csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given...

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Today’s Outline - February 19, 2014 C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 1 / 15

Transcript of csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given...

Page 1: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Today’s Outline - February 19, 2014

• Problem 7.15

• WKB Approximation

Midterm Exam #1Monday, February 24, 2014Covers through HW #04

Tutoring sessions:Thursday & Friday, 12:00–13:45, 121 E1

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 1 / 15

Page 2: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Today’s Outline - February 19, 2014

• Problem 7.15

• WKB Approximation

Midterm Exam #1Monday, February 24, 2014Covers through HW #04

Tutoring sessions:Thursday & Friday, 12:00–13:45, 121 E1

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 1 / 15

Page 3: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Today’s Outline - February 19, 2014

• Problem 7.15

• WKB Approximation

Midterm Exam #1Monday, February 24, 2014Covers through HW #04

Tutoring sessions:Thursday & Friday, 12:00–13:45, 121 E1

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 1 / 15

Page 4: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Today’s Outline - February 19, 2014

• Problem 7.15

• WKB Approximation

Midterm Exam #1Monday, February 24, 2014Covers through HW #04

Tutoring sessions:Thursday & Friday, 12:00–13:45, 121 E1

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 1 / 15

Page 5: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Today’s Outline - February 19, 2014

• Problem 7.15

• WKB Approximation

Midterm Exam #1Monday, February 24, 2014Covers through HW #04

Tutoring sessions:Thursday & Friday, 12:00–13:45, 121 E1

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 1 / 15

Page 6: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Today’s Outline - February 19, 2014

• Problem 7.15

• WKB Approximation

Midterm Exam #1Monday, February 24, 2014Covers through HW #04

Tutoring sessions:Thursday & Friday, 12:00–13:45, 121 E1

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 1 / 15

Page 7: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15

Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H0 admitsjust two eigenstates, ψa (with energy Ea) and ψb (with energy Eb). Theyare orthogonal, normalized and non-degenerate (assume Ea < Eb). Nowturn on a perturbation H ′, with the following matrix elements:⟨

H ′⟩

=

(0 hh 0

), h = constant

a. Find the exact eigenvalues of the perturbing Hamiltonian.

b. Estimate the energies of the perturbed system using second-orderperturbation theory.

c. Estimate the ground state energy of the pertirbed system using thevariational principle with a trial wavefuction of the form

ψ = (cosφ)ψa + (sinφ)ψb

where φ is an adjustable parameter.

d. Compare the answers to the sections above.

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 2 / 15

Page 8: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

a. Start by solving the eigenvaluedeterminant

this is simply a quadratic equation

0 =

∣∣∣∣ Ea − λ hh Eb − λ

∣∣∣∣0 = (Ea − λ)(Eb − λ)− h2

0 = λ2 − (Ea + Eb)λ+ EaEb − h2

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Ea + Eb)2 − 4EaEb + 4h2

]=

1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]b. The first order perturbation correction is zero as can be seen from thematrix for H ′ which has zero in the diagonal elements. The second orderperturbation correction is

E 2a =| 〈ψb|H ′|ψa〉 |2

Ea − Eb= − h2

Eb − Ea; E 2

b =h2

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 3 / 15

Page 9: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

a. Start by solving the eigenvaluedeterminant

this is simply a quadratic equation

0 =

∣∣∣∣ Ea − λ hh Eb − λ

∣∣∣∣

0 = (Ea − λ)(Eb − λ)− h2

0 = λ2 − (Ea + Eb)λ+ EaEb − h2

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Ea + Eb)2 − 4EaEb + 4h2

]=

1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]b. The first order perturbation correction is zero as can be seen from thematrix for H ′ which has zero in the diagonal elements. The second orderperturbation correction is

E 2a =| 〈ψb|H ′|ψa〉 |2

Ea − Eb= − h2

Eb − Ea; E 2

b =h2

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 3 / 15

Page 10: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

a. Start by solving the eigenvaluedeterminant

this is simply a quadratic equation

0 =

∣∣∣∣ Ea − λ hh Eb − λ

∣∣∣∣0 = (Ea − λ)(Eb − λ)− h2

0 = λ2 − (Ea + Eb)λ+ EaEb − h2

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Ea + Eb)2 − 4EaEb + 4h2

]=

1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]b. The first order perturbation correction is zero as can be seen from thematrix for H ′ which has zero in the diagonal elements. The second orderperturbation correction is

E 2a =| 〈ψb|H ′|ψa〉 |2

Ea − Eb= − h2

Eb − Ea; E 2

b =h2

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 3 / 15

Page 11: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

a. Start by solving the eigenvaluedeterminant

this is simply a quadratic equation

0 =

∣∣∣∣ Ea − λ hh Eb − λ

∣∣∣∣0 = (Ea − λ)(Eb − λ)− h2

0 = λ2 − (Ea + Eb)λ+ EaEb − h2

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Ea + Eb)2 − 4EaEb + 4h2

]=

1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]b. The first order perturbation correction is zero as can be seen from thematrix for H ′ which has zero in the diagonal elements. The second orderperturbation correction is

E 2a =| 〈ψb|H ′|ψa〉 |2

Ea − Eb= − h2

Eb − Ea; E 2

b =h2

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 3 / 15

Page 12: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

a. Start by solving the eigenvaluedeterminant

this is simply a quadratic equation

0 =

∣∣∣∣ Ea − λ hh Eb − λ

∣∣∣∣0 = (Ea − λ)(Eb − λ)− h2

0 = λ2 − (Ea + Eb)λ+ EaEb − h2

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Ea + Eb)2 − 4EaEb + 4h2

]=

1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]b. The first order perturbation correction is zero as can be seen from thematrix for H ′ which has zero in the diagonal elements. The second orderperturbation correction is

E 2a =| 〈ψb|H ′|ψa〉 |2

Ea − Eb= − h2

Eb − Ea; E 2

b =h2

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 3 / 15

Page 13: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

a. Start by solving the eigenvaluedeterminant

this is simply a quadratic equation

0 =

∣∣∣∣ Ea − λ hh Eb − λ

∣∣∣∣0 = (Ea − λ)(Eb − λ)− h2

0 = λ2 − (Ea + Eb)λ+ EaEb − h2

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Ea + Eb)2 − 4EaEb + 4h2

]

=1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]b. The first order perturbation correction is zero as can be seen from thematrix for H ′ which has zero in the diagonal elements. The second orderperturbation correction is

E 2a =| 〈ψb|H ′|ψa〉 |2

Ea − Eb= − h2

Eb − Ea; E 2

b =h2

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 3 / 15

Page 14: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

a. Start by solving the eigenvaluedeterminant

this is simply a quadratic equation

0 =

∣∣∣∣ Ea − λ hh Eb − λ

∣∣∣∣0 = (Ea − λ)(Eb − λ)− h2

0 = λ2 − (Ea + Eb)λ+ EaEb − h2

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Ea + Eb)2 − 4EaEb + 4h2

]=

1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]

b. The first order perturbation correction is zero as can be seen from thematrix for H ′ which has zero in the diagonal elements. The second orderperturbation correction is

E 2a =| 〈ψb|H ′|ψa〉 |2

Ea − Eb= − h2

Eb − Ea; E 2

b =h2

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 3 / 15

Page 15: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

a. Start by solving the eigenvaluedeterminant

this is simply a quadratic equation

0 =

∣∣∣∣ Ea − λ hh Eb − λ

∣∣∣∣0 = (Ea − λ)(Eb − λ)− h2

0 = λ2 − (Ea + Eb)λ+ EaEb − h2

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Ea + Eb)2 − 4EaEb + 4h2

]=

1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]b. The first order perturbation correction is zero as can be seen from thematrix for H ′ which has zero in the diagonal elements.

