Can Fourier Transformation be Used for Amplitude of a Free Particle?

[karlsson]

I hope this is the correct place for my question. I posted it here, because it`s from Peskin & Schroeder:
"Consider the amplitude for a free particle to propagate from \mathbf{x}_{0} to \mathbf{x} :

U(t)=\left\langle \mathbf{x}\right|e^{-iHt}\left|\mathbf{x_{0}}\right\rangle

In nonrelativistic quantum mechanics we have E=p^2/2m, so

U(t)&=&\left\langle \mathbf{x}\right|e^{-i(\mathbf{p}^{2}/2m)t}\left|\mathbf{x}_{0}\right\rangle

<br /> =\int\frac{d^{3}p}{(2\pi)^{3}}\left\langle \mathbf{x}\right|e^{-i(\mathbf{p}^{2}/2m)t}\left|\mathbf{p}\right\rangle \left\langle \mathbf{p}\right.\left|\mathbf{x_{0}}\right\rangle

<br /> =\frac{1}{(2\pi)^{3}}\int d^{3}p\, e^{-i(\mathbf{p}^{2}/2m)t}\cdot e^{i\mathbf{p}\cdot(\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{x}_{0})}<br />

<br /> =\left(\frac{m}{2\pi it}\right)^{3/2}\, e^{im(\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{x}_{0})/2t}}<br />
."

I don't understand the last equation.
Why I can't use the fourier-transformation:

<br /> =\frac{1}{(2\pi)^{3}}\int d^{3}p\, e^{-i\mathbf{p}\cdot(\mathbf{x}_{0}-\mathbf{x})}\widetilde{f}(\mathbf{p})<br />

<br /> =f(\mathbf{p})<br />

<br /> =e^{-i(\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{x}_{0})^{2}/2m)t}<br />

 

[Marco_84]

but is what you have don actually ;)

marco

 

[karlsson]

Sry, I don't understand. My solution is a different one as from Peskin & Schroeder. But why?

 

[jensa]

<br /> =\int\frac{d^{3}p}{(2\pi)^{3}}\left\langle \mathbf{x}\right|e^{-i(\mathbf{p}^{2}/2m)t}\left|\mathbf{p}\right\rangle \left\langle \mathbf{p}\right.\left|\mathbf{x_{0}}\right\rangle

<br /> =\frac{1}{(2\pi)^{3}}\int d^{3}p\, e^{-i(\mathbf{p}^{2}/2m)t}\cdot e^{i\mathbf{p}\cdot(\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{x}_{0})}<br />

<br /> =\left(\frac{m}{2\pi it}\right)^{3/2}\, e^{im(\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{x}_{0})/2t}}<br />
."

I don't understand the last equation.

The last step is made by completing the square and evaluating the gaussian integral (although with complex coefficient). I suspect the expression should be ~exp[im(x-x_0)^2/2t] though...

Why I can't use the fourier-transformation:

The last step is precisely the evaluation of a Fourier transform. In what you write next:

<br /> =\frac{1}{(2\pi)^{3}}\int d^{3}p\, e^{-i\mathbf{p}\cdot(\mathbf{x}_{0}-\mathbf{x})}\widetilde{f}(\mathbf{p})<br />

<br /> =f(\mathbf{p})<br />

<br /> =e^{-i(\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{x}_{0})^{2}/2m)t}<br />

It looks like you have simply taken \widetilde{f}=f and replaced the \mathbf{p} argument with \mathbf{x}-\mathbf{x}_0.. If so then this is wrong. The Fourier transform should be evaluated as in the last step of your first equation (i.e. completing the square as I wrote)

 

[karlsson]

I suspect the expression should be ~exp[im(x-x_0)^2/2t] though...

You are right.

The last step is made by completing the square and evaluating the gaussian integral ...

Thanks a lot.