Eigenfunction Definition and 113 Threads

I am trying to find solutions for the Klien-Gordon equations in 1-d particle in a box. The difference here is the box itself oscillating and has boundary conditions that are time dependent, something like this L(t)=L0+ΔLsin(ωt). My initial approach is to use a homogeneous solution and use...

I know that completeness (roughly) implies that (almost) all functions can be decomposed into a sum of eigenfunctions of a Hermitian operator. ##\psi=\sum_n \alpha_n \psi_n##. Clearly, there have to be some restrictions on the function itself, and the operator as well. But what is that? My...

Hello! I read that for a symmetric top (oblate or prolate) we can find the exact eigenfunctions (in terms of Winger matrices) and eigenstates, but we can't do it in general for an asymmetric top. I am not sure I understand why. The Hamiltonian for an asymmetric top, for a given J, can be written...

Here is what I tried. Suppose ##f(\phi)## and ##\lambda## is the eigenfunction and eigenvalue of the given operator. That is, $$\sin\frac{d f}{d\phi} = \lambda f$$ Differentiating once, $$f'' \cos f' = \lambda f' = f'' \sqrt{1-\sin^2f'}$$ $$f''\sqrt{1-\lambda^2 f^2} = \lambda f'$$ I have no...

I searched through the courses but I can't find any formula to help me prove that the expression is an eigenfunction. Am I missing something? What are the formulas needed for this problem statement?

I am just solving the equation $$\frac{h}{2\pi i}\frac{\partial F}{\partial x} = pF$$, finding $$F = e^{\frac{ipx2\pi }{h}}C_{1}$$, and$$ \int_{-\infty }^{\infty }C_{1}^2 = 1$$, which gives me $$C_{1} = \frac{1}{(2\pi)^{1/2} }$$, so i am getting the answer without the h- in the denominator...

This is a general property of eigenvectors of Hermitian operators. State functions are a particular class of vector, and it is easiest to work in the general formalism (I am hoping to show how ket notation makes qm easier, not just do standard bookwork at this level). Suppose O is a Hermitian...

Hello everyone. I am currently using the pca function from MATLAB on a gaussian process. Matlab's pca offers three results. Coeff, Score and Latent. Latent are the eigenvalues of the covariance matrix, Coeff are the eigenvectors of said matrix and Score are the representation of the original...

I started with the first of the relevant equations, replacing the p with the operator -iħ∇ and expanding the squared term to yield: H = (-ħ^2 / 2m)∇^2 + (iqħ/m)A·∇ + (q^2 / 2m)A^2 + qV But since A = (1/2)B x r (iqħ/m)A·∇ = (iqħ / 2m)(r x ∇)·B = -(q / 2m)L·B = -(qB_0 / 2m)L_z and A^2 =...

Hello! I am stuck at the following question: Show that the wave function is an eigenfunction of the Hamiltonian if the two electrons do not interact, where the Hamiltonian is given as; the wave function and given as; and the energy and Born radius are given as: and I used this for ∇...

1. Homework Statement Consider a potential field $$V(r)=\begin{cases}\infty, &x\in(-\infty,0]\\\frac{\hslash^2}{m}\Omega\delta(x-a), &x\in(0,\infty)\end{cases}$$ The eigenfunction of the wave function in this field suffices...

Consider a potential cavity $$V(r)=\begin{cases}\infty, &x\in(-\infty,0]\\\frac{\hslash^2}{m}\Omega\delta(x-a), &x\in(0,\infty)\end{cases}$$ The eigenfunction of the wave function in this field suffices $$-\frac{\hslash^2}{2m}\frac{d^2\psi}{dx^2}+\frac{\hslash^2}{m}\Omega\delta(x-a)\psi=E\psi$$...

