Another 2 questions in perturbation theory.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around perturbation theory applied to two quantum mechanics problems: one involving a particle in a square well and another concerning a two-dimensional harmonic oscillator with a specific perturbation. Participants are exploring the corrections to energy and eigenstates due to perturbations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to compute matrix elements for perturbation corrections and questioning assumptions about their values. There is discussion about the degeneracy of states in the second problem and how to approach finding corrections for the first excited state.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to compute matrix elements, emphasizing the need to consider the specific forms of the wave functions involved. There is ongoing inquiry into the eigenfunctions relevant to the first problem, with participants expressing uncertainty about their implications for the perturbation calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share or receive. There is mention of a lack of response from a teaching assistant, indicating a reliance on peer support for clarification.

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Homework Statement


1. A particle of mass M is in a square well, subject to the potential:
V(x)= V0\theta(x-a/2) for x in (0,a) and diverges elsewhere, where theta is heaviside step function.
In perturbation theory, find O(V0^2) correction to the energy and O(V0)to the eigenstate.

2. A particle is moving in a two dimensional harmonic oscillator with perturbation \delta V=\lambda x^2 y^2 For the ground state and the first excited state, find the first order correction to.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


1. As I see it the hamiltonian has a perturbation in x in [a/2,a), which is V0.
, but from the equation for the second order correction to the energy which is:
\sum_{m doesn&#039;t equal n} \frac{|&lt;m|V0|n&gt;|^2}{E_n-E_m}, where E_k=\frac{(\hbar k)^2}{2M}+V_0, so that means the second order correction is zero cause <m|n> for m not equal n equlas zero, doesn't make sense to me, what am I missing?

For 2, for the first excited state I get that it's degenrate, cause E_{1,0}=E_{0,1}, not sure how to find for the first excited state its first order correction.

P.S
I sent an email to the TA with my questions, so far he hasn't replied, this is why I am asking here.
 
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For #1, you can't just assume that \left\vert \langle m \vert V_0 \vert n\rangle\right\vert = 0 whenever m \neq n. Remember how you compute a matrix element:
\langle m \vert V_0 \vert n\rangle = \int\psi^{*}_m(x) V_0(x) \psi_n(x)\,\mathrm{d}x
 
Ok thanks.
Can someone help me with question 2?
 
bump, question 2?
 
diazona said:
For #1, you can't just assume that \left\vert \langle m \vert V_0 \vert n\rangle\right\vert = 0 whenever m \neq n. Remember how you compute a matrix element:
\langle m \vert V_0 \vert n\rangle = \int\psi^{*}_m(x) V_0(x) \psi_n(x)\,\mathrm{d}x

I still get that it's zero.
What are eigenfunctions of this problem?

I think that they are:
\psi_n(x)=\sqrt(\frac{2}{a})sin(nx\pi/a) but if it's so then <n|V|m>=0.
 

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