The second orderperturbation correction is

E 2a =| 〈ψb|H ′|ψa〉 |2

Ea − Eb= − h2

Eb − Ea; E 2

b =h2

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 3 / 15

Page 16: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

a. Start by solving the eigenvaluedeterminant

this is simply a quadratic equation

0 =

∣∣∣∣ Ea − λ hh Eb − λ

∣∣∣∣0 = (Ea − λ)(Eb − λ)− h2

0 = λ2 − (Ea + Eb)λ+ EaEb − h2

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Ea + Eb)2 − 4EaEb + 4h2

]=

1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]b. The first order perturbation correction is zero as can be seen from thematrix for H ′ which has zero in the diagonal elements. The second orderperturbation correction is

E 2a =| 〈ψb|H ′|ψa〉 |2

Ea − Eb= − h2

Eb − Ea; E 2

b =h2

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 3 / 15

Page 17: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

a. Start by solving the eigenvaluedeterminant

this is simply a quadratic equation

0 =

∣∣∣∣ Ea − λ hh Eb − λ

∣∣∣∣0 = (Ea − λ)(Eb − λ)− h2

0 = λ2 − (Ea + Eb)λ+ EaEb − h2

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Ea + Eb)2 − 4EaEb + 4h2

]=

1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]b. The first order perturbation correction is zero as can be seen from thematrix for H ′ which has zero in the diagonal elements. The second orderperturbation correction is

E 2a =| 〈ψb|H ′|ψa〉 |2

Ea − Eb

= − h2

Eb − Ea; E 2

b =h2

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 3 / 15

Page 18: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

a. Start by solving the eigenvaluedeterminant

this is simply a quadratic equation

0 =

∣∣∣∣ Ea − λ hh Eb − λ

∣∣∣∣0 = (Ea − λ)(Eb − λ)− h2

0 = λ2 − (Ea + Eb)λ+ EaEb − h2

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Ea + Eb)2 − 4EaEb + 4h2

]=

1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]b. The first order perturbation correction is zero as can be seen from thematrix for H ′ which has zero in the diagonal elements. The second orderperturbation correction is

E 2a =| 〈ψb|H ′|ψa〉 |2

Ea − Eb= − h2

Eb − Ea;

E 2b =

h2

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 3 / 15

Page 19: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

a. Start by solving the eigenvaluedeterminant

this is simply a quadratic equation

0 =

∣∣∣∣ Ea − λ hh Eb − λ

∣∣∣∣0 = (Ea − λ)(Eb − λ)− h2

0 = λ2 − (Ea + Eb)λ+ EaEb − h2

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Ea + Eb)2 − 4EaEb + 4h2

]=

1

2

[(Ea + Eb)±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]b. The first order perturbation correction is zero as can be seen from thematrix for H ′ which has zero in the diagonal elements. The second orderperturbation correction is

E 2a =| 〈ψb|H ′|ψa〉 |2

Ea − Eb= − h2

Eb − Ea; E 2

b =h2

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 3 / 15

Page 20: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

The energies, to second order are thus

E− ≈ Ea −h2

Eb − Ea; E+ ≈ Eb +

h2

Eb − Ea

c. The expectation value of the Hamiltonian using the trial wavefunction is

〈H〉 =⟨cosφψa + sinφψb|H0 + H ′| cosφψa + sinφψb

⟩= cos2 φ 〈ψa|H0|ψa〉+ sin2 φ 〈ψb|H0|ψb〉

+ sinφ cosφ⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩+ sinφ cosφ

⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩= Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ 2h sinφ cosφ

minimizing

0 =∂ 〈H〉∂φ

= −Ea2 cosφ sinφ+ Eb2 sinφ cosφ+ 2h(cos2 φ− sin2 φ)

= (Eb − Ea) sin 2φ+ 2h cos 2φ −→ tan 2φ = − 2h

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 4 / 15

Page 21: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

The energies, to second order are thus

E− ≈ Ea −h2

Eb − Ea;

E+ ≈ Eb +h2

Eb − Ea

c. The expectation value of the Hamiltonian using the trial wavefunction is

〈H〉 =⟨cosφψa + sinφψb|H0 + H ′| cosφψa + sinφψb

⟩= cos2 φ 〈ψa|H0|ψa〉+ sin2 φ 〈ψb|H0|ψb〉

+ sinφ cosφ⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩+ sinφ cosφ

⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩= Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ 2h sinφ cosφ

minimizing

0 =∂ 〈H〉∂φ

= −Ea2 cosφ sinφ+ Eb2 sinφ cosφ+ 2h(cos2 φ− sin2 φ)

= (Eb − Ea) sin 2φ+ 2h cos 2φ −→ tan 2φ = − 2h

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 4 / 15

Page 22: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

The energies, to second order are thus

E− ≈ Ea −h2

Eb − Ea; E+ ≈ Eb +

h2

Eb − Ea

c. The expectation value of the Hamiltonian using the trial wavefunction is

〈H〉 =⟨cosφψa + sinφψb|H0 + H ′| cosφψa + sinφψb

⟩= cos2 φ 〈ψa|H0|ψa〉+ sin2 φ 〈ψb|H0|ψb〉

+ sinφ cosφ⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩+ sinφ cosφ

⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩= Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ 2h sinφ cosφ

minimizing

0 =∂ 〈H〉∂φ

= −Ea2 cosφ sinφ+ Eb2 sinφ cosφ+ 2h(cos2 φ− sin2 φ)

= (Eb − Ea) sin 2φ+ 2h cos 2φ −→ tan 2φ = − 2h

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 4 / 15

Page 23: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

The energies, to second order are thus

E− ≈ Ea −h2

Eb − Ea; E+ ≈ Eb +

h2

Eb − Ea

c. The expectation value of the Hamiltonian using the trial wavefunction is

〈H〉 =⟨cosφψa + sinφψb|H0 + H ′| cosφψa + sinφψb

⟩= cos2 φ 〈ψa|H0|ψa〉+ sin2 φ 〈ψb|H0|ψb〉

+ sinφ cosφ⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩+ sinφ cosφ

⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩= Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ 2h sinφ cosφ

minimizing

0 =∂ 〈H〉∂φ

= −Ea2 cosφ sinφ+ Eb2 sinφ cosφ+ 2h(cos2 φ− sin2 φ)

= (Eb − Ea) sin 2φ+ 2h cos 2φ −→ tan 2φ = − 2h

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 4 / 15

Page 24: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

The energies, to second order are thus

E− ≈ Ea −h2

Eb − Ea; E+ ≈ Eb +

h2

Eb − Ea

c. The expectation value of the Hamiltonian using the trial wavefunction is

〈H〉 =⟨cosφψa + sinφψb|H0 + H ′| cosφψa + sinφψb

= cos2 φ 〈ψa|H0|ψa〉+ sin2 φ 〈ψb|H0|ψb〉+ sinφ cosφ

⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩+ sinφ cosφ

⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩= Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ 2h sinφ cosφ

minimizing

0 =∂ 〈H〉∂φ

= −Ea2 cosφ sinφ+ Eb2 sinφ cosφ+ 2h(cos2 φ− sin2 φ)

= (Eb − Ea) sin 2φ+ 2h cos 2φ −→ tan 2φ = − 2h

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 4 / 15

Page 25: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

The energies, to second order are thus

E− ≈ Ea −h2

Eb − Ea; E+ ≈ Eb +

h2

Eb − Ea

c. The expectation value of the Hamiltonian using the trial wavefunction is

〈H〉 =⟨cosφψa + sinφψb|H0 + H ′| cosφψa + sinφψb

⟩= cos2 φ 〈ψa|H0|ψa〉+ sin2 φ 〈ψb|H0|ψb〉

+ sinφ cosφ⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩+ sinφ cosφ

⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

= Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ 2h sinφ cosφ

minimizing

0 =∂ 〈H〉∂φ

= −Ea2 cosφ sinφ+ Eb2 sinφ cosφ+ 2h(cos2 φ− sin2 φ)

