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Transcript of Slide 1 Chapter 2 Quantum Theory. Slide 2 Outline Interpretation and Properties of Operators and...
Slide 1
Chapter 2
Quantum Theory
Slide 2
Outline
• Interpretation and Properties of
• Operators and Eigenvalue Equations
• Normalization of the Wavefunction
• Operators in Quantum Mechanics
• Math. Preliminary: Even and Odd Integrals
• Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues
• The 1D Schrödinger Equation: Time Depend. and Indep. Forms
• Math. Preliminary: Probability, Averages and Variance
• Expectation Values (Application to HO wavefunction)
• Hermitian Operators
Continued on Second Page
Slide 3
Outline (Cont’d.)
• Commutation of Operators
• Differentiability and Completeness of the Wavefunctions
• Dirac “Bra-Ket” Notation
• Orthogonality of Wavefunctions
Slide 4
First Postulate: Interpretation of
One Dimension
Postulate 1: (x,t) is a solution to the one dimensional Schrödinger Equation and is a well-behaved, square integrable function.
x x+dx
The quantity, |(x,t)|2dx = *(x,t)(x,t)dx, representsthe probability of finding the particle betweenx and x+dx.
Slide 5
x
y
z
dxdy
dz
Three Dimensions
Postulate 1: (x,y,z,t) is a solution to the three dimensional Schrödinger Equation and is a well-behaved, square integrable function.
The quantity, |(x,y,z,t)|2dxdydz = *(x,y,z,t)(x,y,z,t)dxdydz, represents the probability of finding the particle between x and x+dx, y and y+dy, z and z+dz.
( , , , ) ( , )x y z t r t
Shorthand Notation
Two Particles
2
1 2 1 1
1 2 1 1 1 2 2 2
( , )r r dr dr
where dr dr dx dy dz dx dy dz
Slide 6
Required Properties of
Finite X
Single Valued
x
(x)
Continuous
x
(x)
And derivatives mustbe continuous
Slide 7
Required Properties of
Vanish at endpoints(or infinity)
0 as x ± y ± z ±
Must be “Square Integrable”
2( )r dxdydz
2
( )r d
or
Shorthand notation
Reason: Can “normalize” wavefunction
2( ) 1r d
Slide 8
Which of the following functions would be acceptablewavefunctions?
2xe x OK
xe x No - Diverges as x -
1s i n x No - Multivalued i.e. x = 1, sin-1(1) = /2, /2 + 2, ...
xe x No - Discontinuous first derivativeat x = 0.
Slide 9
Outline
• Interpretation and Properties of
• Operators and Eigenvalue Equations
• Normalization of the Wavefunction
• Operators in Quantum Mechanics
• Math. Preliminary: Even and Odd Integrals
• Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues
• The 1D Schrödinger Equation: Time Depend. and Indep. Forms
• Math. Preliminary: Probability, Averages and Variance
• Expectation Values (Application to HO wavefunction)
• Hermitian Operators
Slide 10
Operators and Eigenvalue Equations
One Dimensional Schrödinger Equation2 2
2( )
2
dV x E
m dx
2 2
2( )
2
dV x E
m dx
H E 2 2
2( )
2
dH V x
m dx
This is an “Eigenvalue Equation”
A f a f
Operator
Operator
Eigenvalue
Eigenvalue
Eigenfunction
Eigenfunction
Slide 11
Linear Operators
A quantum mechanical operator must be linear
ˆ ˆ ˆA c d c A d A
Operator Linear ?
x2•
log
sin
d
dx
2
2
d
dx
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Slide 12
Operator Multiplication
ˆ ˆˆ ˆ( )A B A B
First operate with B, and then operate on the result with A.^ ^
2ˆ ˆ ˆ( )A A A Note:
Example
ˆ ˆdA and B x
dx
ˆ ˆ ?A B
ˆ ˆ dAB x
dx
2ˆ( )A
Slide 13
Operator Commutation
ˆ ˆˆ ˆA B B A ?
Not necessarily!! If the result obtained applying two operatorsin opposite orders are the same, the operatorsare said to commute with each other.
Whether or not two operators commute has physical implications,as shall be discussed later, where we will also give examples.
