Physics 215 – Quantum Mechanics 1

Assignment 5
Logan A. Morrison

February 10, 2016

Problem 1
A particle of mass m is confined to a one-dimensional region 0 ≤ x ≤ a. At t = 0 its normalized wave function
is
r   πx   πx 
8
ψ(x, t = 0) = 1 + cos sin (1)
5a a a

Part (a)

What is the wave function at a later time t = t0

Solution

The potential function for this problem is


0
 0≤x≤a
V(x) = 

(2)
∞
 0

p̂2
and the Hamiltonian in the region 0 ≤ x ≤ a is just Ĥ = . Recal the energy eigenfunctions for this potential
2m
are
r
2  nπx 
hx|ni = sin (3)
L a
with the energy eigen values being

n2 π2 ~2
En = (4)
2ma2
Logan A. Morrison Assignment 5 – Problem 1 Page 2 / 11

Now, if we look at our intial wave function, we can see that it is just the sum of the first two energy eigen-
states:
r  πx  r 8  πx   πx 
8
ψ(x, t = 0) = sin + cos sin (5)
5a a 5a a a
r r  πx  r 4 1 r 2 !
4 2 2πx
= sin + sin (6)
5 a a 52 a a
r r
4 1
= hx|1i + hx|2i (7)
5 5
(8)

and hence
r r
4 1
|ψ; t = 0i = |1i + |2i (9)
5 5
(10)

Since the Hamiltonian is time-independent, the time evolution operator is given by

 iHt 
U(t; 0) = exp − (11)
~
Therefore, the wavefunction at time t = t0 is

|ψ; t = t0 i = U(t0 ; 0) |ψ; t = 0i (12)

 iHt   r 4 r
1

0 
= exp − |1i +


 |2i (13)
~ 5 5
r r
4  iE1 t0  1  iE t 
2 0
= exp − |1i + exp − |2i (14)
5 ~ 5 ~
r r
i~π2 t0 2iπ2 ~t0
! !
4 1
= exp − |1i + exp − |2i (15)
5 2ma2 5 ma2
(16)

Part (b)

What is the average energy of the system at t = 0 and at t = t0 ?

Logan A. Morrison Assignment 5 – Problem 1 Page 3 / 11

Solution

The average energy is given by hψ| H |ψi. At time t = 0, the average energy is
r r  r r 
 4 1   4 1
hψ; 0| H |ψ; 0i =  h1| + |1i +

h2| H  |2i (17)
5 5 5 5
r r r r 
 4 1   4 1
=  h1| + E1 |1i +

h2|  E2 |2i (18)
5 5 5 5
4 1
= E1 + E2 (19)
5 5
4~π2 2
1 4~2 π2
= + (20)
5 2ma2 5 2ma2
4π2 ~2
= (21)
5ma2
(22)

The average energy at time t = t0 is

r r ! 
2 2
!
 4 i~π t 0 1 2iπ ~t0
hψ; t| H |ψ; ti =  +

exp h1| exp h2|  (23)
5 2ma2 5 ma2
r r ! 
2 2
!
 4 i~π t0 1 2iπ ~t0
+

× H  exp − |1i exp − |2i  (24)
5 2ma2 5 ma2
r r ! 
2 2
!
 4 i~π t 0 1 2iπ ~t0
=  h1| +

exp 2
exp 2
h2| (25)
5 2ma 5 ma
r r 
2 2
! !
 4 i~π t0 1 2iπ ~t0
+

×  exp − E 1 |1i exp − E 2 |2i  (26)
5 2ma2 5 ma2
4 ~2 π2 1 4~2 π2
= + (27)
5 2ma2 5 2ma2
4π2 ~2
= (28)
5ma2
(29)

Thus, the average energy doesn’t change with time!

Part (c)

What is the probability that the particle is found in the left half of the box (i.e. in the region 0 ≤ x ≤ a/2) at
t = t0 ?
Logan A. Morrison Assignment 5 – Problem 1 Page 4 / 11

Solution

The probability that the particle is in the left side of the box is calculated via
Z a/2
P(0 ≤ x ≤ a/2; t) = | hx|ψi |2 dx (30)
0
Z a/2  r !r  πx  r 1 !r !
 4 i~π2 t0 2 2iπ2 ~t0 2 2πx 
= exp sin + exp sin (31)
2ma2 ma2
 
0 5 a a 5 a a 
r
2
!r  πx  r 1 2
!r !
 4 i~π t0 2 2iπ ~t0 2 2πx
+

×  exp − sin exp − sin  dx (32)
5 2ma2 a a 5 ma2 a a 
2 πx
Z a/2 Z a/2 !
8   2 2 2πx
= sin dx + sin dx (33)
5a 0 a 5a 0 a
8 3iπ2 ~t0
!
3iπ2 ~t0
!! Z a/2
2πx
!  πx 
+ exp + exp − sin sin dx (34)
5a 2ma2 2ma2 0 a a
3π2 ~t0
!
1 16
= + cos (35)
2 15π 2ma2

where we use Mathematica to solve the integral.

