Recent content by dwdoyle

A diagonal matrix has only diagonal elements. That doesn't mean ##W_{aa} = W_{bb}##. A nondiagonal matrix has off diagonal elements. That doesn't mean ##W_{ab} = W_{ba}##. I don't understand how the given perturbation, it's interaction with the degenerate wave and the matrix elements relate...

Im asking how to interpret diagonal / non diagonal perturbation hamiltonians. And how Wij being diagonal / not diagonal relates to the symmetry or lack of symmetry of a given perturbation. I really don't see how the answer to my questions reduces to whether or not I know the definition of a...

Homework Statement I did poorly on my exam, which I thought was very fair, and am now trying to understand certain aspects of perturbation theory. There are a total of three, semi related problems which i have questions about. They are mainly qualitative in nature and involve an intuitive...