Slide 14
Eigenvalue Equations
A f a f
A f Eigenfunction? Eigenvalue
3 x2 Yes 3
x sin(x) No
sin(x)d
dxNo
sin(x)2
2
d
dxYes -2 (All values of
allowed)2
224
dx
dx
2xe Only for = ±1
2 (i.e. ±2)
Slide 15
Outline
• Interpretation and Properties of
• Operators and Eigenvalue Equations
• Normalization of the Wavefunction
• Operators in Quantum Mechanics
• Math. Preliminary: Even and Odd Integrals
• Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues
• The 1D Schrödinger Equation: Time Depend. and Indep. Forms
• Math. Preliminary: Probability, Averages and Variance
• Expectation Values (Application to HO wavefunction)
• Hermitian Operators
Slide 16
Operators in Quantum Mechanics
Postulate 2: Every observable quantity has a corresponding linear, Hermitian operator.
The operator for position, or any function of position,is simply multiplication by the position (or function)
ˆ. .i e x x 2 2. .i e x x^ etc.
The operator for a function of the momentum, e.g. px, isobtained by the replacement:
ˆ. .i e pi x
I will define Hermitian operators and their importance inthe appropriate context later in the chapter.
Slide 17
“Derivation” of the momentum operator
( )i k x tC e 2hp
Wavefunction for a free particle (from Chap. 1)
where 2k
p
( )i kx tikC ex
i k p
i
pi x
ˆ. .i e pi x
Slide 18
Some Important Operators (1 Dim.) in QM
Quantity Symbol Operator
Position x x
Potential Energy V(x) V(x)
Momentum px (or p)i x
2 2
22m x
Kinetic Energy
2
2xp
m
Total Energy2
( )2xp V xm
2 2
2( )
2H V x
m x
Slide 19
Some Important Operators (3 Dim.) in QM
Quantity Symbol Operator
Potential Energy V(x,y,z) V(x,y,z)
Kinetic Energy2 2 2 2
2 2 22m x y z
2
2
p
m
Total Energy2
( , , )2
pV x y z
m
22 ( , , )
2H V x y z
m
Position r x i y j z k
r x i y j z k
Momentum x y zp p i p j p k i j k
i x y z
i
i j kx y z
22
2m
2 2 22
2 2 2x y z
Slide 20
Outline
• Interpretation and Properties of
• Operators and Eigenvalue Equations
• Normalization of the Wavefunction
• Operators in Quantum Mechanics
• Math. Preliminary: Even and Odd Integrals
• Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues
• The 1D Schrödinger Equation: Time Depend. and Indep. Forms
• Math. Preliminary: Probability, Averages and Variance
• Expectation Values (Application to HO wavefunction)
• Hermitian Operators
Slide 21
The Schrödinger Equation (One Dim.)
Postulate 3: The wavefunction, (x,t), is obtained by solving the time dependent Schrödinger Equation:
( , )( , )
x ti H x t
t
2 2
2( , ) ( , )
2V x t x t
m x
If the potential energy is independent of time, [i.e. if V = V(x)],then one can derive a simpler time independent form of the Schrödinger Equation, as will be shown.
In most systems, e.g. particle in box, rigid rotator, harmonicoscillator, atoms, molecules, etc., unless one is consideringspectroscopy (i.e. the application of a time dependent electricfield), the potential energy is, indeed, independent of time.
Slide 22
( , )( , )
x ti H x t
t
2 2
2( , ) ( , )
2V x t x t
m x
If V is independent of time, then so is the Hamiltonian, H.
( , )( , )
x ti H x t
t
Assume that (x,t) = (x)f(t)
On Board
The Time-Independent Schrödinger Equation (One Dimension)
I will show you the derivation FYI. However, you are responsibleonly for the result.