= (Eb − Ea) sin 2φ+ 2h cos 2φ −→ tan 2φ = − 2h

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 4 / 15

Page 26: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

The energies, to second order are thus

E− ≈ Ea −h2

Eb − Ea; E+ ≈ Eb +

h2

Eb − Ea

c. The expectation value of the Hamiltonian using the trial wavefunction is

〈H〉 =⟨cosφψa + sinφψb|H0 + H ′| cosφψa + sinφψb

⟩= cos2 φ 〈ψa|H0|ψa〉+ sin2 φ 〈ψb|H0|ψb〉

+ sinφ cosφ⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩+ sinφ cosφ

⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩= Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ 2h sinφ cosφ

minimizing

0 =∂ 〈H〉∂φ

= −Ea2 cosφ sinφ+ Eb2 sinφ cosφ+ 2h(cos2 φ− sin2 φ)

= (Eb − Ea) sin 2φ+ 2h cos 2φ −→ tan 2φ = − 2h

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 4 / 15

Page 27: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

The energies, to second order are thus

E− ≈ Ea −h2

Eb − Ea; E+ ≈ Eb +

h2

Eb − Ea

c. The expectation value of the Hamiltonian using the trial wavefunction is

〈H〉 =⟨cosφψa + sinφψb|H0 + H ′| cosφψa + sinφψb

⟩= cos2 φ 〈ψa|H0|ψa〉+ sin2 φ 〈ψb|H0|ψb〉

+ sinφ cosφ⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩+ sinφ cosφ

⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩= Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ 2h sinφ cosφ

minimizing

0 =∂ 〈H〉∂φ

= −Ea2 cosφ sinφ+ Eb2 sinφ cosφ+ 2h(cos2 φ− sin2 φ)

= (Eb − Ea) sin 2φ+ 2h cos 2φ −→ tan 2φ = − 2h

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 4 / 15

Page 28: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

The energies, to second order are thus

E− ≈ Ea −h2

Eb − Ea; E+ ≈ Eb +

h2

Eb − Ea

c. The expectation value of the Hamiltonian using the trial wavefunction is

〈H〉 =⟨cosφψa + sinφψb|H0 + H ′| cosφψa + sinφψb

⟩= cos2 φ 〈ψa|H0|ψa〉+ sin2 φ 〈ψb|H0|ψb〉

+ sinφ cosφ⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩+ sinφ cosφ

⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩= Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ 2h sinφ cosφ

minimizing

0 =∂ 〈H〉∂φ

= −Ea2 cosφ sinφ+ Eb2 sinφ cosφ+ 2h(cos2 φ− sin2 φ)

= (Eb − Ea) sin 2φ+ 2h cos 2φ −→ tan 2φ = − 2h

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 4 / 15

Page 29: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

The energies, to second order are thus

E− ≈ Ea −h2

Eb − Ea; E+ ≈ Eb +

h2

Eb − Ea

c. The expectation value of the Hamiltonian using the trial wavefunction is

〈H〉 =⟨cosφψa + sinφψb|H0 + H ′| cosφψa + sinφψb

⟩= cos2 φ 〈ψa|H0|ψa〉+ sin2 φ 〈ψb|H0|ψb〉

+ sinφ cosφ⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩+ sinφ cosφ

⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩= Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ 2h sinφ cosφ

minimizing

0 =∂ 〈H〉∂φ

= −Ea2 cosφ sinφ+ Eb2 sinφ cosφ+ 2h(cos2 φ− sin2 φ)

= (Eb − Ea) sin 2φ+ 2h cos 2φ

−→ tan 2φ = − 2h

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 4 / 15

Page 30: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

The energies, to second order are thus

E− ≈ Ea −h2

Eb − Ea; E+ ≈ Eb +

h2

Eb − Ea

c. The expectation value of the Hamiltonian using the trial wavefunction is

〈H〉 =⟨cosφψa + sinφψb|H0 + H ′| cosφψa + sinφψb

⟩= cos2 φ 〈ψa|H0|ψa〉+ sin2 φ 〈ψb|H0|ψb〉

+ sinφ cosφ⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩+ sinφ cosφ

⟨ψa|H ′|ψb

⟩= Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ 2h sinφ cosφ

minimizing

0 =∂ 〈H〉∂φ

= −Ea2 cosφ sinφ+ Eb2 sinφ cosφ+ 2h(cos2 φ− sin2 φ)

= (Eb − Ea) sin 2φ+ 2h cos 2φ −→ tan 2φ = − 2h

Eb − Ea

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 4 / 15

Page 31: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 32: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ

=sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 33: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ

=sin 2φ√

1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 34: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 35: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 36: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 37: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 38: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 39: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 40: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2

=1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 41: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 42: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 43: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 44: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ),

sin2 φ =1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 45: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

defining

ε ≡ 2h

Eb − Ea

rearranging to solve forsin 2φ

similarly, we can solve forcos 2φ

− ε = tan 2φ =sin 2φ

cos 2φ=

sin 2φ√1− sin2 2φ

sin2 2φ = ε2(1− sin2 2φ)

sin2 2φ (1 + ε2) = ε2

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

cos2 2φ = 1− ε2

1 + ε2=

1

1 + ε2

cos 2φ =∓1√1 + ε2

thus, using the half-angle relations, we get expressions for sinφ and cosφneeded to compute the upper bound on the energy

cos2 φ =1

2(1 + cos 2φ), sin2 φ =

1

2(1− cos 2φ)

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 5 / 15

Page 46: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

cos2 φ =1

2

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

),

sin2 φ =1

2

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

), sin 2φ =

±ε√1 + ε2

substituting into the expectation value of the Hamiltonian

〈H〉 = Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ h sin 2φ

〈H〉min =1

2Ea

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

)+

1

2Eb

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

)± h

ε√1 + ε2

=1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

Eb − Ea + 2hε√1 + ε2

]

=1

2

Ea + Eb ±Eb − Ea + 2h 2h

Eb−Ea√1 + 4h2

(Eb−Ea)2

=

1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 6 / 15

Page 47: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

cos2 φ =1

2

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

), sin2 φ =

1

2

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

),

sin 2φ =±ε√

1 + ε2

substituting into the expectation value of the Hamiltonian

〈H〉 = Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ h sin 2φ

〈H〉min =1

2Ea

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

)+

1

2Eb

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

)± h

ε√1 + ε2

=1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

Eb − Ea + 2hε√1 + ε2

]

=1

2

Ea + Eb ±Eb − Ea + 2h 2h

Eb−Ea√1 + 4h2

(Eb−Ea)2

=

1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 6 / 15

Page 48: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

cos2 φ =1

2

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

), sin2 φ =

1

2

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

), sin 2φ =

±ε√1 + ε2

substituting into the expectation value of the Hamiltonian

〈H〉 = Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ h sin 2φ

〈H〉min =1

2Ea

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

)+

1

2Eb

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

)± h

ε√1 + ε2

=1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

Eb − Ea + 2hε√1 + ε2

]

=1

2

Ea + Eb ±Eb − Ea + 2h 2h

Eb−Ea√1 + 4h2

(Eb−Ea)2

=

1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 6 / 15

Page 49: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

cos2 φ =1

2

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

), sin2 φ =

1

2

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

), sin 2φ =

±ε√1 + ε2

substituting into the expectation value of the Hamiltonian

〈H〉 = Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ 2h sinφ cosφ

〈H〉min =1

2Ea

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

)+

1

2Eb

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

)± h

ε√1 + ε2

=1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

Eb − Ea + 2hε√1 + ε2

]

