Angular momentum operator eigenvalues in HO potential.

Zaknife
Messages
10
Reaction score
0

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, write the wave functions using spherical coordinates and normalize independently
their radial and angular parts.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I know that solution of eigen-problem for $L_{z}$ operator is:
psi(\theta, \phi)= P(\theta) e^{im\phi}
But i don't know how to include harmonic oscillator potential into this problem. I already proved that eigenstates of Lz are also eigenstates of L^2. Thanks for any advice !
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Zaknife said:
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, write the wave functions using spherical coordinates and normalize independently their radial and angular parts.

This suggests that the question is about about a 3d isotropic harmonic oscillator. The solutions might looks similar to the hydrogenic atom, but be careful. Were you set this as homework? Its pretty difficult to do something like this from first principles...
 
Yes it's my homework actually. So the suggestion is to solve the radial equation, for the HO potential \frac{1}{2}\omega mr^{2}. For l=-1,0,1 and then "combine" it with the angular part of wavefunction for different m values ?
 
You need to solve the Schrodinger equation using the harmonic oscillator potential. Use separation of variables.
 
Thread 'Need help understanding this figure on energy levels'
This figure is from "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by Griffiths (3rd edition). It is available to download. It is from page 142. I am hoping the usual people on this site will give me a hand understanding what is going on in the figure. After the equation (4.50) it says "It is customary to introduce the principal quantum number, ##n##, which simply orders the allowed energies, starting with 1 for the ground state. (see the figure)" I still don't understand the figure :( Here is...
Thread 'Understanding how to "tack on" the time wiggle factor'
The last problem I posted on QM made it into advanced homework help, that is why I am putting it here. I am sorry for any hassle imposed on the moderators by myself. Part (a) is quite easy. We get $$\sigma_1 = 2\lambda, \mathbf{v}_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_2 = \lambda, \mathbf{v}_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_3 = -\lambda, \mathbf{v}_3 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ -1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} $$ There are two ways...
Back
Top