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PQM3pdf

The document outlines a series of problems related to principles of quantum mechanics, focusing on angular momentum, spin states, Hamiltonians, and perturbation theory. It includes tasks such as expressing combined states, analyzing particle decays, and calculating energy changes due to perturbations. The problems are intended for students to deepen their understanding of quantum mechanics concepts and applications.

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12 views

PQM3pdf

The document outlines a series of problems related to principles of quantum mechanics, focusing on angular momentum, spin states, Hamiltonians, and perturbation theory. It includes tasks such as expressing combined states, analyzing particle decays, and calculating energy changes due to perturbations. The problems are intended for students to deepen their understanding of quantum mechanics concepts and applications.

Uploaded by

derekdereklch
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Prof. E.

Pajer PQM 3 Michaelmas 2024

Principles of Quantum Mechanics - Problems 3


Please email me with any comments about these problems, particularly if you spot an error. Problems with an
asterisk (∗) may be more difficult.

1. Consider the addition of angular momentum 3 to angular momentum 1. Express the states

|4, 4i, |4, 3i, |3, 3i, |3, 2i, |2, 2i and |2, 1i

of the combined system in terms of the states of the subsystems.

2. States |s, σi are formed by combining the states |1, σ1 i, |1, σ2 i of two subsystems, each of spin 1.

i) Show that the states of the combined system with s = 2 or 0 are symmetric under the interchange
σ1 ↔ σ2 , whereas those with s = 1 are antisymmetric.
ii) Two identical spin 1 particles, whose centre of mass is at rest, have combined spin S, relative orbital
angular momentum L and total angular momentum J = L + S. Let (j, `, s) denote the quantum
numbers corresponding to the operators (J2 , L2 , S2 ) of the combined system. Show that ` + s must
be even. If j = 1, what are the possible values of ` and s?

3. Three spin 1 particles are governed by the Hamiltonian H = 2λ/~2 (S1 · S2 + S2 · S3 + S3 · S1 ), where


Si is the spin operator of the ith particle and λ is a positive constant. Find the eigenvalues and corre-
sponding degeneracies of the Hamiltonian in the cases that

i) each particle is distinguishable,


ii) all three particles are identical and all have the same spatial wavefunction.

4. Consider the isotropic harmonic oscillator in three dimensions, with potential V (X) = V0 + 21 mω 2 X2 .

i) Write down the allowed energy eigenvalues. What is the degeneracy of the nth level?
ii*) In a simple model of the atomic nucleus, each nucleon (proton or neutron, each with spin- 12 ) moves
in the harmonic potential V (X) above, interpreted as being created by the other nucleons. Suggest
why the nuclear isotopes 4 He, 16 O and 40 Ca are especially stable. [Helium, oxygen and calcium
nuclei contain 2, 8 and 20 protons, respectively. All protons are identical.]

In the next two questions, you should assume that both total angular momentum and parity are conserved in
each decay process.

5. i) Show that a particle of spin 1 cannot decay into two identical particles of spin 0. The ρ-meson
has spin-1 and can decay into two spinless π-mesons (pions) with different electric charges. If the
intrinsic parity of any pion is negative, what is the intrinsic parity of the ρ-meson?
ii) A particle X is observed to undergo the decays X → ρ+ + π + and X → K + K, where the kaon K
has spin-0. What is the lowest value of the spin of X that is consistent with this, and what is the
corresponding intrinsic parity of X?
Prof. E. Pajer PQM 3 Michaelmas 2024

6. A d = 1 harmonic oscillator of mass m and frequency ω is perturbed by ∆ = λX4 . Show that the first
order change in energy of the nth excited state is
 2
2 ~
δEn = 3λ (2n + 2n + 1) .
2mω
What is the radius of convergence (in λ) of the perturbation series?

7. A particle of mass m is confined by the infinite square well potential


(
0 when |x| < a
V (x) =
∞ when |x| > a .

The potential is perturbed by δV (x) = λx/a.

i) Show that the energy levels of this particle are unchanged to first order in λ.
ii) Show that the ground state wavefunction is changed, becoming
1 16λ X n
ψλ (x) = √ cos(πx/2a) + 2 √ (−1)n/2 2 sin(nπx/2a) + O(λ2 )
a π E1 a (n − 1)3
n=2,4,...

where E1 is the ground state energy. Explain why this wavefunction does not have well–defined
parity.
iii) Write down a formula giving the second order correction to the energy of the ground state energy.
Will this second order correction be positive or negative? [Detailed calculation is not required.]
iv*) Suppose now that the initial well is only finitely deep. Will perturbation theory converge? Comment
on the relevance of this to the Stark effect in hydrogen.

8. An atomic nucleus has finite size and inside the electrostatic potential Φ(r) deviates from Ze/r. Take the
proton’s radius to be ap ≈ 10−15 m and its charge density to be uniformly distributed over its surface.
Treating the difference between Φ(r) and Ze/r as a perturbation of the Hamiltonian for the gross
structure of Hydrogen, calculate the first order change in the energy of the ground state of hydrogen.
[Use the fact that ap  a0 (the Bohr radius) to approximate the integral you encounter.]
Why is the change in energy of any state with ` ≥ 1 extremely small?

9. An isotropic harmonic oscillator in d = 2 has mass m and frequency ω.

i) Write down a basis of its energy eigenstates.


ii) What is the energy and degeneracy of the nth excited state?
iii) The oscillator is perturbed by a small potential δV = λxy. Calculate the change in the ground
state energy to second order in λ. Moreover, show that this perturbation lifts the degeneracy of
the first excited level, producing states with energies 2~ω ± λ~/2mω. What are the corresponding
eigenstates?
iv) Which (if any) states remain degenerate in the presence of this perturbation?
v*) What is the radius of convergence (in λ) of this perturbation series?

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