Can you graph complex #'s in Mathematica?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on graphing complex numbers in Mathematica, specifically for visualizing a one-dimensional wavefunction that evolves over time as an eigenstate of the Hamiltonian. The user initially attempted to use Plot3D but found it ineffective. The solution provided involves using ParametricPlot3D within a Manipulate function to animate the wavefunction's evolution, demonstrating how it rotates through the real and complex planes. The discussion also references a Mathematica notebook that showcases additional features like superposition.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wavefunctions and eigenstates in quantum mechanics
  • Familiarity with Mathematica's plotting functions, particularly Plot3D and ParametricPlot3D
  • Basic knowledge of complex numbers and their representation in a graphical format
  • Experience with the Manipulate function in Mathematica for interactive visualizations
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  • Explore advanced features of Manipulate in Mathematica for creating dynamic visualizations
  • Learn about the Hamiltonian operator and its role in quantum mechanics
  • Investigate the use of superposition in quantum wavefunctions and its graphical representation
  • Study the implications of time evolution in quantum mechanics using Mathematica
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Quantum physicists, educators in physics, and Mathematica users interested in visualizing complex wavefunctions and their time evolution.

DharmaBum
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I want to evolve a 1 dimensional wavefunction forward in time. It is an eigenstate of the Hamiltonian, so its time dependence is e^(-i * w * t). Is there a way to graph it on the x-axis and animate it to show how it rotates through the real and complex planes?
This is how I have tried it; it doesn't work.
Plot3D[ψ[x, 100, .1, 1, t], {x, 0, 100}, {t, 0, 600}, AxesLabel -> {"
Real", "x", "\[ImaginaryI]"}]
 
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ParametricPlot3D to the rescue!
Manipulate[
ParametricPlot3D[{Sin[Pi*q/2]*Cos[-Pi*t/50],
Sin[Pi*q/2]*Sin[-Pi*t/50], q}, {q, 0, 2},
AxesLabel -> {"Re", "Im", "x"}, PlotStyle -> {Thick, Red},
PlotRange -> {{-1.0, 1.0}, {-1.0, 1.0}, {0.0, 2.0}}], {t, 0, 100, 0.1}]
This will play the ground state of an infinite square well forward in time. If you use the option, ViewPoint -> {0, Infinity, 0}, you will see the standard real plot.
I have put together a http://spot.colorado.edu/~goldy/Mathematica/TimeDependentWaveFunction.nb" which shows some of the features you can show (such as superposition).
 
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