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Solutions to exam 2009-10-20 in Quantum Mechanics, advanced course 1

Problem 1 (4 p.):
Consider an observable A with orthonormal eigenvectors [a

), i.e. A[a

) = a

[a

), and an arbi-
trary ket [) which can be expanded as [) =

c
a
[a

).
(a) Show that

[a

)a

[ = 1 (
a
= [a

)a

[ is the projection operator along [a

)).
(b) Show that

[c
a
[
2
= 1, if [) is normalized to unity.
(c) Show that the operator A can be written in the form A =

[a

)a

[.
(d) Evaluate the expectation value A) = [A[).
Solution: See Sakurai pp. 19-20, 22, 25
(a) [) =

c
a
[a

), then multiply with a

[ giving a

[) =

c
a
a

[a

) = c
a
such that
[) =

[a

)a

[). Since [) is arbitrary

[a

)a

[ = 1 (identity or unit operator).


(b) 1 = [[[[
2
= [) = [

[a

)a

[[) =

[a

)a

[) =

[[a

)[
2
=

[c
a
[
2
(c) A = A1 = A

[a

)a[ =

A[a

)a[ =

[a

)a

[
(d) [A[) =

[a

)a

[A[a

)a

[) =

[a

)a

a
a

[) =

[a

[)[
2
=

[c
a
[
2
Problem 2 (4 p.):
(a) Dene compatible and incompatible observables and explain the physical relevance of these
concepts.
(b) For an arbitrary energy eigenstate [n) of a simple harmonic oscillator, calculate xp
(where A =
_
(A A))
2
) =
_
A
2
) A)
2
) and show that it is minimal for the ground
state. Comment on the physical meaning.
Solution:
(a) See Sakurai ch. 1.4: Two observables A, B are compatible if they commute, [A, B] =
AB BA = 0, i.e. it does not matter in which order the operators are applied and therefore
in which order the corresponding measurements are performed, and hence the two variables
(corresponding to these measurements) can be measured simultaneous. The observables are
incompatible if they do not commute, [A, B] ,= 0, so that the order of measurement does matter
and the two variables are not simultaneous measurable. In addition, two commuting observable
have a common set of eigenvectors, whereas non-nommuting observables do not.
Dening the mean square deviation (or dispersion) of an observable as (A)
2
) = (A
A))
2
) = A
2
) A)
2
, the uncertainty relation (A)
2
)(B)
2
)
1
4
[[A, B][
2
gives the funda-
mental limitation on how precise these two measurements can be made.
(b) Using x =
_

2m
_
a

+ a
_
and p = i
_
m
2
_
a

a
_
as well as a[n) =

n[n1) and a

[n) =

n + 1[n + 1) one obtains x) =


_

2m
n[
_
a

+ a
_
[n) = 0 and p) = i
_
m
2
n[
_
a

a
_
[n) =
0. Using also [a, a

] = 1 gives x
2
) =

2m
n[
_
a
2
+ a
2
+ a

a + aa

_
[n) =

2m
(2n + 1) and
p
2
) =
m
2
n[
_
a
2
+ a
2
a

a aa

_
[n) =
m
2
(2n + 1)
This gives the uncertainty relation xp =
_
x
2
) x)
2
_
p
2
) p)
2
=

2
(2n + 1) demon-
strating that x and p are incompatible observables. For the ground state n = 0 one obtains
the minimum uncertainty, which makes sense since the ground state wave function (x) is
less spread out than the excited ones at higher energy levels where the x
2
-potential provides
a larger available x-region. Via the symmetry x
2
p
2
in the hamiltonian the same holds for
the momentum. Note also that for n = 0 one has the form of the simple uncertainty relation
xp = /2 given in basic quantum mechanics.
Solutions to exam 2009-10-20 in Quantum Mechanics, advanced course 2
Problem 3 (4 p.):
Given a system of three spin 1/2 particles, express (with motivation) the total angular momen-
tum state [j, m) in terms of [m
1
, m
2
, m
3
) states of the three spins, i.e. [ +++), [ ++), [ ++)
etc.
Hint: Add rst two spins to resulting intermediate states [j

, m

), and then the third spin to


obtain all states [j, m) for the total angular momentum.
Solution:
The new basis states [j
1
j
2
j
3
; jm) =

m
1
m
2
m
3
[j
1
j
2
j
3
; m
1
m
2
m
3
)j
1
j
2
j
3
; m
1
m
2
m
3
[j
1
j
2
j
3
; jm) ex-
pressed in the old direct product basis, where the scalar products are the Clebsch-Gordan coe-
cients (CG). Drop j
1
j
2
j
3
which should be present in all kets, and use notation [j
1
j
2
j
3
; m
1
m
2
m
3
) =
[ ) appropriate for three spin=1/2 particles. Since each particle have 2 spin states, we have
in total 8 states. Adding rst two spin-1/2 and then the third gives
1
2

