Angular momentum operator Definition and 48 Threads

While studying for my exam I came across the addition of two angular momenta, in the simple case of ##J=L+S## where ##L## is the angular momentum operator and ##S## is the spin (in this case a fermion with ##s=1/2##). I have some doubts on the derivation of the basis and the eigenvalues. From...

What I've done is $$\vec{L}^2 = \varepsilon_{ijk}x^jp^k\varepsilon_{imn}x^mp^n = (\delta_{jm}\delta_{kn} - \delta_{jn}\delta_{km})x^jp^kx^mp^n = x^jp^kx^jp^k - x^jp^kx^kp^j = $$ $$ = x^jx^jp^kp^k - i\hbar x^jp^j - x^jp^kx^kp^j = $$ $$ = x^jx^jp^kp^k - i\hbar x^jp^j - (x^jx^kp^kp^j - i\hbar...

By considering a particle on a ring, the eigenfunctions of ##H## are also eigenfunctions of ##L_\text{z}##: $$\psi(\phi) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}}e^{im\phi}$$ with ##m = 0,\pm 1,\pm 2,\cdots##. In polar coordinates, the corresponding operators are $$H =...

My attempt/questions: I use ##T^{0i} = \dot{\phi}\partial^i \phi##, ##\dot{\phi} = \pi##, and antisymmetry of ##Q_i## to get: ##Q_i = 2\epsilon_{ijk}\int d^3x [x^j \partial^k \phi(\vec{x})] \pi(\vec{x})##. I then plug in the expansions for ##\phi(\vec{x})## and ##\pi(\vec{x})## and multiply...

One of the component of angular momentum operator is ##\hat{L}_{x}=\hat{y} \hat{P}_{z}-\hat{z} \hat{P}_{y}## I want it's position representation. My attempt : I'll find the representation of the first term ##\hat{y} \hat{P}_{z}##. The total representation is the sum of two terms. The...

Dear PF, I hope I've formulated my question understandable enough. Thank you for your time, Garli

1. The problem statement I want to write the angular momentum operator ##L## for a 2-dimensional harmonic oscillator, in terms of its ladder operators, ##a_x##, ##a_y##, ##a_x^\dagger## & ##a_y^\dagger##, and then prove that this commutes with its Hamiltonian. The Attempt at a Solution I get...

I am working through Lessons in Particle Physics by Luis Anchordoqui and Francis Halzen; the link is https://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0906/0906.1271v2.pdf. I am on page 11, equation 1.3.20. The authors have defined an operator ##L_{\mu\nu} = i( x_\mu \partial \nu - x_\nu \partial \mu)##...

There are two types of angular momentum: orbital and spin. If we define their operators as pseudo-vectors \vec{L} and \vec{S}, then we can also define the total angular momentum operator \vec{J} = \vec{L}+\vec{S}. Standard commutation relations will show that we can have simultaneous well...

I am reading a proof of why \left[ \hat{L}_x, \hat{L}_y \right ] = i \hbar \hat{L}_z Given a wavefunction \psi, \hat{L}_x, \hat{L}_y \psi = \left( -i\hbar \right)^2 \left( y \frac{\partial}{\partial z} - z \frac {\partial}{\partial y} \right ) \left (z \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x} -...

Homework Statement Consider a particle with angular momentum l=1. Write down the matrix representation for the operators L_x,\,L_y,\,L_z,for this particle. Let the Hamiltonian of this particle be H = aL\cdot L-gL_z,\,g>0.Find its energy values and eigenstates. At time t=0,we make a measurement...

Homework Statement Let ##\left|\psi\right\rangle## be a non-degenerate stationary state, i.e. an eigenstate of the Hamiltonian. Suppose the system exhibits symmetry for time inversion, but not necessarily for rotations. Show that the expectation value for the angular momentum operator is zero...

Hello everyone Homework Statement I have been given the testfunction \phi(\alpha, r)=\sqrt{(\frac{\alpha^3}{\pi})}exp(-\alpha r) , and the potential V(r,\theta, \phi)=V(r)=-\frac{e^2}{r}exp(\frac{-r}{a}) Given that I have to write down the hamiltonian (in spherical coordinates I assume), and...

I would like to prove that the angular momentum operators ##\vec{J} = \vec{x} \times \vec{p} = \vec{x} \times (-i\vec{\nabla})## can be used to obtain the commutation relations ##[J_{i},J_{j}]=i\epsilon_{ijk}J_{k}##. Something's gone wrong with my proof below. Can you point out the mistake...

Hi everyone, I tried to find the Eigenstate of the angular momentum operator myself, more specifically I tried to find a Function Y_{lm}(\theta,\phi) with L_zY_{lm}=mħY_{lm} and L^2Y_{lm}=l(l+1)ħ^2Y_{lm} where L_z=-iħ\frac{\partial}{\partial \phi} and...