1 ( ) 1( )
( ) ( )
df ti H xf t d t x
= E (the energy, a constant)
Slide 23
1 ( ) 1( )
( ) ( )
df ti H xf t d t x
= E (the energy, a constant)
On Board
( ) ( )H x E x
Time IndependentSchrödinger Equation
( , ) ( ) ( ) ( )i E t
x t x f t x e
Note that *(x,t)(x,t) = *(x)(x)
Slide 24
Outline
• Interpretation and Properties of
• Operators and Eigenvalue Equations
• Normalization of the Wavefunction
• Operators in Quantum Mechanics
• Math. Preliminary: Even and Odd Integrals
• Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues
• The 1D Schrödinger Equation: Time Depend. and Indep. Forms
• Math. Preliminary: Probability, Averages and Variance
• Expectation Values (Application to HO wavefunction)
• Hermitian Operators
Slide 25
Math Preliminary: Probability, Averages & Variance
Probability
Discrete Distribution: P(xJ) = Probability that x = xJ
If the distribution is normalized: P(xJ) = 1
Continuous Distribution: P(x)dx = Probability that particle has positionbetween x and x+dx
x x+dx
P(x)If the distribution is normalized:
( ) 1P x dx
Slide 26
Positional Averages
Discrete Distribution: ( )J Jx x x P x If normalized
( )
( )J J
J
x P x
P x
If not normalized
2 ( )
( )J J
J
x P x
P x
If not normalizedIf normalized
2 2 2 ( )J Jx x x P x
Continuous Distribution: ( )x x xP x d x
If normalized
( )
( )
xP x dx
P x dx
If not normalized
If normalized
2 2 2 ( )x x x P x d x
If not normalized
2 ( )
( )
x P x dx
P x dx
Slide 27
Continuous Distribution: ( )x x xP x d x
If normalized If normalized
2 2 2 ( )x x x P x d x
Note: <x2> <x>2
Example: If x1 = 2, P(x1)=0.5 and x2 = 10, P(x2) = 0.5
Calculate <x> and <x2>
2 0 . 5 1 0 0 . 5 6x
2 22 2 0 .5 1 0 0 .5 5 2x
Note that <x>2 = 36
It is always true that <x2> <x>2
Slide 28
Variance
One requires a measure of the “spread” or “breadth” of a distribution.This is the variance, x
2, defined by:
22x x x 2 ( )x x P x d x
2 2 22 ( )x x x x x P x d x
2 2 2( ) 2 ( ) ( )x x P x d x x xP x d x x P x d x
2 2 22x x x x x
2 2 2x x x
Variance
2 2 2x x x x
Standard Deviation
Slide 29
Example
P(x) = Ax 0x10P(x) = 0 x<0 , x>10
Calculate: A , <x> , <x2> , x
1 0
0( )P x d x A xd x
5 0A 1
1
50A
1 0
0( )x xP x d x xA xd x
103
03
xA
3101
50 3 6 . 6 7
Note: 22 6 .6 7 4 4 .4x
1 02 2 2
0( )x x P x d x x A xd x
104
04
xA
4101
50 4 5 0 . 0
2 2x x x 5 0 . 0 4 4 . 4 2 . 3 7
102
02
xA
Slide 30
Outline
• Interpretation and Properties of
• Operators and Eigenvalue Equations
• Normalization of the Wavefunction
• Operators in Quantum Mechanics
• Math. Preliminary: Even and Odd Integrals
• Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues
• The 1D Schrödinger Equation: Time Depend. and Indep. Forms
• Math. Preliminary: Probability, Averages and Variance
• Expectation Values (Application to HO wavefunction)
• Hermitian Operators
Slide 31
Normalization of the Wavefunction
For a quantum mechanical wavefunction: P(x)=*(x)(x)
For a one-dimensional wavefunction to be normalized requires that:
* ( ) ( ) 1x x d x
For a three-dimensional wavefunction to be normalized requires that:
* ( , , ) ( , , ) 1x y z x y z d x d y d z
In general, without specifying dimensionality, one may write:
* 1d
Slide 32
Example: A Harmonic Oscillator Wave Function
Let’s preview what we’ll learn in Chapter 5 about theHarmonic Oscillator model to describe molecular vibrationsin diatomic molecules.
