A Expectation value in Heisenberg picture: creation and annihilation

Click For Summary
The discussion centers on deriving the time evolution of the expected value of the operator c_{k-Q}^{\dagger}c_{k} in the Heisenberg picture using a given Hamiltonian that includes a screening effect. The initial approach involves applying the Heisenberg equation of motion, but the expected result requires incorporating the potential V(q,t) and understanding the commutation relations of the annihilation and creation operators. The need to "open" the Hamiltonian to achieve the correct form of the expected value is emphasized, highlighting the importance of the vacuum state and its properties. Clarification is sought on the (anti)commutation relations and the definition of the vacuum state in this context. Understanding these concepts is crucial for progressing with the calculations.
Bruno Cardin
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
TL;DR
Hi. I posted this in homework, but it isn't really homework. I'm just someone who has spent 2 years in classical general relativity and find myself lost trying to re-do my final exam.
So, I have a hamiltonian for screening effect, written like:

$$ H=\sum_{k}^{}\epsilon_{k}c_{k}^{\dagger}c_{k}+ \frac{1}{\Omega}\sum_{k,q}^{}V(q,t)c_{k+q}^{\dagger}c_{k} $$

And I have to find an equation for the time evolution of the expected value of the operator ##c_{k-Q}^{\dagger}c_{k}##.

I wrote this, initially

$$ i\hbar\frac{d}{dt}c_{k-Q}^{\dagger}(t)c_{k}(t)= [c_{k-Q}^{\dagger}c_{k} , H] $$

as the time evolution equation for the operator in the Heisenberg picture. What I procceed to do is to plug a bra in the left <phi| and a ket in the right |phi> , with phi being an energy eigenstate, and then start raising and lowering energy levels since the operators ##c_{k}## are the anihilation operators (and with the dagger they switch to creation operators). But the result I have to get to, according to the exam's solution is:

$$ i\hbar\frac{d}{dt} < c_{k-Q}^{\dagger}(t)c_{k}(t) > = (\epsilon_{k}-\epsilon_{Q-k})< c_{k-Q}^{\dagger}c_{k}>+\frac{1}{\Omega}\sum_{k}^{}V(q,t)[<c_{k-Q}^{\dagger}c_{k-q} >- <c_{k+q-Q}^{\dagger}c_{k}>]$$

which has the expression of V in it.. this means I have to "open" the hamiltonian. I'm so rusty that that didn't even cross my mind. I don't get it. Could anyone help? Thank you in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
This needs a bit more information. What (anti)commutation relations are satisfied by the ##c_k##'s ? Is your vacuum annihilated by ##c_k##? If not, then how is your vacuum defined?
 
We often see discussions about what QM and QFT mean, but hardly anything on just how fundamental they are to much of physics. To rectify that, see the following; https://www.cambridge.org/engage/api-gateway/coe/assets/orp/resource/item/66a6a6005101a2ffa86cdd48/original/a-derivation-of-maxwell-s-equations-from-first-principles.pdf 'Somewhat magically, if one then applies local gauge invariance to the Dirac Lagrangian, a field appears, and from this field it is possible to derive Maxwell’s...