Hi all, Quick quantum question. I understand the total angular momentum operation \hat{L}^2 \psi _{nlm} = \hbar\ell(\ell + 1) \psi _{nlm} which means the total angular momentum is L = \sqrt{\hbar\ell(\ell + 1)} But how about applying this to an arbitrary superposition of eigenstates such as...

Hello, For the spin angular momentum operator, the eigenvalue problem can be formed into matrix form. I will use ##S_{z}## as my example $$S_{z} | \uparrow \rangle = \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ c & d \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} = \frac {\hbar}{2} \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0...

Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution This whole thing about angular momentum has me totally confused and stumped, but I am trying this problem given in a youtube video lecture I watched. I know of this equation ##L^{2} = L_{\pm}L_{\mp} + L_{z}^{2} \mp \hbar L_{z}##...

One can represent the mean of the angular momentum operator as a vector. But what is the (mathematical) justification to represent the operator by a vector which has a direction that the operator has not. Yet worse, l(l+1) h2 is the proper value of operator L^2 and from such result it is assumed...

Note: physics conventions, \theta is measured from z-axis We have a vector operator \vec{L} = -i \vec{r} \times \vec{\nabla} = -i\left(\hat{\phi} \frac{\partial}{\partial \theta} - \hat{\theta} \frac{1}{\sin\theta} \frac{\partial}{\partial \phi} \right) And apparently \vec{L}\cdot\vec{L}=...

Hi guys, this might be a stupid question but if I wanted a general expression for the time evolution of the angular momentum operator is it just the same as Hamiltonian? i.e ih ∂/∂t ψ = L2 ψ Solving this partial differential gives the time evolution of the angular momentum operator...

What are the "matrix elements" of the angular momentum operator? Hello, I just recently learned about angular momentum operator. So far, I liked expressing my operators in this way: http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/8/2/6/826d794e3ca9681934aea7588961cafe.png I like it this way because it...

Homework Statement I'm running through practice papers for my 3rd year physics exam on atomic and nuclear physics: This is the operator we found in the previous part of the question L = -i*(hbar)*d/dθ Next, we need to find the eigenvalues and normalised wavefunctions of L The...

Hi guys, I need help on interpreting this solution. Let me have two wave functions: \phi_1 = N_1(r) (x+iy) \phi_2 = N_2(r) (x-iy) If the angular momentum acts on both of them, the result will be: L_z \phi_1 = \hbar \phi_1 L_z \phi_2 = -\hbar \phi_2 My concern is, \phi_1 and \phi_2...

Homework Statement Using the operator identity: \hat{L}^2=\hat{L}_-\hat{L}_+ +\hat{L}_z^2 + \hbar\hat{L}_z show explicitly: \hat{L}^2 = -\hbar^2 \left[ \frac{1}{\sin^2\theta} \frac{\partial^2}{\partial\phi^2} + \frac{1}{\sin\theta} \frac{\partial}{\partial\theta}...

Greetings, My task is to prove that the angular momentum operator is hermitian. I started out as follows: \vec{L}=\vec{r}\times\vec{p} Where the above quantities are vector operators. Taking the hermitian conjugate yields \vec{L''}=\vec{p''}\times\vec{r''} Here I have used double...

Homework Statement I do not understand equal signs 2 and 3 the following Angular momentum operator identity: Homework Equations \hat{J}^2 = \hat{J}_1^2+\hat{J}_2^2 +\hat{J}_3^2 = \left(\hat{J}_1 +i\hat{J}_2 \right)\left(\hat{J}_1 -i\hat{J}_2 \right) +\hat{J}_3^2 + i...

I have some doubts about the implications of the orbital angular operators and its eigenvectors (maybe the reason is that I have a weak knowledge on QM). If we choose the measurement of the z axis and therefore the Lz operator, the are the following spherical harmonics for l=1...

Homework Statement Prove that e^{-i \pi J_x} \mid j,m \rangle =e^{-i \pi j} \mid j,-m \rangle Homework Equations J_x \mid j,m \rangle =\frac{\hbar}{2} [\sqrt{(j-m)(j+m+1)} \mid j,m+1 \rangle + \sqrt{(j+m)(j-m+1)} \mid j,m-1 \rangle] The Attempt at a Solution Expanding e^{-i \pi J_x}...

The letters next to p and L should be subscripts. [Lz, px] = [xpy − ypx, px] = [xpy, px] − [ypx, px] = py[x, px] −0 = i(hbar)
py 1.In this calculation, why is [x, px] not 0 even they commute? 2.Why is py put on the left instead of the right in the second last step? i thought it should be...

Homework Statement I know that,if (operator)(function)=(value)(samefunction) that function is said to be eigenfunction of the operator. in this case i need to show this function to be eigenfunction of the Lz angular momentum:Homework Equations function: ψ=(x+iy)/r operator: Lz= (h bar)/i (x...

Homework Statement Find wave functions of the states of a particle in a harmonic oscillator potential that are eigenstates of Lz operator with eigenvalues -1 h , 0, 1 h and have smallest possible eigenenergies. Check whether these states are also the eigenstates of L^2 operator. Eventually...