1
2

1
2
=
_
1
2

1
2
_

1
2
=
(1 0)
1
2
=
_
1
1
2
_

_
0
1
2
_
=
3
2

1
2

1
2
i.e. a quadruplet of four states and two dou-
blets of states giving 8 states in total. Thus, these eight [j, m) states [j = 3/2, m) [j = 1/2, m)
[j = 1/2, m) should be expressed in terms of [ + ++), [ + +), [ ++), [ ++), [ +),
[ +), [ +), [ ).
First, adding two spin 1/2 using Clebsch-Gordan coecients from the table
1
2

1
2
gives
the spin triplet [1, 1) = [ + +), [1, 0) =
1

2
([ +) +[ +)), [1, 1) = [ ) which is
symmetric under the exchange of the two spins (particles), and the antisymmetric spin singlet
[0, 0) =
1

2
([ +) [ +)).
Then, adding the third spin to the spin triplet using the table 1
1
2
gives [j, m) expressed
rst in states [m

, ) = [j

s
3
; m

, m
s
3
) = [j

) [s
3
m
s
3
) and then replacing [j

, m

) with the
expressions obtained above results in
[
3
2
, +
3
2
) = [1, +) = [ + ++)
[
3
2
, +
1
2
) =
_
1
3
[1, ) +
_
2
3
[0, +) =
_
1
3
[ + +) +
_
1
3
[ ++) +
_
1
3
[ ++)
[
3
2
,
1
2
) =
_
2
3
[0, ) +
_
1
3
[ 1, +) =
_
1
3
[ +) +
_
1
3
[ +) +
_
1
3
[ +)
[
3
2
,
3
2
) = [ 1, ) = [ )
i.e. four states that are completely symmetric under exchange of particle spins, and 2 more
states that are symmetric in the rst two spins
[
1
2
, +
1
2
)
S
=
_
2
3
[1, )
_
1
3
[0, +) =
_
2
3
[ + +)
_
1
6
[ ++)
_
1
6
[ ++)
[
1
2
,
1
2
)
S
=
_
1
3
[0, )
_
2
3
[ 1, +) =
_
1
6
[ +) +
_
1
6
[ +)
_
2
3
[ +)
Similarly, adding the third spin 1/2 to the singlet state [0, 0), corresponding to 0
1
2
, gives
[
1
2
, +
1
2
)
A
= [0, +) =
_
1
2
[ ++)
_
1
2
[ ++)
[
1
2
,
1
2
)
A
= [0, ) =
_
1
2
[ +)
_
1
2
[ +)
Alternative solution using ladder operators: Identify highest spin state [
3
2
,
3
2
) = [ + ++),
where the CG =+1 by the phase convention. Applying the ladder operator J

= J
1
+ J
2
+
J
3
on this gives J

[3/2, +3/2) = (J
1
+ J
2
+ J
3
)[ + ++) which results in [3/2, +1/2) =

...[ ++) +

...[ ++) +

...[ + +). Iterating in this way gives all states [j = 3/2, m)


with m = 3/2, 1/2, 1/2, 3/2, as above.
The states [1/2, m = 1/2) are obtained by orthogonality conditions w.r.t [3/2, 1/2) and
the normalisation condition. First, construct the doublet [1/2, 1/2)
S
= a[ + +) +b[ ++) +
c[ ++), with two spin up and one down to get +1/2 in the z-component, and use orthogonality
Solutions to exam 2009-10-20 in Quantum Mechanics, advanced course 3

3
2
,
1
2
[
1
2
,
1
2
)
S
= 0 giving a+b+c = 0 and normalization
S

1
2
,
1
2
[
1
2
,
1
2
)
S
= 1 giving [a[
2
+[b[
2
+[c[
2
= 1.
Choosing symmetry of 2 spins, e.g. rst two, gives b = c ,= a and one obtains [1/2, 1/2)
S
=
_
2
3
[ + +)
_
1
6
[ ++)
_
1
6
[ ++). Then apply ladder operator J

as before to obtain
[1/2, 1/2)
S
=
_
1
6
[ +) +
_
1
6
[ +)
_
2
3
[ +).
Then, construct the second doublet [1/2, 1/2)
A
= d[ + +) + e[ ++) + f[ ++), using
orthogonality
3
2
,
1
2
[
1
2
,
1
2
)
A
= 0 giving d + e + f = 0 and
S

1
2
,
1
2
[
1
2
,
1
2
)
A
= 0 giving
_
2
3
d
_
1
6
e
_
1
6
f = 0, as well as normalization
A

1
2
,
1
2
[
1
2
,
1
2
)
A
= 1 giving [d[
2
+[e[
2
+[f[
2
= 1. Solving these
three equations gives the three unknowns d, e, f resulting in the states [1/2, 1/2)
A
as above.
Problem 4 (4 p.):
The Hamiltonian of a rigid diatomic molecule in a weak magnetic eld in the xz-plane is
H = L
2
/2I +BL
z
+CL
x
, where I is the moment of inertia and C/B = tan with the polar
angle of the eld. For C B, nd the approximate energy eigenvalues of H in second order
perturbation theory (lowest non-vanishing order).
Hint: Regard H
0
= L
2
/2I + BL
z
as the unperturbed Hamiltonian and start from its energy
eigenvalues and eigenstates.
Solution:
Since the unperturbed hamiltonian is given by the orbital angular momentum operators L
2
and L
z
, it has eigenstates [, m) and H
0
[, m) =
_

