External field applied to Harmonic Oscillator

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the effect of an external electric field on a harmonic oscillator, specifically a particle of charge ##q## in a potential defined by ##\frac{1}{2}m\omega^2x^2##. The new Hamiltonian is derived as ##H = \frac{p^2}{2m} + \frac{1}{2} m\omega^2 \left(x - \frac{qE}{m\omega^2} \right)^2 - \frac{q^2E^2}{2m\omega^2}##, leading to a shift in energy of ##\frac{q^2E^2}{2m\omega^2}##. The new energies are expressed as ##E_n = (n+1)\hbar \omega - \frac{q^2E^2}{2m\omega^2}##, and the new ground state wavefunction is given by ##\phi_0' = \left( \frac{m\omega}{\hbar \pi} \right)^{\frac{1}{4}} e^{-\alpha (x-\frac{qE}{m\omega^2})^2}##. The discussion also touches on the method for calculating the probability of the particle being in the ground state of the new potential.

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Homework Statement



For a particle of charge ##q## in a potential ##\frac{1}{2}m\omega^2x^2##, the wavefunction of ground state is given as ##\phi_0 = \left( \frac{m\omega }{\pi \hbar} \right)^{\frac{1}{4}} exp \left( -\frac{m\omega}{2\hbar} x^2 \right)##.

Now an external electric field ##E## is applied.

Part (a): Find the new energies and wavefunction of the ground state.

Part (b): Find the probability that the particle will be in the ground state of the new potential.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



The Hamiltonian now becomes:

[tex]H = \frac{p^2}{2m} + \frac{1}{2} m\omega^2 \left(x - \frac{qE}{m\omega^2} \right)^2 - \frac{q^2E^2}{2m\omega^2}[/tex]

Thus the shift in energy is ## \frac{q^2E^2}{2m\omega^2} ##. New energies are given by: ##E_n = (n+1)\hbar \omega - \frac{q^2E^2}{2m\omega^2} ##.

This represents a displaced harmonic oscillator, with eigenfunction:

[tex]\phi_0 \space ' = \left( \frac{m\omega}{\hbar \pi} \right)^{\frac{1}{4}} e^{-\alpha (x-\frac{qE}{m\omega^2})^2 }[/tex]

Part(b)

Do I overlap this state with the old one and integrate?
 
Last edited:
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Edit: yes
Edit take two: may I suggest to edit for typos not to change completely the questions?
 
Last edited:

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