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    HW 3

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    Yeshan Juberi
    This homework assignment includes three problems: 1) Converting a quantum operator to a matrix in different bases. 2) Calculating the expectation value and uncertainty of measurements on a system in a given state. 3) Analyzing a Gaussian wavepacket, including normalization, position and momentum expectations.

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    HW 3

    Uploaded by

    Yeshan Juberi
    11 views2 pages
    This homework assignment includes three problems: 1) Converting a quantum operator to a matrix in different bases. 2) Calculating the expectation value and uncertainty of measurements on a system in a given state. 3) Analyzing a Gaussian wavepacket, including normalization, position and momentum expectations.

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    This homework assignment includes three problems: 1) Converting a quantum operator to a matrix in different bases. 2) Calculating the expectation value and uncertainty of measurements on a system in a given state. 3) Analyzing a Gaussian wavepacket, including normalization, position and momentum expectations.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    11 views2 pages

    HW 3

    Uploaded by

    Yeshan Juberi
    This homework assignment includes three problems: 1) Converting a quantum operator to a matrix in different bases. 2) Calculating the expectation value and uncertainty of measurements on a system in a given state. 3) Analyzing a Gaussian wavepacket, including normalization, position and momentum expectations.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    PHYS-4601 Homework 3 Due 27 Sept 2018

    This homework is due in the dropbox outside 2L26 by 10:59PM on the due date. You may alter-
    nately email a PDF (typed or black-and-white scanned) or give a hardcopy to Dr. Frey.

    1. Dyad to Matrix
    Let {|1i, |2i, |3i} be an orthonormal basis and the operator

    Q = |1ih1| − i|2ih1| + i|1ih2| + 2i|3ih2| − 2i|2ih3| + 4|3ih3| . (1)

    (a) Find the matrix element h3|Q3 |1i.


    (b) Write Q as a matrix in the {|1i, |2i, |3i} basis. This is the basis where
         
    1 0 0
    |1i '  0  , |2i '  1  , |3i '  0  . (2)
         
    0 0 1

    (c) Finally, define a new basis {|e1 i, |e2 i, |e3 i} with

    |1i + 2|3i 2|1i − |3i


    |e1 i = √ , |e2 i = |2i , |e3 i = √ (3)
    5 5
    (I have checked for you that this basis is orthonormal). First write Q as a dyad operator
    in terms of this new basis and then write Q as a matrix in this basis.

    2. Expectation and Uncertainty


    Consider an observable L with three eigenvalues +1, 0, and -1 and corresponding eigenstates
    | + 1i, |0i, | − 1i. We have a system in state
    1 
    |ψi = | + 1i + 2eiβ |0i + 2| − 1i . (4)
    3
    (a) What is the probability of measuring each of the three eigenvalues of L?
    (b) Find the expectation value and uncertainty of a measurement of L.
    (c) Another observable A acts on the L eigenbasis as
    1 1 1
    A| + 1i = √ |0i , A|0i = √ (| + 1i + | − 1i) , A| − 1i = √ |0i . (5)
    2 2 2
    Find the expectation value and uncertainty of A in state |ψi.

    3. Gaussian Wavepacket Part I


    Here we take a first look at the Gaussian wavepacket in 1D, which is an important state in
    more than one physical system. In this problem, we will consider the state at a single instant
    t = 0, ignoring its time evolution. The state is
    Z ∞
    2
    |ψi = dx Ae−ax |xi . (6)
    −∞

    Note that these results will be useful in future assignments.


    (a) Find the normalization constant A. Hint: To integrate a Gaussian, consider its square.
    When you square it, change the dummy integration variable to y, then change the integral
    over dxdy to plane polar coordinates. The textbook cover also has a formula for Gaussian
    integrals.
    (b) Since the wavefunction is even, hxi = 0. Find hx2 i. Hint: You can get a factor of x2 next
    to the Gaussian by differentiating it with respect to the parameter a.
    (c) Write |ψi in the momentum basis. Hint: If you have a quantity ax2 + bx somewhere, you
    may find it useful to write it as a(x + b/2a)2 − b2 /4a by completing the square. Then shift
    integration variables so it looks like you have a Gaussian again.
    (d) Find hpi and hp2 i and show that this state saturates the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

    Page 2

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