2
(+1)
2I
+ Bm
_
[, m) give the eigenvalues
E
(0)
m
=

2
(+1)
2I
+ Bm, which are non-degenrate for all = 0, 1, 2, . . . and m = , . . . , .
For the full hamiltonian including the perturbation, denote the energy eigenvalues by E
m
=
E
(0)
m
+ E
m
with the shift given by non-degenerate perturbation theory as
E
m
= m[CL
x
[m) +

=m
[

[CL
x
[m)[
2
E
(0)
m
E
(0)

+
Which is obtained from the matrix elements of the form

[L
x
[m) =
1
2

[L
+
+ L

[m)
=
1
2

_
( m)( + m + 1)

[m + 1) +
1
2

_
( + m)( m + 1)

[m1)
=

2
_

m+1
_
( m)( + m + 1) +

m1
_
( + m)( m + 1)
_
E
m
= 0 +

=m

2
C
2
4
_

m+1
_
( m)( + m + 1) +

m1
_
( + m)( m + 1)
_
2
E
(0)
m
E
(0)

+
=

2
C
2
4
_
( m)( + m + 1)
E
(0)
m
E
(0)
m+1
+
( + m)( m + 1)
E
(0)
m
E
(0)
m1
_
+
=
C
2
4B
(( m)( + m + 1) + ( + m)( m + 1)) + =
mC
2
2B
+
This gives the energy eigenvalues of H to second order in perturbations theory as E
m
=

2
(+1)
2I
+ Bm +
mC
2
2B
=

2
(+1)
2I
+ Bm
_
1 +
1
2
tan
2

_
Solutions to exam 2009-10-20 in Quantum Mechanics, advanced course 4
Problem 5 (4 p.):
Calculate in the Born approximation the dierential scattering cross section d/dq, where q is
the momentum transfer q = [

[, for scattering of particles with energy E =


2
k
2
/2m on
the repulsive potential V = V
0
e
r/a
.
Hint:
_

0
dr r
p
e
r
=
p!

p+1
for Re() > 0.
Solution:
For a weak potential, the perturbative expansion T = V +V G
+
V +. . . can be truncated after
the rst term giving the scattering amplitude f(

k) =
2m

2
(2)
3
4

[V [

k). Going to position


space representation, by introducing completeness relations, one gets
f(

k) =
2m

2
(2)
3
4
_
dx

_
dx

[x

)x

[V [x

)x

k)
=
2m

2
(2)
3
4
_
dx

_
dx

[x

)V (x

)(x

)x

k)
=
2m

2
1
4
_
dx

e
i(

)x

V (x

) =
2m

2
1
4
_
dx

e
i qx

V (x

)
using x

k) = e
i

kx

/(2)
3/2
and the momentum transfer q =

k

. For a spherically symmetric


potential V (r) one uses spherical coordinates, with the scalar product qx

= qr

cos

, giving
f(, ) =
2m

2
1
4
_
2
0
d

_
1
1
d cos

_

o
dr

2
e
iqr

cos

V (r

)
=
2m

2
2
4
_

o
dr

2
e
iqr

e
iqr

iqr

V (r

) =
2m

2
_

o
dr

2
sin qr

qr

V (r

)
which depends only on the magnitude q = [

[ =
_
k
2
k

2
2kk

cos = 2k sin /2 for


elastic scattering when [

k[ = [

[ = k. Inserting the potential V (r) = V


0
e
r/a
gives
f(, ) =
2mV
0

2
_

o
dr

2
sin qr

qr

e
r/a
=
2mV
0

2
q
_

o
dr

sin qr

e
r/a
=
2mV
0

2
q
1m
_

o
dr

e
iqr

e
r/a
=
2mV
0

2
q
1m
_

o
dr

e
(iq1/a)r

=
2mV
0

2
q
1m
1
(1/a iq)
2
=
2mV
0

2
2a
3
(1 + q
2
a
2
)
2
where 1m is the imaginary part and the hint has been used to evaluate the intergral. The
dierential cross section is then
d
d
= [f
(1)
(q)[
2
=
_
2mV
0

2
_
2
4a
6
(1 + q
2
a
2
)
4
=
_
2mV
0

2
_
2
4a
6
(1 + 4k
2
a
2
sin
2
/2)
4
Changing from d/d to d/dq by using

tot
=
_
1
1
d(cos )
_
2
0
d
d
d
=
_
q
max
q
min
dq
d
dq
where q
2
= 2k
2
(1 cos ), giving q
min
= 0 for cos = 1 and q
max
= 4k
2
for cos = 1 as well
as 2qdq = 2k
2
d(cos ), providing the nal result
d
dq
= 2
d(cos )
dq
d
d
= 2
q
k
2
d
d
=
2
k
2
_
2mV
0

2
_
2
4 q a
6
(1 + 4k
2
a
2
sin
2
/2)
4

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