= reduced massk = force constant
The Hamiltonian:2 2
22
1
2 2
dH kx
dx
A Wavefunction:2 / 2( ) xx A e x
2k
Slide 33
Outline
• Interpretation and Properties of
• Operators and Eigenvalue Equations
• Normalization of the Wavefunction
• Operators in Quantum Mechanics
• Math. Preliminary: Even and Odd Integrals
• Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues
• The 1D Schrödinger Equation: Time Depend. and Indep. Forms
• Math. Preliminary: Probability, Averages and Variance
• Expectation Values (Application to HO wavefunction)
• Hermitian Operators
Slide 34
Math Preliminary: Even and Odd Integrals
Integration Limits: - Integration Limits: 0
2
0
1
2xe dx
2
0
1
2xxe dx
22
0
1
4xx e dx
2320
1
2xx e dx
2420
3
8xx e dx
2 2
02x xe d x e d x
2 22 2
02x xx e d x x e d x
2 24 4
02x xx e d x x e d x
0
0
Slide 35
21 * d x d x
Find the value of A that normalizes the Harmonic Oscillator
oscillator wavefunction:2 / 2( ) xx A e x
2
0
1
2xe dx
2 2/ 2xA e d x
22 xA e dx
22
02 xA e dx 2 1
22
A
1/ 2
2 1A
1/ 22A
1/4
A
Slide 36
Outline
• Interpretation and Properties of
• Operators and Eigenvalue Equations
• Normalization of the Wavefunction
• Operators in Quantum Mechanics
• Math. Preliminary: Even and Odd Integrals
• Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues
• The 1D Schrödinger Equation: Time Depend. and Indep. Forms
• Math. Preliminary: Probability, Averages and Variance
• Expectation Values (Application to HO wavefunction)
• Hermitian Operators
Slide 37
Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues
Postulate 4: If a is an eigenfunction of the operator  with eigenvalue a, then if we measure the property A for a system whose wavefunction is a, we always get a as the result.
Example
2 22
2
1
2 2
dH kx
dx
2 / 2( ) xx A e x
2k
The operator for the total energy of a system is the Hamiltonian.Show that the HO wavefunction given earlier is an eigenfunctionof the HO Hamiltonian. What is the eigenvalue (i.e. the energy)
Slide 38
Preliminary: Wavefunction Derivatives2 / 2( ) xx A e
2 / 2xd dA e
dx dx 2
2/ 2 ( / 2)x d x
Aedx
2 / 2 ( 2 / 2 )xAe x
2 / 2xdA xe
dx
22
/ 22
xd d d dA xe
dx dx dx dx
2
2/ 2
/ 2x
xde dxA x e
dx dx
2 2/ 2 / 2( 2 / 2 )x xA x e x e
2 22
2 / 2 / 22
x xdA x e e
dx
Slide 39
2 22
2
1
2 2
dH kx
dx
2 2 2
22 / 2 / 2 2 / 21
2 2x x xA x e e kx Ae
2 2 22 2 2
2 / 2 / 2 2 / 21
2 2 2x x xx Ae Ae kx Ae
2 2 22 21
2 2 2x kx
2 2 2
2 1
2 2 2x k
To end up with a constant times ,this term must be zero.
2 22
2 / 2 / 22
x xdA x e e
dx
2 22
2
1
2 2
dH kx
dx
2 / 2( ) xx A e x
2k
Slide 40
2 2 22 1
2 2 2H x k
2 2
22
2
2
( / )k
2
k
2 22
2
1
2 2 2
kH x k
22 1 1
2 2 2x k k
2
2
1
2H
22
h
h
1
2h
E = ½ħ = ½h
Because the wavefunction is aneigenfunction of the Hamiltonian,the total energy of the systemis known exactly.
2 22
2 / 2 / 22
x xdA x e e
dx
2 22
2
1
2 2
dH kx
dx
2 / 2( ) xx A e x
2k
Slide 41
2 22
2
1
2 2
dH kx
dx
2 / 2( ) xx A e x
Is this wavefunction an eigenfunction of the potential energy operator?
21ˆ ( )2
V V x kx No!! Therefore the potential energy cannotbe determined exactly.
One can only determine the “average” value of a quantity if thewavefunction is not an eigenfunction of the associated operator.
The method is given by the next postulate.
Is this wavefunction an eigenfunction of the kinetic energy operator?2 2 2
2
ˆ
2 2
p dKE
dx
No!! Therefore the kinetic energy cannotbe determined exactly.
Slide 42
Eigenfunctions of the Momentum Operator
pi x
Recall that the one dimensional momentum operator is:
2 / 2( ) xx A e
Is our HO wavefunction an eigenfunction of the momentum operator?
No. Therefore the momentum of an oscillator in this eigenstate cannot be measured exactly.
( )i k x tC e 2
k
The wavefunction for a free particle is:
Is the free particle wavefunction an eigenfunction of the momentumoperator?
Yes, with an eigenvalue of h \ , which is just the de Broglie expression for the momentum.
Thus, the momentum is known exactly. However, the position iscompletely unknown, in agreement with Heisenberg’sUncertainty Principle.