Logan A. Morrison Assignment 5 – Problem 2 Page 5 / 11

Problem 2
1
A particle of mass M is in a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator potential V1 = kx2 .It is initially in its ground
2
state,
Mω0 x2
!
hx|ψi = ψ0 (x) = A(M, ω0 ) exp − (36)
2~

Part (a)

What is A(M, ω0 ) if the wavefunction is normalized?

Solution

If the solution is normalized, then hψ|ψi = 1:

1 = hψ|ψi (37)
Z ∞
= dx hψ|xi hx|ψi (38)
−∞
Z ∞
Mω0 x2
!
= A (M, ω0 )
2
exp − dx (39)
−∞ ~
s
π~
= A2 (M, ω0 ) (40)
Mω0

where we have used the well-known result that

π
Z ∞  
r
exp −ax2 dx = (41)
−∞ a
and hence,
 Mω 1/4
0
A(M, ω0 ) = (42)
π~

Part (b)

The spring constant is suddenly doubled (k → 2k) so that the new potential is V2 = kx2 . The particle’s energy is
then measured. What is the probability for finding that particle in the ground state of the new potential V2 ?

Solution

If the systems
√ characteristic ”spring constant”
√ is suddenly doubled, then the angular frequency will increase by a
factor of 2 since, by definition, ω0 = k/m. Thus, the new ground state wave function will be
√ 1/4  √ 
 2Mω0  2Mω0 x2 
φ0 (x) = hx|φi = 

 exp − (43)
π~

2~
Logan A. Morrison Assignment 5 – Problem 2 Page 6 / 11

Now, we want to calculate the probability that the state is in the new ground state immediately after the spring
constant is doubled. Immediately after the spring constant is doubled, we know that the state of our system hasn’t
yet changed. In other words, it will still be in the old ground state. To calculate the probability of measuring the
groundstate energy, we must then compute the overlap of the old ground state and the new: hφ|ψi
Z ∞
hφ|ψi = dx hφ|xi hx|ψi (44)
−∞
 Mω 1/4  √2Mω 1/4 Z ∞  √
2Mω0 x2 

Mω0 x2
!
0 0
=

exp −  exp − dx (45)
 
π~ π~

2~ 2~

−∞
 √
 Mω 1/2 Z ∞ +

2
0 ( 2 1)Mω0 x
= 21/8

exp −  dx (46)
 
π~ −∞ 2~
s
 Mω 1/2 2~π
0
= 21/8 √ (47)
π~ Mω0 ( 2 + 1)
s
2
= 21/8 √ (48)
( 2 + 1)
(49)

Thus, the probability the energy of the particle will be measured to be the new ground state energy will be

25/4
| hφ|ψi |2 = √ = 0.9852 (50)
2+1

and hence, the probability that the energy will be measured to be the groundstate energy is 98.52%.

Part (c)

The spring constant is suddenly doubled as in part (2), so that V1 suddenly becomes V2 , but the energy of the
particle in the new potential is not measured. Instead, after a time T has elapsed since the doubling of the spring
constant, the spring constant is suddenly restored back to the original value. For what values of T would the initial
ground state in V1 be restored with 100% certainty?

Solution

Let {|n0 i} be the set of new energy eigenstate of the system. Let |0i be the old groundstate. Now suppose we
double the spring constant and then let the system evolve for T seconds. Then, the state of the system will be
given by

|ψ; T i = U |ψ; 0i (51)

 iH T 
2
= exp − |0i (52)
~
p̂2
where |ψ; 0i is the state of the system at t = 0 and and H2 = + k x̂2 . What we wish to cacluate is the probability
2m
that the old groundstate energy will be measured once the system is reverted back after T seconds. This is simply
| h0|ψ; ti |2 . If we require that this is equal to 1, then this is equivalent to saying |ψ; ti = |0i (this is because the old
energy eigenstates are non-degenerate, so if we are to measure the old groundstate energy with 100% efficienty,
Logan A. Morrison Assignment 5 – Problem 2 Page 7 / 11

that means the state has to be the old ground state.) Let’s re-write the state of our system at time T in the basis of
new energy eigenstates:
 iH T 
2
|ψ; T i = exp − |0i (53)
~
X∞  iH T 
2
= exp − |n0 i hn0 |0i (54)
n =0
0 ~
X∞  iE 0 T 
n
= exp − |n0 i hn0 |0i (55)
n0 =0
~
The old ground state, written in terms of the new energy eigenstates is simply,
∞
X
|0i = |n0 i hn0 |0i (56)
n0 =0

