Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Peter D Alison
May 18, 2009
1 Problem 3.5
The hermitian conjugate (or adjoint) of an operator Q̂ is the operator
Q̂† such that
< f |Q̂g >=< Q̂† f |g > (for all f and g).
(A hermitian operator, then is equal to its hermitian conjugate: Q̂ = Q̂† .)
Z ∞ Z ∞
< f |ig >= f ∗ ig dx = (−if )∗ g dx =< −if |g >
−∞ −∞
†
i = −i
The adjoint of i is its complex conjugate, seems logical, makes sense.
d
For the operator dx
we can use integration by parts to find the adjoint.
Z ∞ Z ∞
∂g ∂g ∂f
< f| >= f∗ dx = f ∗ g|∞
−∞ − ( )∗ g dx
∂x −∞ ∂x −∞ ∂x
1
d d
The adjoint of dx is − dx .
(b) Construct the hermitian conjugate of the harmonic oscillator raising op-
erator, a+ (Equation 2.47).
1 1 ∂
a+ = √ (−ip + mωx) = √ (−i(−ih̄ ) + mωx)
2h̄mω 2h̄mω ∂x
1 ∂
a+ = √ (−h̄ + mωx)
2h̄mω ∂x
Z ∞ Z ∞
1 ∂g
< f |a+ g >= √ (−h̄ f ∗ ( ) dx + mω f ∗ (xg) dx)
2h̄mω −∞ ∂x −∞
We can use the method of integration by parts to deconstruct the first inte-
gral.
Z ∞ Z ∞
1 ∂f ∗
=√ (−h̄(f ∗ g|∞
−∞ − ( ) g dx) + mω (xf )∗ g dx)
2h̄mω −∞ ∂x −∞
1 ∂
a†+ = √ (h̄ + mωx) = a−
2h̄mω ∂x
The adjoint of a+ is a− .
< f |Q̂R̂g >=< Q̂† f |Rg >=< R̂† Q̂† f |g >=< (Q̂R̂† f |g >
2 Problem 3.7
(a) Suppose that f (x) and g(x) are two eigenfunctions of an operator Q̂, with
the same eigenvalue q. Show that any linear combination of f and g is itself
an eigenfuction of Q̂, with eigenvalue q.
We assume that Q̂ is a linear operator by definition, we are in the realm of
linear algebra, by the way. Q̂ acting on f and g yield the eigenvalue q.
2
Let us now take a linear combination of f and g and have Q̂ act on it.
af (x) + bg(x)
(b) Check that f (x) = exp(x) and g(x) = exp(−x) are eigenfunctions of
the operator d2 /dx2 , with the same eigenvalue. Construct two linear combi-
nations of f and g that are orthogonal eigenfunctions on the interval (−1, 1).
d2 x
[e ] = ex
dx2
and
d2 −x
[e ] = e−x
dx2
These functions both have the eigenvalue of 1. We can make the linear
combinations
1 x 1
(e + e−x ) and (ex − e−x )
2 2
These functions are orthonormal because
Z ∞
1 x 1
(e + e−x ) (ex − e−x ) dx = 0
−∞ 2 2
3 Problem 3.11
Find the momentum-space wave function, Φ(p, t), for a particle in the ground
state of the harmonic oscillator. What is the probability (to 2 significant
digits) that a measurement of p on a particle in this state would yield a value
outside the classical range (for the same energy)? Hint: Look in a math table
under ”Normal Distribution” or ”Error Function” for the numerical part -
or use Mathematica.
The ground state of the harmonic oscillator is
mω 1 − mω x2
ψ0 (x) = ( ) 4 e 2h̄
πh̄
3
The time-dependent ground state wave function is then
mω 1 − mω x2 − 1 ıωt
Ψ0 (x, t) = ( ) 4 e 2h̄ e 2
πh̄
The momentum-space wave function is given the Fourier transform
1 Z ∞ −ıpx/h̄
Φ(p, t) = √ e Ψ(x, t) dx
2πh̄ −∞
1 Z ∞ −ıpx/h̄ mω 1 − mω x2 − 1 ıωt
Φ(p, t) = √ e ( ) 4 e 2h̄ e 2 dx
2πh̄ −∞ πh̄
Using Mathematica this integral turns to be
1 1 p2 1
Φ(p, t) = ( ) 4 e− 2mωh̄ e− 2 ıωt
mωπh̄
√
The momentum p that is outside the classical range is mωh̄. Because
the momentum-space wave function is even around zero and the probability
must sum up to 1, the probability that a measurement of p would outside
the classical range can written as
Z √mωh̄
1−2 |Φ(p, t)|2 dp
0
4 Problem 3.14
Prove the famous ”Alison Uncertainty Principle”, relating the uncertainty in
position (A = x) to the uncertainty in energy (B = p2 /2m + V ):
h̄
σx σH ≥ | < p > |.
2m
4
For stationary states this doesn’t tell you much - why not?
5
5 Problem 3.17
Apply Equation 3.71 to the following special cases: (a) Q = 1; (b) Q = H;
(c) Q = p. In each case, comment on the result, with particular reference to
Equations 1.27, 1.33, 1.38, and conservation of energy (comments following
Equation 2.39).
