Eigen functions/values for many-body Hamiltonian with creation/annihilation operators

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding eigenfunctions and eigenvalues for a many-body Hamiltonian that incorporates creation and annihilation operators, specifically in the context of a finite potential well with indistinguishable fermions. Participants explore both analytical and numerical approaches to solving the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster outlines their approach, which includes setting up a finite potential well with two indistinguishable fermions and second-quantizing the Hamiltonian components.
  • One participant suggests that providing the mathematical details from the initial steps would facilitate better responses.
  • Another participant proposes a general procedure that involves finding the normal modes of the system and transforming the creation/annihilation operators to a diagonal basis for the Hamiltonian.
  • This participant also mentions that if the first step is not feasible, perturbation theory may be necessary.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no explicit consensus among participants, as the discussion includes various approaches and suggestions without a definitive resolution on the best method to proceed.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks specific mathematical details from the original poster, which may limit the clarity of the proposed solutions. Additionally, the applicability of perturbation theory remains conditional on the feasibility of the initial steps outlined.

Who May Find This Useful

Researchers and students interested in many-body quantum mechanics, particularly those working with Hamiltonians involving creation and annihilation operators.

ranytawfik
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Problem:
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I’m trying to understand how to generally find Eigen functions/values (either analytically or numerically) for Hamiltonian with creation/annihilation operators in many-body problems.

Procedures:
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1. I setup a simple case of finite-potential well with two in-distinguishable fermions (ignore spin for the moment).
2. I got the creation/annihilation field operators.
3. I second-quantized all the elements of the Hamiltonian (kinetic energy, well/external potential, and electron-electron electrostatic interaction).

My question is how to proceed next? I have the Hamiltonian which is now function of the creation/annihilation operators. How can I solve for the many-body Eigen function/values after that?

Thanks so much.
 
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In general, the procedure is as follows:

1) Try to find the normal modes of your system, that is, transform your creation/annihilation operators to a basis in which the Hamiltonian is diagonal: H = ∑ ak*ak.

2) Find the states for each normal mode as a quantized harmonic oscillator. The ground state is |0k> such that ak|0k> = 0. The excited states are |nk> = (ak*)n|nk>.

If you can't do step (1), you'll have to use perturbation theory.
 


Thanks strangerep and Bill. I'll try to do what you suggested, Bill, and post a follow up with the detailed Latex equations and procedures.
 

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