Computing operator in bra-ket within momentum space

Void123
Messages
138
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



<e^{ip'x}|x^{2}|e^{ipx}>


Homework Equations








The Attempt at a Solution



Its pretty obvious that its difficult to integrate in position-space, so I rewrite x in momentum space (i.e. the second-order differential operator with respect to p).

If that is the case, is this correct (which is the part I'm not sure about):

C \int^{-\infty}_{-\infty} e^{ip'x}\frac{∂^{2}}{∂p^{2}}e^{ipx} dp

(hbar is absorbed into the constant on the side)

Or do I have to Fourier transform e^{ip'x} and e^{ipx}?

Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
e^{ipx} is the wavefunction given in position space, so if you want to integrate in momentum space, you need to express the wavefunctions in momentum space as well, which should be \delta(p_1-p)
 
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