Slide 43
Outline
• Interpretation and Properties of
• Operators and Eigenvalue Equations
• Normalization of the Wavefunction
• Operators in Quantum Mechanics
• Math. Preliminary: Even and Odd Integrals
• Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues
• The 1D Schrödinger Equation: Time Depend. and Indep. Forms
• Math. Preliminary: Probability, Averages and Variance
• Expectation Values (Application to HO wavefunction)
• Hermitian Operators
Slide 44
Expectation Values
Postulate 5: The average (or expectation) value of an observable with the operator  is given by
ˆ*
*
A da
d
ˆ* A d
If is normalized
Expectation values of eigenfunctions
It is straightforward to show that If a is eigenfunction of  with eigenvalue, a, then:
<a> = a
<a2> = a2
a = 0 (i.e. there is no uncertainty in a)
Slide 45
Expectation value of the position
ˆ*
*
x dxx
dx
*
*
x dx
dx
*
*
x dx
dx
( )
( )
xP x dxx
P x dx
This is just the classical expression for calculating theaverage position.
The differences arise when one computes expectation valuesfor quantities whose operators involve derivatives, suchas momentum.
Slide 46
Calculate the following quantities:
<p>
<p2>
p2
<x>
<x2>
x2
xp (to demo. Unc. Prin.)
<KE>
<PE>
Consider the HO wavefunction we have been using in
earlier examples:2 / 2( ) xx A e x
2k
Slide 47
Preliminary: Wavefunction Derivatives2 / 2( ) xx A e
2 / 2xd dA e
dx dx 2
2/ 2 ( / 2)x d x
Aedx
2 / 2 ( 2 / 2 )xA e x
2 / 2xdA xe
dx
22
/ 22
xd d d dA xe
dx dx dx dx
2
2/ 2
/ 2x
xde dxA x e
dx dx
2 2/ 2 / 2( 2 / 2 )x xA x e x e
2 22
2 / 2 / 22
x xdA x e e
dx
Slide 48
<x>
*x x d x
2 2/ 2 / 2x xA e x A e d x
22 xA xe dx
0
<x2>
2 2*x x d x
2 2/ 2 2 / 2x xA e x A e d x
22 2 xA x e d x
1/ 21
24
2 / 2( ) xx A e 1/4
A
1
222 2
02 xA x e d x
22
0
1
4xx e dx
2 1
2x
Also:
Slide 49
2 / 2( ) xx A e 2 / 2xd
A xedx
<p>
ˆd
pi dx
*d
p dxi dx
2 2/ 2 / 2( )x xA e A xe dxi
22
xAxe dx
i
0p
Slide 50
<p2>
22 2
2* ( )
dp dx
dx
2 / 2( ) xx A e 2 22
2 / 2 / 22
x xdA x e e
dx
22 2
2
dp
dx
^
2 2 2/ 2 2 2 / 2 / 2( ) ( )x x xA e A x e e d x
2 22 2 2 x xA x e e d x
2 22 2 2 x xA x e d x e d x
2 2 1 12 24 2
A
2 2 11
2A
2 2 1
2p
2
2
22
0
1
4xx e dx
2
0
1
2xe dx
22
2p
Also:
Slide 51
Uncertainty Principle
22
2p
2 1
2x
22 2 1
2 2x p
2
4
2 2
2x p x p
Slide 52
<KE>
22
2 2
ppKE
21
2 2
2
4
1
4
1
4 2
h
1
4h
<PE>
2 21 1
2 2PE kx k x 1 1
2 2k
4
k
4 /
k
1
4
k
2 1
4
1
4 1
4h
22
2p
2 1
2x
k
Slide 53
Calculate the following quantities:
<x>
<x2>
<p>
<p2>
p2x
2
xp
<KE>
<PE>
Consider the HO wavefunction we have been using in
earlier examples:2 / 2( ) xx A e x
2k
= 0 = 0
= 1/(2)
= 1/(2)
= ħ2/2
= ħ2/2
= ħ/2 (this is a demonstration of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle)
= ¼ħ = ¼h
= ¼ħ = ¼h
Slide 54
Outline
• Interpretation and Properties of
• Operators and Eigenvalue Equations
• Normalization of the Wavefunction
• Operators in Quantum Mechanics
• Math. Preliminary: Even and Odd Integrals
• Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues
• The 1D Schrödinger Equation: Time Depend. and Indep. Forms
• Math. Preliminary: Probability, Averages and Variance
• Expectation Values (Application to HO wavefunction)
• Hermitian Operators
Slide 55
Hermitian Operators
GeneralDefinition: An operator  is Hermitian if it satisfies the relation:
ˆ ˆ( ) * *A d A d “Simplified”Definition (=): An operator  is Hermitian if it satisfies the relation:
ˆ ˆ( ) * *A d A d
It can be proven that if an operator  satisfies the “simplified” definition,it also satisfies the more general definition.(“Quantum Chemistry”, I. N. Levine, 5th. Ed.)
