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

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter ranytawfik
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Hamiltonian Operators
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
3 replies · 3K views
ranytawfik
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Problem:
-----------


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:
--------------


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.
 
Physics news on Phys.org


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.