=1

2

Ea + Eb ±Eb − Ea + 2h 2h

Eb−Ea√1 + 4h2

(Eb−Ea)2

=

1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 6 / 15

Page 50: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

cos2 φ =1

2

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

), sin2 φ =

1

2

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

), sin 2φ =

±ε√1 + ε2

substituting into the expectation value of the Hamiltonian

〈H〉 = Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ h sin 2φ

〈H〉min =1

2Ea

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

)+

1

2Eb

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

)± h

ε√1 + ε2

=1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

Eb − Ea + 2hε√1 + ε2

]

=1

2

Ea + Eb ±Eb − Ea + 2h 2h

Eb−Ea√1 + 4h2

(Eb−Ea)2

=

1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 6 / 15

Page 51: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

cos2 φ =1

2

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

), sin2 φ =

1

2

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

), sin 2φ =

±ε√1 + ε2

substituting into the expectation value of the Hamiltonian

〈H〉 = Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ h sin 2φ

〈H〉min =1

2Ea

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

)+

1

2Eb

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

)± h

ε√1 + ε2

=1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

Eb − Ea + 2hε√1 + ε2

]

=1

2

Ea + Eb ±Eb − Ea + 2h 2h

Eb−Ea√1 + 4h2

(Eb−Ea)2

=

1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 6 / 15

Page 52: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

cos2 φ =1

2

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

), sin2 φ =

1

2

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

), sin 2φ =

±ε√1 + ε2

substituting into the expectation value of the Hamiltonian

〈H〉 = Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ h sin 2φ

〈H〉min =1

2Ea

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

)+

1

2Eb

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

)± h

ε√1 + ε2

=1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

Eb − Ea + 2hε√1 + ε2

]

=1

2

Ea + Eb ±Eb − Ea + 2h 2h

Eb−Ea√1 + 4h2

(Eb−Ea)2

=

1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 6 / 15

Page 53: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

cos2 φ =1

2

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

), sin2 φ =

1

2

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

), sin 2φ =

±ε√1 + ε2

substituting into the expectation value of the Hamiltonian

〈H〉 = Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ h sin 2φ

〈H〉min =1

2Ea

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

)+

1

2Eb

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

)± h

ε√1 + ε2

=1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

Eb − Ea + 2hε√1 + ε2

]

=1

2

Ea + Eb ±Eb − Ea + 2h 2h

Eb−Ea√1 + 4h2

(Eb−Ea)2

=1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 6 / 15

Page 54: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

cos2 φ =1

2

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

), sin2 φ =

1

2

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

), sin 2φ =

±ε√1 + ε2

substituting into the expectation value of the Hamiltonian

〈H〉 = Ea cos2 φ+ Eb sin2 φ+ h sin 2φ

〈H〉min =1

2Ea

(1∓ 1√

1 + ε2

)+

1

2Eb

(1± 1√

1 + ε2

)± h

ε√1 + ε2

=1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

Eb − Ea + 2hε√1 + ε2

]

=1

2

Ea + Eb ±Eb − Ea + 2h 2h

Eb−Ea√1 + 4h2

(Eb−Ea)2

=

1

2

[Ea + Eb ±

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 6 / 15

Page 55: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

Thus the upper bound on the ground state energy is

〈H〉min =1

2

[Ea + Eb −

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]d. The variational result is equivalent to the exact solution in this casebecause the unperturbed system only has two eigenstates and because ofthe particular choice of trial function.

The perturbation result, on the other hand, is simply the approximatevalue of the exact solution when h is small

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)

√1 +

4h2

(Eb − Ea)2

]

≈ 1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)

(1 +

2h2

(Eb − Ea)2

)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 7 / 15

Page 56: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

Thus the upper bound on the ground state energy is

〈H〉min =1

2

[Ea + Eb −

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]

d. The variational result is equivalent to the exact solution in this casebecause the unperturbed system only has two eigenstates and because ofthe particular choice of trial function.

The perturbation result, on the other hand, is simply the approximatevalue of the exact solution when h is small

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)

√1 +

4h2

(Eb − Ea)2

]

≈ 1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)

(1 +

2h2

(Eb − Ea)2

)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 7 / 15

Page 57: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

Thus the upper bound on the ground state energy is

〈H〉min =1

2

[Ea + Eb −

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]d. The variational result is equivalent to the exact solution in this casebecause the unperturbed system only has two eigenstates and because ofthe particular choice of trial function.

The perturbation result, on the other hand, is simply the approximatevalue of the exact solution when h is small

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)

√1 +

4h2

(Eb − Ea)2

]

≈ 1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)

(1 +

2h2

(Eb − Ea)2

)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 7 / 15

Page 58: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

Thus the upper bound on the ground state energy is

〈H〉min =1

2

[Ea + Eb −

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]d. The variational result is equivalent to the exact solution in this casebecause the unperturbed system only has two eigenstates and because ofthe particular choice of trial function.

The perturbation result, on the other hand, is simply the approximatevalue of the exact solution when h is small

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)

√1 +

4h2

(Eb − Ea)2

]

≈ 1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)

(1 +

2h2

(Eb − Ea)2

)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 7 / 15

Page 59: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

Thus the upper bound on the ground state energy is

〈H〉min =1

2

[Ea + Eb −

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]d. The variational result is equivalent to the exact solution in this casebecause the unperturbed system only has two eigenstates and because ofthe particular choice of trial function.

The perturbation result, on the other hand, is simply the approximatevalue of the exact solution when h is small

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)

√1 +

4h2

(Eb − Ea)2

]

≈ 1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)

(1 +

2h2

(Eb − Ea)2

)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 7 / 15

Page 60: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

Thus the upper bound on the ground state energy is

〈H〉min =1

2

[Ea + Eb −

√(Eb − Ea)2 + 4h2

]d. The variational result is equivalent to the exact solution in this casebecause the unperturbed system only has two eigenstates and because ofthe particular choice of trial function.

The perturbation result, on the other hand, is simply the approximatevalue of the exact solution when h is small

E± =1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)

√1 +

4h2

(Eb − Ea)2

]

≈ 1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)

(1 +

2h2

(Eb − Ea)2

)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 7 / 15

Page 61: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

E± ≈1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)± 2h2

Eb − Ea

]

E− ≈1

2

[2Ea −

2h2

Eb − Ea

]≈ Ea −

h2

Eb − Ea

E+ ≈1

2

[2Eb +

2h2

Eb − Ea

]≈ Eb +

h2

Eb − Ea

These are simply the second order perturbation theory results.

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 8 / 15

Page 62: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

E± ≈1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)± 2h2

Eb − Ea

]

E− ≈1

2

[2Ea −

2h2

Eb − Ea

]

≈ Ea −h2

Eb − Ea

E+ ≈1

2

[2Eb +

2h2

Eb − Ea

]

≈ Eb +h2

Eb − Ea

These are simply the second order perturbation theory results.

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 8 / 15

Page 63: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

E± ≈1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)± 2h2

Eb − Ea

]

E− ≈1

2

[2Ea −

2h2

Eb − Ea

]≈ Ea −

h2

Eb − Ea

E+ ≈1

2

[2Eb +

2h2

Eb − Ea

]≈ Eb +

h2

Eb − Ea

These are simply the second order perturbation theory results.

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 8 / 15

Page 64: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Problem 7.15 - solution

E± ≈1

2

[(Ea + Eb)± (Eb − Ea)± 2h2

Eb − Ea

]

E− ≈1

2

[2Ea −

2h2

Eb − Ea

]≈ Ea −

h2

Eb − Ea

E+ ≈1

2

[2Eb +

2h2

Eb − Ea

]≈ Eb +

h2

Eb − Ea

These are simply the second order perturbation theory results.

