Quantum Physics 141

Problem Set 1
National Institute of Physics

(Dated: August 18, 2017)

Deadline: 30 August 2016 Although plane waves are stationary states of the Hamil-
tonian H a linear combination or integrated combination
of several plane waves may not be stationary.
I. COMPLETENESS [10 pts]

Let the elements of a state ket basis {|ki} be labeled

by a real number k. The completeness relation reads:
Z
11 = dk |ki hk| . (1)

Prove that hk|k 0 i = (k k 0 ).

II. FOURIER BASIS [10 pts]

Let hx|ki = eikx /(2)3/2 with {|ki} and {|xi} com-

plete bases sets as above, except that k and x are
real three-dimensional vectors. Prove that the functions
hk|i and hx|i are three-dimensional Fourier transforms
of each other.

III. WAVEPACKET [20 pts]

At some initial time

t = 0 the wavefunction of a free
H = ~2 Dx2 /(2m) particle of mass m is
2 2
e(xx0 ) /(4 )
(x, 0) = . (2)
(2 2 )1/4

For this problem you will need to evaluate Gaussian in-

tegrals and/or be familiar with gamma functions.

10 pts Verify that this wavefunction is normalized and cal-

culate the uncertainty in measuring the position x2
at t = 0. If 2 is finite, the wavefunction is said to
be localized.

20 pts The set of plane waves {eikx / 2} are solutions to
the eigenvalue equation H(x) = E(x) with the
energy eigenvalue E and wavevector k related by
E = ~2 k 2 /(2m). Obtain the full time dependence
of the wavefunction (x, t). Hint: Decompose the
initial wavefunction in the Fourier basis (basis of
plane waves) and evaluate the resulting integral.

20 pts Prove that the wavefunction (a Gaussian

wavepacket) disperses (spreads) in time by
calculating the x2 as a function of time t.