Eigenvalue and eigenvectors, bra-ket

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a given complex matrix, as well as exploring properties of these eigenvectors in the context of quantum mechanics, particularly in relation to bra-ket notation and projection operators.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the normalization of eigenvectors and the correctness of eigenvalues. There are attempts to clarify the conditions for orthonormality and completeness of the eigenvectors. Questions arise regarding the application of inner products in the context of the problem.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on normalization and the use of inner products, while others are still grappling with the implications of their calculations. There is recognition of errors in the normalization process and the need to use the correct inner product for the Hilbert space.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the amount of direct assistance they can receive. There is an ongoing discussion about the definitions and properties of eigenvalues and eigenvectors in the context of complex matrices.

Samuel Williams
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Question

Consider the matrix $$
\left[
\matrix
{
0&0&-1+i \\
0&3&0 \\
-1-i&0&0
}
\right]
$$

(a) Find the eigenvalues and normalized eigenvectors of A. Denote the eigenvectors of A by |a1>, |a2>, |a3>. Any degenerate eigenvalues?

(b) Show that the eigenvectors |a1>, |a2>, |a3> form an orthonormal and complete basis ;
|a1><a1|+|a2><a2|+|a3><a3|= I, where I is the 3x3 unit matrix,
and that <aj|ak> is the Kronecker delta function

(c) Find the matrix corresponding to the operator obtained from the ket-bra product of the
first eigenvector P=|a1><a1|. Is P a projection operator?

My attempt

I have done part (a). I got the eigenvalues as 3,√2,√2 with corresponding eigenvectors

(0 1 0) , ( (1-i)/√2 0 1 ) , ( -(1-i)/√2 0 1 )

Even after normalizing the vectors, I still can't work out part (b). I just don't get the 3x3 unit matrix.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
 
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The latter two eigenvectors aren't normalized!

Also, the eigenvalue corresponding to ##\left(\begin{smallmatrix}\frac{1-i}{\sqrt{2}} & 0 & 1\end{smallmatrix}\right)##should have the opposite sign.
 
The eigenvalue should have a -, must have missed it.
I already normalized the vectors, giving

1/√(1-i)*((1−i√2) 0 1))

And it still doesn't seem to work out for me
 
Samuel Williams said:
I already normalized the vectors, giving

1/√(1-i)*((1−i√2) 0 1))
I skimmed over that, my bad. Even so, it still isn't normalized--the magnitude is ##2##, not ##1-i##.
Use the equation ##\|x\|=\sqrt{\langle x\;|\ x\rangle}## to recover the norm on a Hilbert space. It should always be real-valued and nonnegative.
 
I managed to figure out where I have been going wrong thanks to you. I have been using Euclidean inner products instead of Hermitian inner products. Thanks for the help
 
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