Constructing spatial wave function of hydrogen

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The discussion centers on constructing the spatial wave function for hydrogen in the state n=3, l=2, m=1, specifically focusing on the radial wave function and spherical harmonics. The original poster struggles with generating spherical harmonics using L_{\pm} operators, as the textbook only provides eigenfunction information without derivation methods. They express confusion over an exponential term arising in their calculations for f(θ) and seek clarification on their approach. A participant suggests that the exponential term in φ should not remain and provides guidance on how to simplify the equation to solve for f(θ). The conversation highlights the challenges of applying quantum mechanics concepts and the intricacies of spherical harmonics generation.
CrusaderSean
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I'm having problem with griffith QM problem 4.43:
Construct the spatial wave function for hydrogen in the state n = 3, l =2, m = 1. Express your answer as a function of r, \theta, \phi, and a (the Bohr radius) only.

My prof. gave hints about radial wave function, but I have no idea how to construct spherical harmonics from scratch. The book only shows spherical harmonic are eigenfunctions of L^2 and L_z, not how you can generate them with L_{\pm} operators. So is there a way to generate spherical harmonics with operators similar to harmonic oscillator operator method? I guess more specifically, is there a way to get spherical harmonics for Y_{l=2}^{m=0}? I know I can apply L_{+} to get Y_{l=2}^{m=1}.

edit: nevermind, looks like Griffith made generating spherical harmonics into problem 4.22 as oppose to showing how to do it. that was very tricky of my professor to sneak another problem into homework.

edit2: I'm having problems with 4.22...
denoting spherical harmonics as Y_{l}^{m}(\theta,\phi)=f(\theta)g(\phi), solve for g(\phi) first.
L_{z}Y_{l}^{l}=\hbar l Y_{l}^{l}
g(\phi)=e^{i l \phi} as expected.

now for f(\theta)
L_{+}Y_{l}^{l}=0
where L_{+}=\hbar e^{i \phi}(\partial_{\theta}+i \cot \theta \partial_{\phi})
solving this I get
\ln f(\theta) = \frac{l}{\hbar}e^{i \phi} \ln \sin \theta
which doesn't look right... it's an exponential of an exponetial... any clues as to what I did wrong?
 
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CrusaderSean said:
I'm having problem with griffith QM problem 4.43:
Construct the spatial wave function for hydrogen in the state n = 3, l =2, m = 1. Express your answer as a function of r, \theta, \phi, and a (the Bohr radius) only.

My prof. gave hints about radial wave function, but I have no idea how to construct spherical harmonics from scratch. The book only shows spherical harmonic are eigenfunctions of L^2 and L_z, not how you can generate them with L_{\pm} operators. So is there a way to generate spherical harmonics with operators similar to harmonic oscillator operator method? I guess more specifically, is there a way to get spherical harmonics for Y_{l=2}^{m=0}? I know I can apply L_{+} to get Y_{l=2}^{m=1}.
I don't know why you could not simply use Table 4.3 or Equation 4.32 (I am assuming you have the second edition)

edit: nevermind, looks like Griffith made generating spherical harmonics into problem 4.22 as oppose to showing how to do it. that was very tricky of my professor to sneak another problem into homework.

edit2: I'm having problems with 4.22...
denoting spherical harmonics as Y_{l}^{m}(\theta,\phi)=f(\theta)g(\phi), solve for g(\phi) first.
L_{z}Y_{l}^{l}=\hbar l Y_{l}^{l}
g(\phi)=e^{i l \phi} as expected.

now for f(\theta)
L_{+}Y_{l}^{l}=0
where L_{+}=\hbar e^{i \phi}(\partial_{\theta}+i \cot \theta \partial_{\phi})
solving this I get
\ln f(\theta) = \frac{l}{\hbar}e^{i \phi} \ln \sin \theta
which doesn't look right... it's an exponential of an exponetial... any clues as to what I did wrong?

You should not have any exponential of \phi left! You get an equation of the form L_+ Y_l^l = e^{i(l+1)\phi} (\partial_\theta - l cot \theta) f(\theta) = 0. So you divide by the exponential in phi which goes away and then solve for f(theta).

Pat
 

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