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 8 / 15

Page 65: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The WKB approximation

The Wentzel, Kramers, Brillouin (WKB) approximation is a valuabletechnique for obtaining approximate solutions (wavefunctions) ofone-dimensional systems where the potential V (x) varies slowly comparedto the deBroglie wavelength of the particle

Consider a particle of energy Emoving in a region of constant po-tential

this is essentially a “free” particlemoving in the positive or negativex-direction

now relax the condition of constantpotential but require that

ψ(x) = Ae±ikx

k ≡√

2m(E − V )

~

λ =2π

k� dV (x)

dx

The WKB approximation treats the wavefunction in this potential as thesame oscillatory function but with a slowly varying modulation (inamplitude and wavelength.

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 9 / 15

Page 66: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The WKB approximation

The Wentzel, Kramers, Brillouin (WKB) approximation is a valuabletechnique for obtaining approximate solutions (wavefunctions) ofone-dimensional systems where the potential V (x) varies slowly comparedto the deBroglie wavelength of the particle

Consider a particle of energy Emoving in a region of constant po-tential

this is essentially a “free” particlemoving in the positive or negativex-direction

now relax the condition of constantpotential but require that

ψ(x) = Ae±ikx

k ≡√

2m(E − V )

~

λ =2π

k� dV (x)

dx

The WKB approximation treats the wavefunction in this potential as thesame oscillatory function but with a slowly varying modulation (inamplitude and wavelength.

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 9 / 15

Page 67: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The WKB approximation

The Wentzel, Kramers, Brillouin (WKB) approximation is a valuabletechnique for obtaining approximate solutions (wavefunctions) ofone-dimensional systems where the potential V (x) varies slowly comparedto the deBroglie wavelength of the particle

Consider a particle of energy Emoving in a region of constant po-tential

this is essentially a “free” particlemoving in the positive or negativex-direction

now relax the condition of constantpotential but require that

ψ(x) = Ae±ikx

k ≡√

2m(E − V )

~

λ =2π

k� dV (x)

dx

The WKB approximation treats the wavefunction in this potential as thesame oscillatory function but with a slowly varying modulation (inamplitude and wavelength.

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 9 / 15

Page 68: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The WKB approximation

The Wentzel, Kramers, Brillouin (WKB) approximation is a valuabletechnique for obtaining approximate solutions (wavefunctions) ofone-dimensional systems where the potential V (x) varies slowly comparedto the deBroglie wavelength of the particle

Consider a particle of energy Emoving in a region of constant po-tential

this is essentially a “free” particlemoving in the positive or negativex-direction

now relax the condition of constantpotential but require that

ψ(x) = Ae±ikx

k ≡√

2m(E − V )

~

λ =2π

k� dV (x)

dx

The WKB approximation treats the wavefunction in this potential as thesame oscillatory function but with a slowly varying modulation (inamplitude and wavelength.

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 9 / 15

Page 69: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The WKB approximation

The Wentzel, Kramers, Brillouin (WKB) approximation is a valuabletechnique for obtaining approximate solutions (wavefunctions) ofone-dimensional systems where the potential V (x) varies slowly comparedto the deBroglie wavelength of the particle

Consider a particle of energy Emoving in a region of constant po-tential

this is essentially a “free” particlemoving in the positive or negativex-direction

now relax the condition of constantpotential but require that

ψ(x) = Ae±ikx

k ≡√

2m(E − V )

~

λ =2π

k� dV (x)

dx

The WKB approximation treats the wavefunction in this potential as thesame oscillatory function but with a slowly varying modulation (inamplitude and wavelength.

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 9 / 15

Page 70: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The WKB approximation

The Wentzel, Kramers, Brillouin (WKB) approximation is a valuabletechnique for obtaining approximate solutions (wavefunctions) ofone-dimensional systems where the potential V (x) varies slowly comparedto the deBroglie wavelength of the particle

Consider a particle of energy Emoving in a region of constant po-tential

this is essentially a “free” particlemoving in the positive or negativex-direction

now relax the condition of constantpotential but require that

ψ(x) = Ae±ikx

k ≡√

2m(E − V )

~

λ =2π

k� dV (x)

dx

The WKB approximation treats the wavefunction in this potential as thesame oscillatory function but with a slowly varying modulation (inamplitude and wavelength.

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 9 / 15

Page 71: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The WKB approximation

The Wentzel, Kramers, Brillouin (WKB) approximation is a valuabletechnique for obtaining approximate solutions (wavefunctions) ofone-dimensional systems where the potential V (x) varies slowly comparedto the deBroglie wavelength of the particle

Consider a particle of energy Emoving in a region of constant po-tential

this is essentially a “free” particlemoving in the positive or negativex-direction

now relax the condition of constantpotential but require that

ψ(x) = Ae±ikx

k ≡√

2m(E − V )

~

λ =2π

k� dV (x)

dx

The WKB approximation treats the wavefunction in this potential as thesame oscillatory function but with a slowly varying modulation (inamplitude and wavelength.

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 9 / 15

Page 72: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The WKB approximation

The Wentzel, Kramers, Brillouin (WKB) approximation is a valuabletechnique for obtaining approximate solutions (wavefunctions) ofone-dimensional systems where the potential V (x) varies slowly comparedto the deBroglie wavelength of the particle

Consider a particle of energy Emoving in a region of constant po-tential

this is essentially a “free” particlemoving in the positive or negativex-direction

now relax the condition of constantpotential but require that

ψ(x) = Ae±ikx

k ≡√

2m(E − V )

~

λ =2π

k� dV (x)

dx

The WKB approximation treats the wavefunction in this potential as thesame oscillatory function but with a slowly varying modulation (inamplitude and wavelength.

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 9 / 15

Page 73: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Turning points

The same argument can be madefor the case where V (x) > E ,and the wavefunction is a decayingexponential

with κ and A varyingslowly.

This approximation must breakdown at the turning points, where,by definition E ≈ V and

λ,1

κ−→ ∞

ψ(x) = Ae±κx

κ ≡√

2m(V − E )

~

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 10 / 15

Page 74: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Turning points

The same argument can be madefor the case where V (x) > E ,and the wavefunction is a decayingexponential

with κ and A varyingslowly.

This approximation must breakdown at the turning points, where,by definition E ≈ V and

λ,1

κ−→ ∞

ψ(x) = Ae±κx

κ ≡√

2m(V − E )

~

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 10 / 15

Page 75: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Turning points

The same argument can be madefor the case where V (x) > E ,and the wavefunction is a decayingexponential

with κ and A varyingslowly.

This approximation must breakdown at the turning points, where,by definition E ≈ V and

λ,1

κ−→ ∞

ψ(x) = Ae±κx

κ ≡√

2m(V − E )

~

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 10 / 15

Page 76: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Turning points

The same argument can be madefor the case where V (x) > E ,and the wavefunction is a decayingexponential with κ and A varyingslowly.

This approximation must breakdown at the turning points, where,by definition E ≈ V and

λ,1

κ−→ ∞

ψ(x) = Ae±κx

κ ≡√

2m(V − E )

~

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 10 / 15

Page 77: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Turning points

The same argument can be madefor the case where V (x) > E ,and the wavefunction is a decayingexponential with κ and A varyingslowly.

This approximation must breakdown at the turning points, where,by definition E ≈ V and

λ,1

κ−→ ∞

ψ(x) = Ae±κx

κ ≡√

2m(V − E )

~

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 10 / 15

Page 78: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Turning points

The same argument can be madefor the case where V (x) > E ,and the wavefunction is a decayingexponential with κ and A varyingslowly.

