Important questions on quantum statistical mechanics

Made by Sadhan Sir on June 2022

1. Consider a quantum system with an observable A that has three possible measurement results 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎3 .
The system is prepared in the state |Ψ⟩ = 2|𝑎1 ⟩ − 3|𝑎2 ⟩ + 4𝑖|𝑎3 ⟩. Calculate the probabilities of all possible
measurement results of the observable A. 3
2. Show that 〈𝐴〉 = 𝑇𝑟(𝜌̂𝐴̂), where 𝜌̂ is the density matrix. 2
3. Show that 𝑇𝑟(𝜌̂) = 1. 2
𝑑𝜌
4. Show that time evolution of the density matrix gives 𝑖ℏ ̂ , 𝜌̂].
= [𝐻 3
𝑑𝑡

5. Show that the density operator for a pure state is idempotent. [CU-21] 2
6. Calculate the trace of the square of a density operator and show that 𝑇𝑟(𝜌2 ) ≤ [𝑇𝑟(𝜌)]2 3
1
7. For a spin system, what should be the generic form of the density matrix. 2
2
1
8. Construct the density matrix of spin system, where 25% member of the ensemble are in Sx+ state and 75% in
2

Sz− state. 3
1
1 3
0
9. Consider a two-level system with density operator 𝜌 = 4 |𝑎⟩⟨𝑎 |+ 4 |𝑏⟩⟨𝑏| = ( 4 3 ). Show that the state of
0
4

the system is a mixed state. 2

𝑇𝑟(𝐴̂𝑒 −𝛽𝐻 )
10. Show that expectation value of a physical quantity A under canonical ensemble 〈𝐴〉 = 𝑇𝑟(𝑒 −𝛽𝐻 )
3

𝑇𝑟(𝐴̂𝑒 −𝛽(𝐻−𝜇𝑛))
11. Show that expectation value of a physical quantity A under grand-canonical ensemble 〈𝐴〉 = 𝑇𝑟(𝑒 −𝛽(𝐻−𝜇𝑛) )
3

12.

[CU-21] 2+2
13.

[CU-21] 3+3
14.

1
 [CU-Msc-15, 17]
3
15. Apply the density matrix in case of a free particle and find 〈𝐻〉 = 𝐾𝐵 𝑇. 5
2