Mathematical Physics I (PS417): Jul - Dec 2019

Assignment 2

Due date : 09 Sept 2019

Topics: Linear operators, matrices for linear operators. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Sim-
ilarity transformation, (matrix) diagonalization. Special matrices: Normal, Hermitian and
Unitary matrices.

1. Consider two linear operators : electric charge operator Q and charge conjugation operator
C. If ψq is an eigenstate of Q corresponding to eigenvalue q, i.e.,

Q|ψq i = q|ψq i (1)

then the action of C on |ψq i leads to

C|ψq i = |ψ−q i (2)

The new state |ψ−q i is an eigenstate of Q corresponding to eigenvalue −q

Q|ψ−q i = −q|ψ−q i (3)

(i) Find the eigenvalues of the operator CQ + QC, CQ2 + Q2 C and C 2 Q + QC 2 . (Note
that C 2 = I)
(ii) Can a state simultaneously be an eigenstate of C and of Q ?

2. Consider three n × n matrices X, Y , and Z obeying

[X, Y ] = 0, [X, Z] = 0, [Y, Z] 6= 0 (4)

Show that at least one eigenvalue of X is degenerate. Why is [Y, Z] 6= 0 crucial in

establishing this ?

3. (i) Express the eigenvalues for a general 2 × 2 matrix H in terms of Trace of H and
Determinant of H.
(ii) An ammonia molecule (N H3 ) has an electric dipole moment d which points away
from the plane of the hydrogen atoms and toward the lone nitrogen atom. The
ammonia molecule can be approximated to exist be in one of the two symmetric
states shown below :
3. NH3 in an Electric Field
An ammonia molecule has an electric dipole moment d which points away from the plane of the hy
drogen atoms and toward the lone nitrogen atom. The ammonia molecule can be approximated t
exist be in one of two symmetric states:

Figure 1: Depiction of two states of N H3 molecule in an electric field.

Figure 1: Feynman’s depiction of two states of NH3 molecule in an electric field.
When the molecule is placed in a non-uniform electric field E, the dipole moment
When the molecule is to
leads placed in aperturbation
an energy non-uniform electric
of the fieldThe
molecule. E, the dipole moment
Hamiltonian leads to an energ
of the ammonia
perturbation of the molecule.
molecule We can write
in a non-uniform fieldthe Hamiltonian
is expressed as (which we will learn represents the energy
of the ammonia molecule in a non-uniform field as !
✓ E0 + dε −A ◆
H= E0 + −A dE A (5)
H= E0 − dε (11
A E0 dE
where E0 and A have units of energy and the Hamiltonian is written in the {|φ1 i, |φ2 i}
where E0 and A have
basis. units of energy, the Hamiltonian is in the {|'1 i, |'2 i} basis.
(a) Compute the energy
Find eigenvalues
the energy eigenvaluesE+ E+and
and E of the
E− for thisabove
Hamiltonian
Hamiltonian matrix. (Youthe
matrix using do not need t
compute theformula
corresponding
obtained instates
(i). |'+ i and |' i.)
(b) Taking |dE| ⌧ |A|, compute
(iii) Compute the energythe energy eigenvalues
eigenvalues to lowest
to the lowest order in ε inorder in E.|dε| << |A|.
the limit
(c) Let’s interpret these
(iv) These energy
energy eigenvalues
eigenvalues can beasinterpreted
potential energies.
as potentialWe prepareWe
energies. a beam
prepareof aNH3 molecu
in the state |beam
i =of N
p1 1
|' i + 2 |'+ini,the
p
2 H3 molecules
andstate
pass|ψithe
= beam
√1 (|φ−through
i + |φ+ i), aand
monotonically
pass the beamincreasing (i
the z direction) electric field, E(z),increasing
which is(inperpendicular
the z direction) to the beam direction
which .is (Assume th
2
through a monotonically electric field, ε(z),
electric dipoles of the molecule
perpendicular to the beamaredirection.
parallel Assume
to the field). What
the electric happens
dipoles of the to the beam
molecule are in the fiel
region? parallel to the field. What happens to the beam in the field region ?