 
6 6

1 5
C1  and C 2  (ignore arbitrary phase if student has written)
6 6

1 5
Wave function of particle at t=0 is,  ( x)   1 ( x)   2 ( x) 0.5 Mark
6 6
(b) Probability PL (t )

1 5
 ( x, t )   1 ( x) exp(iE1t / )   2 ( x) exp(4iE1t / )
6 6
a/2
PL (t )   * ( x, t ) ( x, t )dx
0
a/2 a/2 a/2

12
6a  sin 2 (x / a)dx 
52
6a  sin 2 (2x / a)dx 
6 a
e 
5 2 3iE1t / 
 e 3iE1t /    sin(x / a) sin(2x / a)dx
0 0 0

a/2 a/2 a/2

1 5 2 5
0 sin (x / a)dx  3a  sin (2x / a)dx  cos(3E1t / )  sin(x / a) sin(2x / a)dx
2 2
=
3a 0
3a 0

0.5 Mark

 x 
a/2
a
 sin  dx 
2
0.5 Mark
0  a  4

 2x 
a/2
a
 sin dx 
2

0  a  4

 x   2x 
a/2
2a
 sin a  sin
0
a 
 dx 
3
0.5 Mark

1 a 5 a 2 5 2a 1 4 5
PL (t )    cos(3E1t /  )   cos(3E1t /  ) 0.5 Mark
3a 4 3a 4 3a 3 2 9
Note: If a student has taken t=0, he will get marks only for evaluating integrals.
1 2 5 2
(c)  ( x)  sin(x / a)  sin( 2x / a)
6 a 6 a


1
e 
1 ix / a
 e ix / a  
5 1 2ix / a
e 
 e  2ix / a 
3a 2i 3a 2i

1  1 ix / a 5 2ix / a 1 ix / a 5 2 ix / a 

  e  e  e  e  0.5 Marks
2i  3a 3a 3a 3a 

Method 1:
Momentum eigen functions are given by  ( x)  Ae ikx where k  p . Above equation is a
 2  2
linear combination of momentum functions with k , , and  . The
a a a a
 2  2
corresponding momenta are, p  , , and  . 0.5 Marks
a a a a
 2
Therefore, the probability of measuring momentum is
a
(5 / 3a) 5
P( p  2 / a)   0.5 Mark
(1 / 3a)  (5 / 3a)  (1 / 3a)  (5 / 3a) 12
3
Momentum wave function does not contain p   ,
a
hence P ( p  3 / a )  0 0.5 Marks

Method 2:
Taking Fourier transform of  (x )

 (k )   ( x)e ikx dx


1 1 5 1 5 
   ( / a, k )   (2 / a, k )   ( / a, k )   (2 / a, k )
2i  3a 3a 3a 3a 
0.5 Mark
(5 / 3a) 5
 P(k  2 / a)   0.5 Mark
(1 / 3a)  (5 / 3a)  (1 / 3a)  (5 / 3a) 12
P ( p  3 / a )  0 0.5 Mark

7 2  2
B. Average energy of the particle is
8ma 2

2  n   2 2n 2
n  sin  x  and E n 
a  a  2ma 2

4 2 2
(a) The energy measurement gives E  , therefore n  2 .
2ma
 ( x)  C1 1 ( x)  C 2 2 ( x) 0.5 Mark

2  2 2 2 4 2  2 7 2  2
E  C1  C2 
2ma 2 2ma 2 8ma 2
2 2 7
C1  4 C 2  0.5 Mark
4
2 2
C1  C 2 1 0.5 Mark

3 1
C1  and C 2  (ignore arbitrary phase if student has written)
2 2
 3 1
Wave function of particle at t=0 is,  ( x )   1 ( x)   2 ( x) 0.5 Mark
2 2
(b) Probability PL (t )

3 1
 ( x, t )   1 ( x) exp(iE1t /  )   2 ( x) exp(4iE1t /  )
2 2
a/2
PL (t )   * ( x, t ) ( x, t )dx
0
a/2 a/2 a/2

32
4a  sin 2 (x / a)dx 
12
4a  sin 2 (2x / a)dx 
4 a
e 
3 2 3iE1t / 
 e 3iE1t /    sin(x / a) sin(2x / a)dx
0 0 0

a/2 a/2 a/2

3 1 3
 sin (x / a)dx   sin 2 (2x / a)dx  cos(3E1t / )  sin(x / a) sin(2x / a)dx
2
=
2a 0
2a 0
a 0

0.5 Mark

 x 
a/2
a
 sin  dx 
2
0.5 Mark
0  a  4

 2x 
a/2
a
 sin dx 
2

0  a  4

 x   2x 
a/2
2a
 sin a  sin
0
a 
 dx 
3
0.5 Mark

3 a 1 a 3 2a 1 2
PL (t )    cos(3E1t / )   cos(3E1t / ) 0.5 Mark
2a 4 2a 4 a 3 2  3
Note: If a student has taken t=0, he will get marks only for evaluating integrals.