This approximation must breakdown at the turning points, where,by definition E ≈ V and

λ,1

κ−→ ∞

ψ(x) = Ae±κx

κ ≡√

2m(V − E )

~

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 10 / 15

Page 79: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The classical region

Consider a particle confined to theclassical region.

The Schrodingerequation can be rewritten in termsof the classical momentum

d2ψ

dx2= −p2

~2ψ

p ≡√

2m[E − V (x)]

assume that the amplitude, A(x),and phase, φ(x), of the wavefunc-tion are real and depend on x

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

ψ(x) = A(x) e iφ(x)

dx=(A′ + iAφ′

)e iφ

d2ψ

dx2=[A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2

]e iφ

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 11 / 15

Page 80: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The classical region

Consider a particle confined to theclassical region. The Schrodingerequation can be rewritten in termsof the classical momentum

d2ψ

dx2= −p2

~2ψ

p ≡√

2m[E − V (x)]

assume that the amplitude, A(x),and phase, φ(x), of the wavefunc-tion are real and depend on x

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

ψ(x) = A(x) e iφ(x)

dx=(A′ + iAφ′

)e iφ

d2ψ

dx2=[A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2

]e iφ

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 11 / 15

Page 81: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The classical region

Consider a particle confined to theclassical region. The Schrodingerequation can be rewritten in termsof the classical momentum

d2ψ

dx2= −p2

~2ψ

p ≡√

2m[E − V (x)]

assume that the amplitude, A(x),and phase, φ(x), of the wavefunc-tion are real and depend on x

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

ψ(x) = A(x) e iφ(x)

dx=(A′ + iAφ′

)e iφ

d2ψ

dx2=[A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2

]e iφ

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 11 / 15

Page 82: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The classical region

Consider a particle confined to theclassical region. The Schrodingerequation can be rewritten in termsof the classical momentum

d2ψ

dx2= −p2

~2ψ

p ≡√

2m[E − V (x)]

assume that the amplitude, A(x),and phase, φ(x), of the wavefunc-tion are real and depend on x

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

ψ(x) = A(x) e iφ(x)

dx=(A′ + iAφ′

)e iφ

d2ψ

dx2=[A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2

]e iφ

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 11 / 15

Page 83: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The classical region

Consider a particle confined to theclassical region. The Schrodingerequation can be rewritten in termsof the classical momentum

d2ψ

dx2= −p2

~2ψ

p ≡√

2m[E − V (x)]

assume that the amplitude, A(x),and phase, φ(x), of the wavefunc-tion are real and depend on x

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

ψ(x) = A(x) e iφ(x)

dx=(A′ + iAφ′

)e iφ

d2ψ

dx2=[A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2

]e iφ

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 11 / 15

Page 84: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The classical region

Consider a particle confined to theclassical region. The Schrodingerequation can be rewritten in termsof the classical momentum

d2ψ

dx2= −p2

~2ψ

p ≡√

2m[E − V (x)]

assume that the amplitude, A(x),and phase, φ(x), of the wavefunc-tion are real and depend on x

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

ψ(x) = A(x) e iφ(x)

dx=(A′ + iAφ′

)e iφ

d2ψ

dx2=[A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2

]e iφ

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 11 / 15

Page 85: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The classical region

Consider a particle confined to theclassical region. The Schrodingerequation can be rewritten in termsof the classical momentum

d2ψ

dx2= −p2

~2ψ

p ≡√

2m[E − V (x)]

assume that the amplitude, A(x),and phase, φ(x), of the wavefunc-tion are real and depend on x

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

ψ(x) = A(x) e iφ(x)

dx=(A′ + iAφ′

)e iφ

d2ψ

dx2=[A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2

]e iφ

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 11 / 15

Page 86: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The classical region

Consider a particle confined to theclassical region. The Schrodingerequation can be rewritten in termsof the classical momentum

d2ψ

dx2= −p2

~2ψ

p ≡√

2m[E − V (x)]

assume that the amplitude, A(x),and phase, φ(x), of the wavefunc-tion are real and depend on x

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

ψ(x) = A(x) e iφ(x)

dx=(A′ + iAφ′

)e iφ

d2ψ

dx2=[A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2

]e iφ

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 11 / 15

Page 87: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The classical region

Consider a particle confined to theclassical region. The Schrodingerequation can be rewritten in termsof the classical momentum

d2ψ

dx2= −p2

~2ψ

p ≡√

2m[E − V (x)]

assume that the amplitude, A(x),and phase, φ(x), of the wavefunc-tion are real and depend on x

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

ψ(x) = A(x) e iφ(x)

dx=(A′ + iAφ′

)e iφ

d2ψ

dx2=[A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2

]e iφ

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 11 / 15

Page 88: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The classical region

Consider a particle confined to theclassical region. The Schrodingerequation can be rewritten in termsof the classical momentum

d2ψ

dx2= −p2

~2ψ

p ≡√

2m[E − V (x)]

assume that the amplitude, A(x),and phase, φ(x), of the wavefunc-tion are real and depend on x

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

ψ(x) = A(x) e iφ(x)

dx=(A′ + iAφ′

)e iφ

d2ψ

dx2=[A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2

]e iφ

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 11 / 15

Page 89: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The classical region

Consider a particle confined to theclassical region. The Schrodingerequation can be rewritten in termsof the classical momentum

d2ψ

dx2= −p2

~2ψ

p ≡√

2m[E − V (x)]

assume that the amplitude, A(x),and phase, φ(x), of the wavefunc-tion are real and depend on x

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

ψ(x) = A(x) e iφ(x)

dx=(A′ + iAφ′

)e iφ

d2ψ

dx2=[A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2

]e iφ

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 11 / 15

Page 90: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

The classical region

Consider a particle confined to theclassical region. The Schrodingerequation can be rewritten in termsof the classical momentum

d2ψ

dx2= −p2

~2ψ

p ≡√

2m[E − V (x)]

assume that the amplitude, A(x),and phase, φ(x), of the wavefunc-tion are real and depend on x

V(x)

x

E

turning points

classical region

ψ(x) = A(x) e iφ(x)

dx=(A′ + iAφ′

)e iφ

d2ψ

dx2=[A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2

]e iφ

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 11 / 15

Page 91: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Amplitude and phase equations

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

The real equation

A′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

��A′′ = A

[(φ′)2 − p2

~2

]this equation cannot be solved eas-ily so we need to invoke the WKBapproximation:

The imaginary equation

0 = 2A′φ′ + Aφ′′

0 =(A2φ′

)′A2φ′ = C 2 → A =

C√φ′

Assume that A varies slowly so that A′′ � (φ′)2, p2/~2

(φ′)2 =p2

~2−→ dφ

dx= ±p

~

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 12 / 15

Page 92: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Amplitude and phase equations

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

The real equation

A′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

��A′′ = A

[(φ′)2 − p2

~2

]this equation cannot be solved eas-ily so we need to invoke the WKBapproximation:

The imaginary equation

0 = 2A′φ′ + Aφ′′

0 =(A2φ′

)′A2φ′ = C 2 → A =

C√φ′

Assume that A varies slowly so that A′′ � (φ′)2, p2/~2

(φ′)2 =p2

~2−→ dφ

dx= ±p

~

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 12 / 15

Page 93: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Amplitude and phase equations

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

The real equation

A′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

��A′′ = A

[(φ′)2 − p2

~2

]this equation cannot be solved eas-ily so we need to invoke the WKBapproximation:

The imaginary equation

0 = 2A′φ′ + Aφ′′

0 =(A2φ′

)′A2φ′ = C 2 → A =

C√φ′

Assume that A varies slowly so that A′′ � (φ′)2, p2/~2

(φ′)2 =p2

~2−→ dφ

dx= ±p

~

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 12 / 15

Page 94: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Amplitude and phase equations