So what? Why is it important that a quantum mechanical operator be Hermitian?
Slide 56
The eigenvalues of Hermitian operators must be real.
Proof: ˆ ˆ( ) * *A d A d A a and
a* = a
i.e. a is real
In a similar manner, it can be proven that the expectation values<a> of an Hermitian operator must be real.
( ) * *a d a d
* * *a d a d
* * *a d a d
Slide 57
Is the operator x (multiplication by x) Hermitian?
ˆ ˆ( ) * *A d A d
Yes.
Is the operator ix Hermitian? No.
ˆd
pi dx
Is the momentum operator Hermitian?
Math Preliminary: Integration by Parts
( )d uv dv duu v
dx dx dx
( )dv d uv duu vdx dx dx
( )d v d u v duu d x d x v d xd x d x d x
dv duu dx u v v d xd x d x
You are NOT responsible for the proof outlined below, butonly for the result.
Yes: I’ll outline the proof
Slide 58
ˆ ˆ( ) * *A d A d dv duu dx u v v d xd x d x
ˆd
pi dx
Is the momentum operator Hermitian?
**
d ddx dx
i dx i dx
?The question is whether:
**
d ddx dx
dx dx
?
or:
The latter equality can be proven by using Integration by Partswith: u = and v = *, together with the fact that both and * arezero at x = . Next Slide
Slide 59
Thus, the momentum operator IS Hermitian
?*??*
d ddx dx
i dx i dx
*
* ??d d
dx dxdx dx
or:
dv duu dx u v v d xd x d x
Let u = and v = *: ** *
0 *
d ddx dx
dx dxddx
dx
Because and *vanish at x = ±∞
Therefore:*
*d d
dx dxdx dx
?
?
**
d ddx dx
i dx i dx
Slide 60
By similar methods, one can show that:
d
dxis NOT Hermitian (see last slide)
IS Hermitiandidx
2
2
d
dxIS Hermitian (proven by applying integration by parts twice successively)
The Hamiltonian:2 2
2( )
2
dH V x
m dx
IS Hermitian
Slide 61
Outline (Cont’d.)
• Commutation of Operators
• Differentiability and Completeness of the Wavefunctions
• Dirac “Bra-Ket” Notation
• Orthogonality of Wavefunctions
Slide 62
Orthogonality of Eigenfunctions
Assume that we have two different eigenfunctions of the sameHamiltonian: i i i j j jH E a n d H E
If the two eigenvalues, Ei = Ej, the eigenfunctions (aka wavefunctions)are degenerate. Otherwise, they are non-degenerate eigenfunctions
We prove below that non-degenerate eigenfunctions are orthogonal to each other.
* *j i i jH d H d Because the Hamiltonianis Hermitian
*( ) 0i j j iE E d
Proof:
* *j i i i j jE d E d * *i j jE d
* * *i j i j i jE d E d *
j j iE d
Slide 63
*( ) 0i j j iE E d
Thus, if Ei Ej (i.e. the eigenfunctions are not degenerate,
then: * 0j i d We say that the two eigenfunctions are orthogonal
If the eigenfunctions are also normalized, then we can say thatthey are orthonormal.
*j i i jd
ij is the Kronecker Delta, defined by:
1
0
ij
ij
if i j
if i j
Slide 64
Linear Combinations of Degenerate Eigenfunctions
Assume that we have two different eigenfunctions of the sameHamiltonian: i i i j j jH E a n d H E
If Ej = Ei, the eigenfunctions are degenerate. In this case, any linearcombination of i and j is also an eigenfunction of the Hamiltonian
i ja b
( ) ( )i j i jH a b a H b H
iH E
Thus, any linear combination of degenerate eigenfunctions is alsoan eigenfunction of the Hamiltonian.