Homework Statement Homework Equations ##\hat{P}= -ih d/dx## The Attempt at a Solution To actually obtain ##\psi_{p_0}## I guess one can apply the momentum operator on the spatial wavefunction. If we consider a free particle (V=0) we can easily get obtain ##\psi = e^{\pm i kx}##, where ##k=...

defind ## \hat{A}f(x)=f(-x) ## find eigenfunction and eigenvalue I think ## \frac{d}{dx} ( \hat{A}f(x) ) = \frac{d}{dx} f(-x) ## ## \hat{A} \frac{d}{dx}f(x) + f(x) \frac{d}{dx} \hat{A} = -\frac{d}{dx} f(x)## ## \hat{A} \frac{d}{dx}f(x) + \frac{d}{dx} f(x) = -f(x) \frac{d}{dx} \hat{A}## ##...

Hi at all, I'm tring to solve Schrodinger equation in spherically symmetry with these bondary conditions: ##\lim_{r \rightarrow 0} u(r)\ltimes r^{l+1}## ##\lim_{r \rightarrow 0} u'(r)\ltimes (l+1)r^{l}## For eigenvalues, the text I'm following says that I have to consider that the...

Homework Statement If the first two energy eigenfunctions are ## \psi _0(x) = (\frac {1}{\sqrt \pi a})^ \frac{1}{2} e^\frac{-x^2}{2a^2} ##, ## \psi _1(x) = (\frac {1}{2\sqrt \pi a})^ \frac{1}{2}\frac{2x}{a} e^\frac{-x^2}{2a^2} ## Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Would it then be...

Hey, I have a question concerning eigenfrequencies: Let us assume we examine a beam that is fixed at one end and free at the other end. It is possible to get an analytical solution in form of a unlimtied series: sum_i=1..infinity eigenfunction(i)*exp(i*eigenfrequencie(i)*t). (something...

Homework Statement [/B] By considering the eigenfunctions for 2 noninteracting particles at distances r1 and r2, show that their total eigenfunction must be antisymmetric. . Homework Equations Spatial wavefunctions: Ψ(x1,x2) = 1/√2 [ ψA(x1)ψB(x2) ± ψA(x2)ψB(x1)] Where + gives a symmetric...

Homework Statement Use the eigenfunction Ψ(x) =A'eikx + B'e-ikx rather than Ψ(x)=Asinkx + Bcoskx to apply the boundary conditions for the particle in a box. A. How do the boundary conditions restrict the acceptable choices for A’ and B’ and for k? B. Do these two functions give different...

Homework Statement The energy operator for a time-dependent system is iħ d/dt. A possible eigenfunction for the system is Ψ(x,y,z,t)=ψ(x,y,z)e-2πiEt/h Show that the probability density is independent of time Homework Equations ĤΨn(x) = EnΨn The Attempt at a Solution [/B] I understand the...

Dear all, The Hamiltonian for a spin-orbit coupling is given by: \mathcal{H}_1 = -\frac{\hbar^2\nabla^2}{2m}+\frac{\alpha}{2i}(\boldsymbol \sigma \cdot \nabla + \nabla \cdot \boldsymbol \sigma) Where \boldsymbol \sigma = (\sigma_x, \sigma_y, \sigma_z) are the Pauli-matrices. I have to...

hi, am major new on quantum mechanics. please help me understand. is the real wave function Ψ2Px= [Ψ2p+1 +Ψ2p-1]1/2 an eigen function of L2 or Lz? if so, how is it? and if so kindly explain the values of l and m thanks

How do we show that ##\psi_n(x)## has ##(n-1)## zeros for all ##n\in Z^+##? Assuming ##\psi_k(x)## has ##(k-1)## zeros for some ##k\in Z^+##, by oscillation theorem, we can only get ##\psi_{k+1}(x)## has ##\geq k## zeros. Also, how do we show that ##\psi_1(x)##, the eigenfunction corresponding...