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

The real equation

A′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

A′′ = A

[(φ′)2 − p2

~2

]

this equation cannot be solved eas-ily so we need to invoke the WKBapproximation:

The imaginary equation

0 = 2A′φ′ + Aφ′′

0 =(A2φ′

)′A2φ′ = C 2 → A =

C√φ′

Assume that A varies slowly so that A′′ � (φ′)2, p2/~2

(φ′)2 =p2

~2−→ dφ

dx= ±p

~

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 12 / 15

Page 95: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Amplitude and phase equations

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

The real equation

A′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

A′′ = A

[(φ′)2 − p2

~2

]

this equation cannot be solved eas-ily so we need to invoke the WKBapproximation:

The imaginary equation

0 = 2A′φ′ + Aφ′′

0 =(A2φ′

)′A2φ′ = C 2 → A =

C√φ′

Assume that A varies slowly so that A′′ � (φ′)2, p2/~2

(φ′)2 =p2

~2−→ dφ

dx= ±p

~

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 12 / 15

Page 96: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Amplitude and phase equations

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

The real equation

A′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

A′′ = A

[(φ′)2 − p2

~2

]

this equation cannot be solved eas-ily so we need to invoke the WKBapproximation:

The imaginary equation

0 = 2A′φ′ + Aφ′′

0 =(A2φ′

)′A2φ′ = C 2 → A =

C√φ′

Assume that A varies slowly so that A′′ � (φ′)2, p2/~2

(φ′)2 =p2

~2−→ dφ

dx= ±p

~

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 12 / 15

Page 97: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Amplitude and phase equations

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

The real equation

A′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

A′′ = A

[(φ′)2 − p2

~2

]

this equation cannot be solved eas-ily so we need to invoke the WKBapproximation:

The imaginary equation

0 = 2A′φ′ + Aφ′′

0 =(A2φ′

)′

A2φ′ = C 2 → A =C√φ′

Assume that A varies slowly so that A′′ � (φ′)2, p2/~2

(φ′)2 =p2

~2−→ dφ

dx= ±p

~

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 12 / 15

Page 98: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Amplitude and phase equations

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

The real equation

A′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

A′′ = A

[(φ′)2 − p2

~2

]

this equation cannot be solved eas-ily so we need to invoke the WKBapproximation:

The imaginary equation

0 = 2A′φ′ + Aφ′′

0 =(A2φ′

)′A2φ′ = C 2

→ A =C√φ′

Assume that A varies slowly so that A′′ � (φ′)2, p2/~2

(φ′)2 =p2

~2−→ dφ

dx= ±p

~

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 12 / 15

Page 99: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Amplitude and phase equations

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

The real equation

A′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

A′′ = A

[(φ′)2 − p2

~2

]

this equation cannot be solved eas-ily so we need to invoke the WKBapproximation:

The imaginary equation

0 = 2A′φ′ + Aφ′′

0 =(A2φ′

)′A2φ′ = C 2 → A =

C√φ′

Assume that A varies slowly so that A′′ � (φ′)2, p2/~2

(φ′)2 =p2

~2−→ dφ

dx= ±p

~

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 12 / 15

Page 100: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Amplitude and phase equations

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

The real equation

A′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

A′′ = A

[(φ′)2 − p2

~2

]this equation cannot be solved eas-ily so we need to invoke the WKBapproximation:

The imaginary equation

0 = 2A′φ′ + Aφ′′

0 =(A2φ′

)′A2φ′ = C 2 → A =

C√φ′

Assume that A varies slowly so that A′′ � (φ′)2, p2/~2

(φ′)2 =p2

~2−→ dφ

dx= ±p

~

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 12 / 15

Page 101: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Amplitude and phase equations

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

The real equation

A′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

��A′′ = A

[(φ′)2 − p2

~2

]this equation cannot be solved eas-ily so we need to invoke the WKBapproximation:

The imaginary equation

0 = 2A′φ′ + Aφ′′

0 =(A2φ′

)′A2φ′ = C 2 → A =

C√φ′

Assume that A varies slowly so that A′′ � (φ′)2, p2/~2

(φ′)2 =p2

~2−→ dφ

dx= ±p

~

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 12 / 15

Page 102: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Amplitude and phase equations

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

The real equation

A′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

��A′′ = A

[(φ′)2 − p2

~2

]this equation cannot be solved eas-ily so we need to invoke the WKBapproximation:

The imaginary equation

0 = 2A′φ′ + Aφ′′

0 =(A2φ′

)′A2φ′ = C 2 → A =

C√φ′

Assume that A varies slowly so that A′′ � (φ′)2, p2/~2

(φ′)2 =p2

~2

−→ dφ

dx= ±p

~

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 12 / 15

Page 103: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Amplitude and phase equations

A′′ + 2iA′φ′ + iAφ′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

The real equation

A′′ − A(φ′)2 = −p2

~2A

��A′′ = A

[(φ′)2 − p2

~2

]this equation cannot be solved eas-ily so we need to invoke the WKBapproximation:

The imaginary equation

0 = 2A′φ′ + Aφ′′

0 =(A2φ′

)′A2φ′ = C 2 → A =

C√φ′

Assume that A varies slowly so that A′′ � (φ′)2, p2/~2

(φ′)2 =p2

~2−→ dφ

dx= ±p

~

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 12 / 15

Page 104: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Classical region solution

The WKB approximation gives asimple differential equation for φ(x)solves to an integral

combining with the solution for theamplitude

A(x) =C√φ′(x)

The probability of finding the parti-cle at a point x is inversely propor-tional to its momentum

dx= ±p

~

φ(x) = ±1

~

∫p(x) dx

ψ(x) ∼=C√p(x)

e±i~∫p(x) dx

|ψ(x)|2 ∼=|C |2

p(x)

the general solution becomes

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C+e

iφ(x) + C−e−iφ(x)

]=

1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 13 / 15

Page 105: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Classical region solution

The WKB approximation gives asimple differential equation for φ(x)solves to an integral

combining with the solution for theamplitude

A(x) =C√φ′(x)

The probability of finding the parti-cle at a point x is inversely propor-tional to its momentum

dx= ±p

~

φ(x) = ±1

~

∫p(x) dx

ψ(x) ∼=C√p(x)

e±i~∫p(x) dx

|ψ(x)|2 ∼=|C |2

p(x)

the general solution becomes

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C+e

iφ(x) + C−e−iφ(x)

]=

1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 13 / 15

Page 106: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Classical region solution

The WKB approximation gives asimple differential equation for φ(x)solves to an integral

combining with the solution for theamplitude

A(x) =C√φ′(x)

The probability of finding the parti-cle at a point x is inversely propor-tional to its momentum

dx= ±p

~

φ(x) = ±1

~

∫p(x) dx

ψ(x) ∼=C√p(x)

e±i~∫p(x) dx

|ψ(x)|2 ∼=|C |2

p(x)

the general solution becomes

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C+e

iφ(x) + C−e−iφ(x)

]=

1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 13 / 15

Page 107: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Classical region solution

The WKB approximation gives asimple differential equation for φ(x)solves to an integral

combining with the solution for theamplitude

A(x) =C√φ′(x)

The probability of finding the parti-cle at a point x is inversely propor-tional to its momentum

dx= ±p

~

φ(x) = ±1

~

∫p(x) dx

ψ(x) ∼=C√p(x)

e±i~∫p(x) dx

|ψ(x)|2 ∼=|C |2

p(x)

the general solution becomes

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C+e

iφ(x) + C−e−iφ(x)

]=

1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 13 / 15

Page 108: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Classical region solution

