Bound state negative potentials into harmonic oscillator basis

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on finding negative energy solutions for the potential V(x) = -1/sqrt(1+x^2) using matrix mechanics within the harmonic oscillator (HO) framework. The user has numerically identified 12 negative energy solutions and seeks guidance on transforming the Hamiltonian into a matrix form suitable for eigenvalue analysis. Key challenges include utilizing the harmonic oscillator operators X_ho and P_ho effectively and performing Bra-Ket operations to represent the Hamiltonian in the HO basis. The discussion highlights the need for a clear method to express the Hamiltonian in matrix form without encountering division by zero issues.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics, specifically Hamiltonian mechanics.
  • Familiarity with harmonic oscillator operators, including X_ho and P_ho.
  • Knowledge of matrix mechanics and eigenvalue problems.
  • Experience with Bra-Ket notation and operator transformations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research how to express Hamiltonians in matrix form for non-standard potentials.
  • Learn about the transformation of operators in the harmonic oscillator basis.
  • Study the application of Bra-Ket notation in quantum mechanics for operator manipulation.
  • Explore numerical methods for solving eigenvalue problems in quantum systems.
USEFUL FOR

Quantum physicists, graduate students in physics, and researchers working on quantum mechanics and matrix mechanics, particularly those interested in solving Hamiltonians with non-standard potentials.

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Hello readers,

Given the potential

V(x) = - 1/ sqrt(1+x^2)

I have found numerically 12 negative energy solutions

Now I want to try to solve for these using matrix mechanics

I know the matrix form of the harmonic oscillator operators X_ho, P_ho.

I believe I need to perform the task

<X | H | X> ??

to get a matrix form of H, then solve for its eigenvalues. But don't know how to use my H to get X and P operators or how to get my H into a matrix form with which to do the matrix algebra needed.


Looking around and in my books, I'm fining Matrix information and Equational information but not so much on transporting between the two(except for the HO of course which is every where and partially why i want to use it)

How does one perform perform these Bra Ket actions?
does one transform a hamiltonian into its own operator form first or can i use the operators from a Harmonic Oscillator?
Is there a way to represent this hamiltonian in the HO basis which has readily available matrix forms?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You can express p and x in terms of a and ##a^+##, the anihilation and generation operators in the HO basis.
 
I have done so for the harmonic oscillator, which is one way that i got my X and P for the HO. And have tried to use the X and P forms from the HO in my Hamiltonian in question, but because its 1/Sqrt(1+x^2) i always end up dividing by a zero for the none tri-diagonal terms.(using 1 = identity matrix)
 

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