Equation 3.71 states that
d i ∂ Q̂
< Q >= < [Ĥ, Q̂] > + < >
dt h̄ ∂t
(a)Q = 1
d ı ∂(1)
< 1 >= < [Ĥ, 1] > + < >
dt h̄ ∂t
ı
= < Ĥ − Ĥ > +0 = 0
h̄
The conservation of normalization as in chapter 1.
(b)Q = H
d ı ∂ h̄2 ∂ 2
< Ĥ >= < [Ĥ, Ĥ] > + < (− +V)>
dt h̄ ∂t 2m ∂x2
ı
= < HH − HH > +0 = 0
h̄
The conservation of energy.
(c)Q = x
d ı ∂x
< x >= < [Ĥ, x] > + < >
dt h̄ ∂t
ı h̄2 ∂ 2 h̄2 ∂ 2
= < (− + V )x − x(− +V)>
h̄ 2m ∂x2 2m ∂x2
From a previous problem
ıh̄ ıh̄
[x, Ĥ] = p so [Ĥ, x] = − p
m m
d ı ıh̄p
< x >= < − >
dt h̄ m
d <p>
< x >=
dt m
6
This is the classical equation for momentum otherwise known as p = mv.
(d)Q = p
d ı ∂ ∂
< p >= < [Ĥ, p̂] > + < (−ıh̄ ) >
dt h̄ ∂t ∂x
What is [Ĥ, p̂]? Let’s use a dummy function to help a bit.
h̄2 ∂ 2 ∂ ∂ h̄2 ∂ 2
[Ĥ, p̂]g(x) = [(− + V (x))(−ıh̄ ) − (−ıh̄ )(− + V (x))]g(x)
2m ∂x ∂x ∂x 2m ∂x2
h̄2 ∂ 2 ∂ ∂ h̄2 ∂ 2
= (− + V (x))(−ıh̄ )g(x) − (−ıh̄ )(− + V (x))g(x)
2m ∂x ∂x ∂x 2m ∂x2
h̄2 ∂ 2 ∂g ∂ h̄2 ∂ 2 g
= (− + V (x))(−ıh̄ ) − (−ıh̄ )(− + V (x)g)
2m ∂x ∂x ∂x 2m ∂x2
ıh̄3 ∂ 3 g ∂g ıh̄3 ∂ 3 g ∂g ∂V
3
− ıh̄V (x) − 3
+ ıh̄V (x) + ıh̄g
2m ∂x ∂x 2m ∂x ∂x ∂x
So
∂V
[Ĥ, p̂] = ıh̄
∂x
d<p> ı ∂V
= < ıh̄ > +0
dt h̄ ∂x
d<p> ∂V
=−< >
dt ∂x
which is Newton’s Law concerning conservative forces.
6 Problem 3.23
The Hamiltonian for a certain two-level system is
where |1 >, |2 > is an orthonormal basis and E is a number with the dimen-
sion of energy. Find its eigenvalues and (normalized) eigenvectors (as linear
combinations of |1 > and |2 >). What is the matrix H representing Ĥ with
respect to this basis?
Let us take the wave function that is a linear combination of the vectors
7
Ĥ|ψ >=
E(a|1 >< 1|1 > +b|1 >< 1|2 > −a|2 >< 2|1 > −b|2 >< 2|2 >
+a|1 >< 2|1 > +b|1 >< 2|2 > +a|2 >< 1|1 > +b|2 >< 1|1 >)
= E(a|1 > −b|2 > +b|1 > a|2 >) = E((a + b)|1 > +(a − b)|2 >)
The term on |1 > went from a to a + b, and the |2 > went from b to a − b.
The matrix H is then !
1 1
E
1 −1
7 Problem 3.27
Sequential Measurements. An operator Â, representing observable A, has
two normalized eigenstates ψ1 and ψ2 , with eigenvalues a1 and a2 , respec-
tively. Operator B̂, representing observable B, has two normalized eigen-
states φ1 and φ2 , with eigenvalues b1 and b2 . The eigenstates are related
by
ψ1 = (3φ1 + 4φ2 )/5, ψ2 = (4φ1 − 3φ2 )/5.
(a) Observable A is measured, and the value is a1 is obtained. What is state
of the system (immediately) after this measurement?
(b) If B is now measured, what are the possible results, and what are their
probabilities?
The possible results for B̂ are b1 and b2 and because we are in the state
ψ1 their probabilities are their corresponding φ1 and φ2 constants squared.
9
Prob.b1 =
25
16
Prob.b2 =
25
(c) Right after the measurement of B, A is measured again. What is the
probability of getting a1 ? (Note that the answer would be quite different if
8
I had told you the outcome of the B measurement.)
