Lecture-2

 Eigenvalue and eigenfunction of :

Consider the eigenvalue equation

∫ ∫

……………………..(1)

According to normalization condition

| | ∫ | |

……………….(2)
√

Thus, …………………(3)
√

Again, ( ) ( )

( )
√ √ √

( ) ( ) ( ) ;

Thus ( ) ( )

which is the eigenvalue of

Hence the eigenfunction of is

√
 Lecture-2

 Eigenvalues of total angular momentum:

Let us consider that and are two limiting values in such a way that

( ) ………….(1)

And ( ) ………….(2)

Where is the maximum positive value and is the maximum negative value.

Now ( )

*( )( ) ( ) +

*( )( ) [ ] +

( )( ) ( )

( ) ………………(3)

Again ( )

*( )( ) ( ) +

*( )( ) [ ] +

( )( ) ( )

( ) ………………...(4)

If eqns (3) and (4) are to be true simultaneously, then we must have

( ) ( )
 Lecture-2

( ) ( )

( )( )

either

or,

But , because is the maximum positive value by hypothesis.

So

Now (let)

From eqn(3) ( ) ( )

And from eqn(4) ( ) ( )

Thus finally, ( ) , eigenvalues of

√( ) , eigenvalues of .

Physical significance of the eigenvalues: z

The total angular momentum has a magnitude √ ( )

whose z component is . Since does not commute with

and , the values of individual x and y components of

angular momentum are not known when its z component is

𝑙 θ √𝑙(𝑙 )
determined. Therefore the angular momentum vector lies

anywhere along the surface of a cone whose height is

and whose lateral height is √ ( ) .

Fig: Orientation and magnitude
of orbital angular momentum
 Lecture-2

 Ladder operators:

, raising operator

, lowering operator

 Show that ( )

( ) ( ) ………………….(1)

Now , -

……………………….(2)

And [ ]

………………………..(3)

Then ( )

( )

* ( ) ( )

( )( )

( )( )

( )

Similarly, ( )

( )