Homework Statement Homework Equations Wronskian theorem: The Attempt at a Solution I've gotten the relationship given by the question but I do not know how to continue. Since ##\psi_n(a)=\psi_n(b)=0##, LHS ##=\psi_n'(b)\,\psi_{n+1}(b)-\psi_n'(a)\,\psi_{n+1}(a)## If LHS ##=0##, RHS...

Hello, I am taking an introductory course in quantum mechanics. One thing I am confused about is, Schrodinger's equation seems to be regarded as the "ultimate" formula which determines a particle's possible wavefunctions and energies, given a certain potential (Hamiltonian of psi = Energy...

Homework Statement Hello, I just started to study QM, I just have a general question, how to know if a trial function is not an eigenfunction of a hamiltonian (that has the lowest value in a graph) ? - Thanks and sorry for the stupid question. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I have...

Homework Statement ## \psi_1 ## and ## \psi_2 ## are momentum eigenfunctions corresponding to different momentum eigenvalues ## p_1 \not= p_2 ##. Is ## \psi_1 ## + ## \psi_2 ## also momentum eigenfunction ? Homework Equations Is the right answer[/B] Yes No It Depends ?The Attempt at a...

Homework Statement Show that the radial eigenfunction unr,l is a solution of the differential equation: ħ2/2me×d2unr,l/dr2+[l(l+1)ħ2/2mer2 - e2/4πε0r]unr,l=Enr,lunr,lHomework Equations The radial function is R(r)=u(r)/r, so that the expression on the RHS is E×u. The Attempt at a Solution I know...

This might be trivial for some people but this has been bothering lately. If P is momentum operator and p its eigenvalue then the eigenfunction is up(x) = exp(ipx/h). where h is the reduced Planck constant (sorry can't find a way to make the proper notation). While it can also be proved that...

Homework Statement Since Hamiltonian operator is: Ĥ = - (ħ2/(2m))(delta)2 - A/r where r = (x2+y2+z2) (delta)2 = ∂2/∂x2 + ∂2/∂y2 + ∂2/∂z2 A = a constant from Ĥg(r) = Eg(r) form, where: g(r) = D e-r/b(1-r/b) with b, D as constants, is an EIGENFUNCTION of Ĥ, find the correct b and give the...

Could someone please explain Hψ = Eψ? I understand that H = Hamiltonian operator and ψ is a wavefunction, but how is H different from E? I am confused. I am trying to understand "Hψ = Eψ" approach

I am absolutely dying with this question. Ok so referring to the attached image; we can re-iterate the given equation in SL-Form. so $(1-x^2)u'' - xu' + 2u =0 $ divide everything by $\sqrt{1-x^2}$ so we get $\sqrt{1-x^2}u'' - \frac{x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}} u' + \frac{2}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}u=0$ which...

I have to find the eigenfunction of the ground state \Psi_0 of a three independent s=1/2 particle system. The eigenfunctions \phi_{n,s}(x) = \varphi_n(x) \ \chi_s and eigenvalues E_n of the single particle Hamiltonian are known. Becuse of the Pauli exclusion principle, there must be...

I am just getting into quantum after a long absence of working on modern physics. I am having a go at "Introduction to Modern Physics" by Griffiths What is the simplest equation that satisfies Schrödinger's Wave Equation. It looks like $$Ae^{x}$$ would do the trick, but it would not solve...

This is the sort of thing that should be easy but my brain has blanked due to be overloaded in other areas of Physics. I've tried a great deal of different approaches but I'll walk though the one that led closest. I assumed that \hat{A} and \check{B} where both hermitian so there...

Homework Statement Consider the dimensionless harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian H=½ P2+½ X2, P=-i d/dx. Show that the two wave functions ψ0(x)=e-x2/2 and ψ1(x)=xe-x2/2 are eigenfunction of H with eigenvalues ½ and 3/2, respectively. Find the value of the coefficient a such that...