8 Problem 3.38
The Hamiltonian for a certain three-level system is represented by the matrix
1 0 0
H = h̄ω 0 2 0
0 0 2
9
H:
h̄ω − c 0 0
(H − cI3 ) =
0 2h̄ω − c 0
0 0 2h̄ω − c
det(H − cI3 ) = 0 = (2h̄ω − c)(2h̄ω − c)(h̄ω − c)
c = 2h̄ω, 2h̄ω, h̄ω
These are the values down the diagonal so the eigenvectors are
1 0 0
|h1 >= 0 , |h2 >= 1 , |h3 >= 0
0 0 1
A:
−c λ 0
(A − cI3 ) = λ −c 0
0 0 2λ − c
det(A − cI3 ) = 0 = (2λ − c)(c2 − λ2 ) = (2λ − c)(c − λ)(c + λ)
The eigenvalues are
c = 2λ, λ, −λ
Plugging in ±λ we obtain the systems
−λ λ 0 λ λ 0
λ −λ 0 and λ λ 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
and by default
0
|a3 >= 0
10
B:
2µ − c 0 0
(B − cI3 ) =
0 −c µ
0 µ −c
det(B − cI3 ) = 0 = (2µ − c)(c2 − µ2 ) = (2µ − c)(c − µ)(c + µ)
The eigenvalues are
c = 2µ, µ, −µ
Plugging in ±µ we obtain the system
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 −µ µ and 0 µ µ
0 µ −µ 0 µ µ
c3
11
1 0 0 c1
= h̄ω c∗1 c∗2 c∗3 0 2 0 c2
0 0 2 c3
c1
= h̄ω c∗1 c∗2 c∗3 2c2
2c3
< H >= h̄ω(|c1 |2 + 2|c2 |2 + 2|c3 |2 )
< A >=< S(0)|A|S(0) >
0 1 0 c1
=λ c∗1 c∗2 c∗3 1 0 0 c2
0 0 2 c3
c2
=λ c∗1 c∗2 c∗3 c1
2c3
< A >= λ(c∗1 c2 + c∗2 c1 + 2|c3 |2 )
< B >=< S(0)|B|S(0) >
2 0 0 c1
=µ c∗1 c∗2 c∗3 0 0 1 c2
0 1 0 c3
2c1
=µ c∗1 c∗2 c∗3 c3
c2
< B >= µ(2|c1 |2 + c∗2 c3 + c∗3 c2 )
(c) What is |S(t) >? If you measured the energy of this state (at time
t), what values might you get, and what is the probability of each? Answer
the same questions for A and for B.
The time-dependent state is
|S(t) >= c1 e−ıE1 /h̄t |h1 > +c2 e−ıE2 /h̄t |h2 > +c3 e−ıE3 /h̄t |h3 >
= c1 e−ıωt |h1 > +c2 e−ı2ωt |h2 > +c3 e−ı2ωt |h3 >
12
The possible values are the eigenvalues of the operator H.
h̄ω, 2h̄ω
2λ, λ, −λ
For c = λ
c1 e−ıωt
1
< a1 |S(t) >= √ 1 1 0 c2 e−2ıωt
2 c3 e−2ıωt
1
= √ (c1 e−ıωt + c2 e−2ıωt )
2
1
Prob. = | √ (c1 e−ıωt + c2 e−2ıωt )|2
2
1
= (|c1 |2 + |c2 |2 c∗1 c2 e−ıωt + c∗2 c1 eıωt )
2
For c = −λ
c1 e−ıωt
1
< a2 |S(t) >= √ 1 −1 0 c2 e−2ıωt
2 c3 e−2ıωt
1
= √ (c1 e−ıωt − c2 e−2ıωt )
2
1
Prob. = | √ (c1 e−ıωt − c2 e−2ıωt )|2
2
1
= (|c1 |2 + |c2 |2 − c∗1 e−ıωt − c∗2 c1 eıωt )
2
13
For c = 2λ
c1 e−ıωt
< a3 |S(t) >= 0 0 1 c2 e−2ıωt
c3 e−2ıωt
= c3 e−2ıωt
Prob. = |c3 e−2ıωt |2
= |c3 |2
The possible values for the operator B are the eigenvalues
2µ, µ, −µ
For c = µ
c1 e−ıωt
1
< b2 |S(t) >= √ 0 1 1 c2 e−2ıωt
2 c3 e−2ıωt
1
= √ (c2 e−2ıωt + c3 e−2ıωt )
2
1
Prob. = | √ (c2 e−2ıωt + c3 e−2ıωt )|2
2
1
= (|c2 |2 + |c3 |2 + c∗1 c2 + c∗2 c1 )
2
For c = −µ
c1 e−ıωt
1
< b3 |S(t) >= √ 0 1 −1 c2 e−2ıωt
2 c3 e−2ıωt
1
= √ (c2 e−2ıωt − c3 e−2ıωt )
2
1
Prob. = | √ (c2 e−2ıωt − c3 e−2ıωt )|2
2
1
= (|c2 |2 + |c3 |2 − c∗2 c3 − c∗3 c2 )
2
For c = 2µ
c1 e−ıωt
< b1 |S(t) >= 1 0 0 c2 e−2ıωt
c3 e−2ıωt
14
= c1 e(−ıωt
Prob. = |c1 e−ıωt |2
= |c1 |2
A lot of probabilities finally done. QED.
15