The WKB approximation gives asimple differential equation for φ(x)solves to an integral

combining with the solution for theamplitude

A(x) =C√φ′(x)

The probability of finding the parti-cle at a point x is inversely propor-tional to its momentum

dx= ±p

~

φ(x) = ±1

~

∫p(x) dx

ψ(x) ∼=C√p(x)

e±i~∫p(x) dx

|ψ(x)|2 ∼=|C |2

p(x)

the general solution becomes

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C+e

iφ(x) + C−e−iφ(x)

]=

1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 13 / 15

Page 109: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Classical region solution

The WKB approximation gives asimple differential equation for φ(x)solves to an integral

combining with the solution for theamplitude

A(x) =C√φ′(x)

The probability of finding the parti-cle at a point x is inversely propor-tional to its momentum

dx= ±p

~

φ(x) = ±1

~

∫p(x) dx

ψ(x) ∼=C√p(x)

e±i~∫p(x) dx

|ψ(x)|2 ∼=|C |2

p(x)

the general solution becomes

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C+e

iφ(x) + C−e−iφ(x)

]=

1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 13 / 15

Page 110: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Classical region solution

The WKB approximation gives asimple differential equation for φ(x)solves to an integral

combining with the solution for theamplitude

A(x) =C√φ′(x)

The probability of finding the parti-cle at a point x is inversely propor-tional to its momentum

dx= ±p

~

φ(x) = ±1

~

∫p(x) dx

ψ(x) ∼=C√p(x)

e±i~∫p(x) dx

|ψ(x)|2 ∼=|C |2

p(x)

the general solution becomes

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C+e

iφ(x) + C−e−iφ(x)

]=

1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 13 / 15

Page 111: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Classical region solution

The WKB approximation gives asimple differential equation for φ(x)solves to an integral

combining with the solution for theamplitude

A(x) =C√φ′(x)

The probability of finding the parti-cle at a point x is inversely propor-tional to its momentum

dx= ±p

~

φ(x) = ±1

~

∫p(x) dx

ψ(x) ∼=C√p(x)

e±i~∫p(x) dx

|ψ(x)|2 ∼=|C |2

p(x)

the general solution becomes

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C+e

iφ(x) + C−e−iφ(x)

]

=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 13 / 15

Page 112: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Classical region solution

The WKB approximation gives asimple differential equation for φ(x)solves to an integral

combining with the solution for theamplitude

A(x) =C√φ′(x)

The probability of finding the parti-cle at a point x is inversely propor-tional to its momentum

dx= ±p

~

φ(x) = ±1

~

∫p(x) dx

ψ(x) ∼=C√p(x)

e±i~∫p(x) dx

|ψ(x)|2 ∼=|C |2

p(x)

the general solution becomes

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C+e

iφ(x) + C−e−iφ(x)

]=

1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 13 / 15

Page 113: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Example 8.1

Suppose we have an infinite squarewell with a bumpy bottom

V (x) =

{arb. func. 0 < x < a

∞ otherwise

assume E > V (x) inside the well

V(x)

ax

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

choosing the lower bound for the φintegral at zero φ(x) =

1

~

∫ x

0p(x ′) dx ′

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 14 / 15

Page 114: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Example 8.1

Suppose we have an infinite squarewell with a bumpy bottom

V (x) =

{arb. func. 0 < x < a

∞ otherwise

assume E > V (x) inside the well

V(x)

ax

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

choosing the lower bound for the φintegral at zero φ(x) =

1

~

∫ x

0p(x ′) dx ′

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 14 / 15

Page 115: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Example 8.1

Suppose we have an infinite squarewell with a bumpy bottom

V (x) =

{arb. func. 0 < x < a

∞ otherwise

assume E > V (x) inside the well

V(x)

ax

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

choosing the lower bound for the φintegral at zero φ(x) =

1

~

∫ x

0p(x ′) dx ′

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 14 / 15

Page 116: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Example 8.1

Suppose we have an infinite squarewell with a bumpy bottom

V (x) =

{arb. func. 0 < x < a

∞ otherwise

assume E > V (x) inside the well

V(x)

ax

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

choosing the lower bound for the φintegral at zero

φ(x) =1

~

∫ x

0p(x ′) dx ′

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 14 / 15

Page 117: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Example 8.1

Suppose we have an infinite squarewell with a bumpy bottom

V (x) =

{arb. func. 0 < x < a

∞ otherwise

assume E > V (x) inside the well

V(x)

ax

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

choosing the lower bound for the φintegral at zero φ(x) =

1

~

∫ x

0p(x ′) dx ′

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 14 / 15

Page 118: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Example 8.1

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

the boundary conditions atthe edges of the well forcethe wavefunction to zero∫ a

0p(x) dx = nπ~

ψ(0) = 0 → C2 = 0

ψ(a) = 0 → φ(a) = nπ, n = 1, 2, 3, . . .

En =n2π2~2

2ma2

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 15 / 15

Page 119: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Example 8.1

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

the boundary conditions atthe edges of the well forcethe wavefunction to zero

∫ a

0p(x) dx = nπ~

ψ(0) = 0 → C2 = 0

ψ(a) = 0 → φ(a) = nπ, n = 1, 2, 3, . . .

En =n2π2~2

2ma2

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 15 / 15

Page 120: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Example 8.1

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

the boundary conditions atthe edges of the well forcethe wavefunction to zero

∫ a

0p(x) dx = nπ~

ψ(0) = 0

→ C2 = 0

ψ(a) = 0 → φ(a) = nπ, n = 1, 2, 3, . . .

En =n2π2~2

2ma2

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 15 / 15

Page 121: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Example 8.1

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

the boundary conditions atthe edges of the well forcethe wavefunction to zero

∫ a

0p(x) dx = nπ~

ψ(0) = 0 → C2 = 0

ψ(a) = 0 → φ(a) = nπ, n = 1, 2, 3, . . .

En =n2π2~2

2ma2

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 15 / 15

Page 122: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Example 8.1

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

the boundary conditions atthe edges of the well forcethe wavefunction to zero

∫ a

0p(x) dx = nπ~

ψ(0) = 0 → C2 = 0

ψ(a) = 0

→ φ(a) = nπ, n = 1, 2, 3, . . .

En =n2π2~2

2ma2

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 15 / 15

Page 123: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Example 8.1

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

the boundary conditions atthe edges of the well forcethe wavefunction to zero

∫ a

0p(x) dx = nπ~

ψ(0) = 0 → C2 = 0

ψ(a) = 0 → φ(a) = nπ, n = 1, 2, 3, . . .

En =n2π2~2

2ma2

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 15 / 15

Page 124: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Example 8.1

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

the boundary conditions atthe edges of the well forcethe wavefunction to zero∫ a

0p(x) dx = nπ~

ψ(0) = 0 → C2 = 0

ψ(a) = 0 → φ(a) = nπ, n = 1, 2, 3, . . .

En =n2π2~2

2ma2

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 15 / 15

Page 125: csrri.iit.educsrri.iit.edu/~segre/phys406/14S/lecture_10.pdf · Problem 7.15 Suppose you are given a quantum system whose Hamiltonian H 0 admits just two eigenstates, a (with energy

Example 8.1

ψ(x) ∼=1√p(x)

[C1 sinφ(x) + C2 cosφ(x)]

the boundary conditions atthe edges of the well forcethe wavefunction to zero∫ a

0p(x) dx = nπ~

ψ(0) = 0 → C2 = 0

ψ(a) = 0 → φ(a) = nπ, n = 1, 2, 3, . . .

En =n2π2~2

2ma2

C. Segre (IIT) PHYS 406 - Spring 2014 February 19, 2014 15 / 15