Now since we want |ψ; T i and |0i to be equal, the coefficients in the expansion in the new energy eigenstate basis
for these two states have to be the same.The only expection to this is that the states are equal up to an overall
phase. In that case, |0i = eiα |ψ; T i and then each coefficient would differ by the phase factor eiα . That is, for every
n0 ,
 iE 0 T   iE 0 T 
n n
eiα exp − hn0 |0i = hn0 |0i =⇒ exp − + iα = 1 (57)
~ ~
as long as hn0 |0i = 0. However, note that
Z ∞
hn |0i =
0
dx hn0 |xi hx|0i (58)
−∞

and hn |xi is an even function for even n and an odd function for n0 odd (this is because the Hermite polynomials
0 0

follow this rule). Also, hx|0i is an even function. Recall that the product of and even and odd function is an odd
function and the integral of an odd function over and even interval is zero. Therefore, hn0 |0i = 0 for odd n0 . It is
also non-zero for even n0 . Thus for even n0 , we have
En0 T
+ α = 2mπ (59)
~
√
Let n0 = 2` where ` is an integer. Recall that En0 = 2~ω0 (n0 + 1/2). Now,
En0 T
2mπ = +α (60)
√~
2mπ = 2ω0 T (2` + 1/2) + α (61)
√ ω0 T
mπ = 2ω0 T ` + √ + α (62)
2
ω0 T
Since we can choose α to be anything, choose it to be α = − √ (this isn’t necessary, but is convenient ). Then
2
our requirement that we will measure |0i with 100% efficiency is
√
2mπ = 2 2ω0 T ` (63)
√
To have a solution to this equation, 2T ω0 has to be an integer multiple of π. If it is, then there is a solution for
every `. Therefore, we will have 100% efficientcy when
π
T= √ k (64)
2ω0
where k is a non-negative integer.
Logan A. Morrison Assignment 5 – Problem 3 Page 8 / 11

Problem 3
A particle of mass m bound in a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator potential of frequency ω and in the ground
state is subjected to an impulsive force pδ(t). Find the probability it remains in its ground state.

Solution

Immediately after the impulse force, the space is the same, but it has obtained a momentum p. That is, immediately
after the impulse force, the state is

mωx2
 mω 1/4 !
ψ(x) = exp ipx/~ − (65)
~π 2~

But let’s prove this. We know that the force acting on the system is F = pδ(t). The potential resulting in this force
is V(x, t) = pδ(t)x. Thus, our Hamilitonian is

p̂2 1
H= + mω2 x̂2 − pδ(t) x̂ (66)
2m 2
Since the delta function is zero for all times except t = 0, the Hamiltonian commutes with itself at different times.
Therefore, the time evolution operator is given by

i t p̂2 1
Z ! !
U = exp − + mω x̂ − pδ(t ) x̂ dt0
2 2 0
(67)
~ t0 2m 2
i p̂2 1
! !
ip
= exp − + mω x̂ (t − t0 ) + x̂
2 2
(68)
~ 2m 2 ~
(69)

Now,

ψ(x, t) = hx| U(t, t0 ) |ψ; t0 i (70)

i p̂2 1
! !
ip
= hx| exp − + mω2 x̂2 (t − t0 ) + x̂ |ψ; t0 i (71)
~ 2m 2 ~

Now, for arbitrary time, this formula is a mess. But, we can see that if we let t, t0 → 0, then, immediately after the
impluse, the wave function is
 ip 
ψ(x, t → 0) = hx| exp x̂ |ψ; t0 → 0i (72)
~
 ip 
= exp x hx|ψ; t0 i (73)
~
mωx2
 ip   mω 1/4 !
= exp x exp − (74)
~ ~π 2~
mωx2
 mω 1/4 !
ip
= exp x− (75)
~π ~ 2~
(76)
Logan A. Morrison Assignment 5 – Problem 3 Page 9 / 11