Homework Statement A particle of mass m moves in a 1-D Harmonic oscillator potential with frequency \omega. The second excited state is \psi_{2}(x) = C(2 \alpha^{2} x^{2} + \lambda) e^{-\frac{1}{2} a^{2} x^{2}} with energy eigenvalue E_{2} = \frac{5}{2} \hbar \omega. C and \lambda are...

the questions is: is the ground state of an infinite square well an eigenfunction of momentum, if so what is the momentum? solution: i was working it out and i got something different from the solutions, and i don't understand where they're getting the cotangent term from.. and...

Is there an experiment that can measure the energy of a single particle so immediately after it has collapsed to one of the energy eigenfunctions? The problem is that all experiments i can think of are about measuring the position of a the particle so we collapse it to its delta function...

Homework Statement I need to find the probability density function given the eigenfunction Homework Equations \psi=C\exp^({\frac{ipx}{\hbar}-\frac{x^2}{2a^2}}) The Attempt at a Solution I tried to square the function but that gave me a nasty integral that I could not solve. I...

Taken from Physics of Quantum Mechanics, by James Binney. I try to calculate ##u_{n}^{l=n-2}##, something goes wrong: Starting, we define operator A by: A_{n-2} = \frac{a_0}{\sqrt 2}\left(\frac{i}{\hbar}p_r + \frac{1-n}{r} + \frac{Z}{(n-1)a_0}\right) Substituting ##p_r = -i\hbar...

1. Consider a particle of mass m in a cubic (3-dimensional) box with V(x,y,z) = 0 for 0 < x < L, 0 < y < L, and 0 < z < L and V(x,y,z) = ∞elsewhere. Is 1/\sqrt{2} * (ψ(1,1,5)+ψ(3,3,3)) an eigenfunction of the Hamiltonian for this system? If so, what is the eigenvalue? Explain your reasoning 2...

Homework Statement Hey guys, I'll type this thing up in Word. http://imageshack.com/a/img716/8219/wycz.jpg

[FONT=CMR10][FONT=CMR10]show that $$e^{-0.5x^2}$$ is an eigenfunction of the operator $$\frac{d^2}{dx}-x^2$$ and finds it's eigenvalue. I get $$e^{-0.5x^2}(x^2-1)-x^2$$ so it doesn't seem like its an eigenfunction. [FONT=CMR10][FONT=CMR10]

Prove that if a continuous function e\left( x \right) on \mathbb{R} is eigenfunction of all shift operators, i.e. e\left( x+t \right) = \lambda_t e\left( x \right) for all x and t and some constants \lambda_t , then it is an exponential function, i.e. e\left( x \right)= Ce^{ax} for some...

hi, i read in quantum mechanics wave function is a combination of eigenfunctions and according to Orthodox interpretation measurement causes the wave function to collapse into one of the eigenfunction of the quantity being measured. Is this explanation still valid?

Homework Statement A particle of total energy E is incident on a potential barrier V0 (E<V0) between x=0 and x=a. Write down the allowed eigenfunctions in the regions x<0, 0<x<a and x>a in terms of five unknown constants A, B, C, D and F where A and F are the amplitudes of the incident and...

I am kind of new to this eigenvalue, eigenfunction and operator things, but i have come across this quote many times: First i need some explanation on how do we know this? All i know about operator ##\hat{H}## so far is this equation where ##\langle W \rangle## is an energy expected value...

In the picture attached I understand everything up to 1.12. I wrote "think of it like a matrix" at the time and that made sense but now I don't really get it. There's obviously an analogy between decomposing a matrix into its eigenvector basis and a function into its eigenfunction basis but I'm...

Homework Statement We are considering the Superposition state: ψ(x,t) = 1/2 u1(x)e(-i/hbar)E1t + √3/2 u4(x) e(-i/hbar)E4t We had to verify that ψ is a solution of the time dependent Schrodinger Equation, which I have done. Next we are asked to show that ψ is NOT an energy eigenfunction...