(c)

3 2 1 2
 ( x)  sin(x / a )  sin(2x / a )
2 a 2 a


2a 2i
e
3 1 ix / a
 e ix / a  
1 1 2ix / a
2i
e 
 e  2ix / a 
2a

1  3 ix / a 1 2ix / a 3 ix / a 1 2ix / a 

  e  e  e  e  0.5 Mark
2i  2a 2a 2a 2a 

Method 1:
Momentum eigen functions are given by  ( x)  Ae ikx where k  p . Above equation is a
 2  2
linear combination of momentum functions with k , , and  . The
a a a a
 2  2
corresponding momenta are, p  , , and  . 0.5 Mark
a a a a
2
Therefore, the probability of measuring momentum is
a
(1 / 2a) 1
P( p  2 / a)   0.5 Mark
(3 / 2a)  (1 / 2a)  (3 / 2a)  (1 / 2a) 8
3
Momentum wave function does not contain p   ,
a
hence P ( p  3 / a )  0 0.5 Mark

Method 2:
Taking Fourier transform of  (x )

 (k )   ( x)e ikx dx


1 3 1 3 1 
   ( / a, k )   (2 / a, k )   ( / a, k )   (2 / a, k )
2i  2a 2a 2a 2a 
0.5 Mark
(1 / 2a) 1
 P( p  2 / a)   0.5 Mark
(3 / 2a)  (1 / 2a)  (3 / 2a)  (1 / 2a) 8
P ( p  3 / a )  0 0.5 Mark

7 2  2
C. Average energy of the particle is
2ma 2
Note: This choice of average energy will give unphysical results. However, if the student
has understood the physics and has done the calculations, he deserves full marks. (he
should recognize that the solutions are unphysical)

2  n   2 2n 2
n  sin  x  and E n 
a  a  2ma 2

4 2 2
(a) The energy measurement gives E  , therefore n  2 .
2ma
 ( x)  C1 1 ( x)  C 2 2 ( x) 0.5 Mark

2  2 2 2 4 2  2 7 2  2
E  C1  C2 
2ma 2 2ma 2 2ma 2
2 2
C1  4 C 2 7 0.5 Mark
2 2
C1  C 2 1 0.5 Mark
2 2
C1  1 and C 2 2

 C1  i and C 2  2 (ignore arbitrary phase if student has written)

Wave function of particle at t=0 is,  ( x )  i 1 ( x )  2 2 ( x ) 0.5 Mark

(b) Probability PL (t )

 ( x, t )  i 1 ( x ) exp( iE1t /  )  2 2 ( x ) exp(4iE1t /  )

a/2 a/2 a/2 a/2
PL (t )   * ( x, t ) ( x, t )dx   12 ( x)dx  2  22 ( x)dx  2 2 sin(3E1t / )  1 ( x) 2 ( x)dx
0 0 0 0
a/2 a/2 a/2
2 2 2
  sin (x / a)dx  2  sin (2x / a)dx  2 2 sin(3E1t / )  sin(x / a) sin(2x / a)dx
2 2

a 0
a 0
a 0
a/2 a/2 a/2
2 4 4 2
  sin (x / a)dx   sin 2 (2x / a)dx  sin (3E1t / )  sin(x / a) sin(2x / a)dx
2

a 0
a 0
a 0

0.5 Mark

 x 
a/2
a
 sin  dx 
2
0.5 Mark
0  a  4

 2x 
a/2
a
 sin dx 
2

0  a  4

 x   2x 
a/2
2a
 sin a  sin
0
a 
 dx 
3
0.5 Mark

2 a 4 a 4 2 2a 3 8 2
PL (t )    sin(3E1t /  )   sin(3E1t /  ) 0.5 Mark
a4 a4 a 3 2 3
(solution is unphysical)
Note: If a student has taken t=0, he will get marks only for evaluating integrals.
 2 2
(c)  ( x)  i sin(x / a)  2 sin(2x / a )
a a

i
a 2i

2 1 ix / a
e 
 e ix / a  e 
2 1 2ix / a
 e  2ix / a 
a 2i

1  2 ix / a 2 2ix / a 2 2 2 ix / a 

 i e  e  i e ix / a  e  0.5 Mark
2i  a a a a 

Method 1:
Momentum eigen functions are given by  ( x)  Ae ikx where k  p . Above equation is a
 2  2
linear combination of momentum functions with k , , and  . The
a a a a
 2  2
corresponding momenta are, p  , , and  . 0.5 Mark
a a a a
2
Therefore, the probability of measuring momentum is
a
(4 / a) 1
P( p  2 / a)   0.5 Mark
(2 / a)  (4 / a)  (2 / a)  (4 / a) 3
3
Momentum wave function does not contain p   ,
a
hence P ( p  3 / a )  0 0.5 Mark

Method 2:
Taking Fourier transform of  (x )

 (k )   ( x)e ikx dx


1 2 2 2 2 
 i  ( / a, k )   (2 / a, k )  i  ( / a, k )   (2 / a, k ) 0.5 Mark
2i  a a a a 
(4 / a) 1
P( p  2 / a)   0.5 Mark
(2 / a)  (4 / a)  (2 / a)  (4 / a) 3
P ( p  3 / a )  0 0.5 Mark