The probability amplitude that the state is still in the ground state immediately after the impulse force is thus:
Z ∞
hψ; t0 → 0|ψ; t → 0i = hψ; t0 → 0|xi hx|ψ; t → 0i (77)
−∞
 mω 1/2 Z ∞ mωx2
!
ipx mωx2
!
= exp − exp − (78)
~π −∞ 2~ ~ 2~
 mω 1/2 Z ∞ ipx mωx 2
!
= exp − (79)
~π −∞ ~ ~
 mω 1/2 Z ∞ mω  ip 2 p2
!
= exp − x− − (80)
~π −∞ ~ 2mω 4mω~
Z ∞
2
ip 2
! 1/2
!
p mω  mω 
= exp − exp − x− (81)
4mω~ ~π −∞ ~ 2mω
1/2
p2 mω 1/2 π~
!   !
= exp − (82)
4mω~ ~π mω
2
!
p
= exp − (83)
4mω~

and hence the probability the ground state remains in the ground state immediately after the impulse force is

p2
!
| hψ; t0 → 0|ψ; t → 0i | = exp −
2
(84)
2mω~
Logan A. Morrison Assignment 5 – Problem 4 Page 10 / 11

Problem 4
For electronic states in a one-dimensional system, a simple model Hamiltonian is

N
X N
X
H= E0 |ni hn| + W(|n + 1i hn| + |ni hn + 1|) (85)
n=1 n=1

where {|ni} is an orthonormal basis,hn|n0 i = δnn0 and E0 and W are parameters. Assume periodic boundary
conditions so that |N + ji = | ji. Calculate the energy levels and wave functions.

Let’s find the eigenfunctions of this Hamiltonian. Let |Ei be the energy eigenket corresponding to energy E.
Expanding these energy eigenkets in terms of the basis {|ni}, we have
N
X
|Ei = Cm(E) |mi (86)
n=0

Now, let’s solve the energy eigenvalue problem (E |Ei = E |Ei)

 N N
 N
X X  X (E)
H |Ei =  E0 |ni hn| + W(|n + 1i hn| + |ni hn + 1|) Cm |mi (87)
n=1 n=1 n=0
N X
X N N X
X N  
= E0 |ni hn|mi c(E)
m + W m |n + 1i hn|mi + cm |ni hn + 1|mi
c(E) (E)
(88)
n=1 m=1 n=1 m=1
N
X N 
X 
= E0 c(E)
m |mi + W m−1 |mi + cm+1 |mi
c(E) (E)
(89)
m=1 m=1
(90)
and this has to be equal to E |Ei. That is
N
X N 
X N
X
E0 c(E)
m |mi + W cm−1 |mi + cm+1 |mi
(E) (E)
c(E)
m |ni (91)
m=1 m=1 m=1

Since the function |ni are orthonormal, we can conclude that

 (E) 
m |mi + W cm−1 |mi + cm+1 |mi = Ecm
(E)
E0 c(E) (E)
(92)

But recall that we have periodic boundary conditions. I.e. |N + ji = | ji. This implies that c(E)
N+ j = c j . Now
(E)

m = a where a is some
recursion relations like the one we have above are typically solved by assumed that c(E) m

complex number. From the periodic boundary conditions, we see that aN = 1. From complex analysis, we know
the the N th root of 1 is
a = e2πik/N (93)
where k ∈ {1, 2, . . . , N}. Note the k could be any integer, but, the solutions repeat after k = N. Now, plugging in
m = e
c(E) 2πimk/N
, we find
 
E0 e2πimk/N + W e2πi(m+1)k/N + e2πi(m−1)k/N = Ee2πimk/N (94)
Logan A. Morrison Assignment 5 – Problem 4 Page 11 / 11

Dividing by e2πimk/N and using the fact that 2 cos(θ) = eiθ + e−iθ , we find that the N engery levels are

Ek = 2W cos(2πik/N) + E0 for k ∈ {1, 2, . . . , N} (95)

We can now write down the energy eigen fucntions as well:

N
 0  X
Ek = c(E
n
k)
|ni (96)
n=1
N
X
= e2πikn/N |ni (97)
n=1
(98)

We have used E 0 for our states here instead of E since these aren’t properly normalized. The norm of these states
is
 N X
X N
Ek0 Ek0 = e−2πikm/N e2πikn/N hm|ni


(99)
m=1 n=1
XN X N
= e−2πikn/N e2πikn/N δmn (100)
m=1 n=1
XN X N
= (101)
m=1 n=1
=N (102)

Thens, the properly normalized energy eigenstates are

N
X e2πikn/N
|Ek i = √ |ni and k ∈ {1, 2, . . . , N} (103)
n=1 N