Homework Statement For an angular momentum operator ~L =ˆiLx +ˆjˆLy + ˆkˆLz = ˆr × ˆp, prove that [ˆLx, ˆLy] = i\hbarˆLz, [ˆLx, ˆLz] = −i\hbarˆLy, [ˆL2, ˆLx] = 0, [p^{2}, ˆLx] = 0, [r^{2}, ˆLx] = 0, [ˆLx, ˆy] = i\hbarˆz, [ˆLx, ˆpy] = i\hbarˆPz. **Note: I'm really only looking for help for the...

Homework Statement Let the angular part of a wave function be proportional to x2+y2 Show that the wave function is an eigenfunction of Lz and calculate the associated eigenvalue. Homework Equations Lz = xpy-ypx px = -i\hbar\frac{\partial}{\partialx} py =...

can someone please help me with this. it's killing me. Homework Statement to show \left[\vec{L}^{2}\left[\vec{L}^{2},\vec{r}\right]\right]=2\hbar^{2}(\vec{r}\vec{L}^{2}+\vec{L}^{2}\vec{r})Homework Equations I have already established a result (from the hint of the question) that...

Hello All, I'm trying to understand how the (j,j') representation of the Lorentz group. Following Ryder, I can see why we define A=J+iK and B=J-iK, which each form an SU(2) group. So it's clear to me what the rep of these generators is when acting on a state (j,j'): Rep(A)\otimes1+1\otimes...

Homework Statement Hey forum, I copied the problem from a pdf file and uploaded the image: http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/6345/problem4.png What is the probability that the measurement of L^{2} will yield 2\hbar^{2} Homework Equations \left\langle L^{2} \right\rangle = \left\langle \Psi...

For the operator L(z) = -ih[d/d(phi)] phi = azimuthal angle 1) write the general form of the eigenfunctions and the eigenvalues. 2) a particle has azimuthal wave function PHI = A*cos(phi) what are the possible results of a measurement of the observable L(z) and what is the...

Homework Statement http://img716.imageshack.us/i/captur2e.png/ http://img716.imageshack.us/i/captur2e.png/ Homework Equations Stuck on the last part The Attempt at a Solution http://img689.imageshack.us/i/capturevz.png/ http://img689.imageshack.us/i/capturevz.png/

The operators used for the x and y components of angular momentum are: Show that Lx and Lz obey an uncertainty relation 2. No relevant equations. The Attempt at a Solution I'm going on that the assumption that if LxLy - LyLz does not equal zero then they don't...

Homework Statement Does Px Lx operators commute? Homework Equations This is just me wondering The Attempt at a Solution I tried doing this and I got something weird, my friend said that when you take a derviative with respect z or something that when you try to take the derivative of...

Suppose we're in two dimensions, and both particles have mass 1. Particle 1's location is given by its polar coordinates (r_1,\theta_1); likewise for Particle 2 (r_2,\theta_2). Is it true that the total angular momentum \vec{L} is just the sum of the individual angular momenta of the...

Homework Statement Consider wavefunction psi (subscript "nlm") describing the electron in the stationary state for the hydrogen atom with quantum numbers n,l,m and the third component L3 for the orbital angular momentum operator L. What is the expectation value of L3 and of L3^2 for the...

Homework Statement The matrix R(q) for rotating an ordinary vector by q around the z-axis is given by@ cosq -sinq 0 sinq cosq 0 0 0 1 From R calculate the matrix J(z). Homework Equations -The Attempt at a Solution All I know is that U(q) = exp[-iJ(z)q] is the unitary...

Homework Statement I am basically trying to show that LxLy-LyLx=i(hbar)LzHomework Equations Lx=yPz-zPy Ly=zPx-xPzThe Attempt at a Solution I get to the end where I have i(hbar)Lz-z*y*PxPz+z*xPyPz. How do I get these last two terms to cancel out? I am not too strong in operator math (it hasnt...

Hello, sorry I am new to this forum, I hope I found the right category. I have a question about the momentum operator as in Sakurai's "modern quantum mechanics" on p. 196 If I let 1-\frac{i}{\hbar} d\phi L_{z} = 1-\frac{i}{\hbar} d\phi (xp_{y}-yp_{x}) act on an eigenket | x,y,z...

as known to all, we can find a matrix representation for every operator in quantum mechanics. for example for total angular momentum of one particle j(square) the elements are j(j+1)(square)h(bar) δmm' However I have stucked in two particle systems. for example I could not find the...

Okay, if I want to do a Fourier Analysis of a wavefunction, I can use the following transform pairs for real space and momentum space. Ψ(x) = (2π hbar)^(-1/2) * ∫ dp Φ(p) exp(ipx/hbar) Φ(p) = (2π hbar)^(-1/2) * ∫ dx Ψ(x) exp(-ipx/hbar) So, what I want to...