If we wish, we can use this fact to construct degenerate eigenfunctionsthat are orthogonal to each other.
Proof:
( )i i j jaE bE
( ) ( )i j i i jH a b E a b o r If Ej = Ei ,
Slide 65
Outline (Cont’d.)
• Commutation of Operators
• Differentiability and Completeness of the Wavefunctions
• Dirac “Bra-Ket” Notation
• Orthogonality of Wavefunctions
Slide 66
Commutation of Operators
ˆ ˆˆ ˆA B B A ?
Not necessarily!! If the result obtained applying two operatorsin opposite orders are the same, the operatorsare said to commute with each other.
Whether or not two operators commute has physical implications,as shall be discussed below.
One defines the “commutator” of two operators as:
ˆ ˆ ˆˆ ˆ ˆ,A B AB BA
If ˆ ˆ, 0A B for all , the operators commute.
Slide 67
A B ˆ ˆ,A B
x x2 0 Operators commute
0 Operators commute3d
dx
-iħ Operators DO NOT commuteˆd
pi dx
x x
And so??
Why does it matter whether or not two operators commute?
Slide 68
Significance of Commuting Operators
ˆ ˆn n n n n nA a and B b
Let’s say that two different operators, A and B, have thesame set of eigenfunctions, n:
^ ^
This means that the observables corresponding to both operators can be exactly determined simultaneously.
Conversely, it can be proven that if two operators do notcommute, then the operators cannot have simultaneouseigenfunctions.
This means that it is not possible to determine bothquantities exactly; i.e. the product of the uncertaintiesis greater than zero.
Then it can be proven**
that the two operators commute; i.e. ˆ ˆ, 0A B
**e.g. Quantum Chemistry (5th. Ed.), by I. N. Levine, Sect. 5.1
Slide 69
We just showed that the momentum and position operators do not
commute: ˆ ˆ, 0xp x i
This means that the momentum and position of a particle cannotboth be determined exactly; the product of their uncertainties isgreater than 0.
0xp x
If the position is known exactly ( x=0 ), then the momentumis completely undetermined ( px ), and vice versa.
This is the basis for the uncertainty principle, which we demonstratedabove for the wavefunction for a Harmonic Oscillator, wherewe showed that px = ħ/2.
Slide 70
Outline (Cont’d.)
• Commutation of Operators
• Differentiability and Completeness of the Wavefunctions
• Dirac “Bra-Ket” Notation
• Orthogonality of Wavefunctions
Slide 71
Differentiability and Completenessof the Wavefunction
Differentiability of
It is proven in in various texts** that the first derivative of the wavefunction, d/dx, must be continuous.
** e.g. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics in Chemistry, M. A. Ratner and G. C. Schatz, Sect. 2.7
x
This wavefunction would not be acceptablebecause of the sudden change in thederivative.
The one exception to the continuous derivative requirement isif V(x).
We will see that this property is useful when setting “BoundaryConditions” for a particle in a box with a finite potential barrier.
Slide 72
Completeness of the Wavefunction
The set of eigenfunctions of the Hamiltonian, n , form a “complete set”.
n nH E
This means that any “well behaved” function defined over thesame interval (i.e. - to for a Harmonic Oscillator, 0 to a for a particle in a box, ...) can be written as a linear combinationof the eigenfunctions; i.e.
1
( ) n nn
f x c
We will make use of this property in later chapters when wediscuss approximate solutions of the Schrödinger equation formulti-electron atoms and molecules.
Slide 73
Outline (Cont’d.)
• Commutation of Operators
• Differentiability and Completeness of the Wavefunctions
• Dirac “Bra-Ket” Notation
• Orthogonality of Wavefunctions
Slide 74
Dirac “Bra-Ket” Notation
A standard “shorthand” notation, developed by Dirac, and termed“bra-ket” notation, is commonly used in textbooks andresearch articles.
In this notation: ˆ ˆ* A d A
is the “bra”: It represents the complex conjugate partof the integrand
is the “ket”: It represents the non-conjugate partof the integrand
Slide 75
In Bra-Ket notation, we have the following:
“Scalar Product” of two functions: 1 2 1 2* d
ˆ ˆ* *A d A d HermitianOperators:
Orthogonality: * 0i j i jd
Normalization: * 1i i i id
ˆ ˆA A
ˆ ˆ*
*
A d Aa
d
ExpectationValue: