Finding H2 Given |\uparrow> and H1

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between two Hamiltonians, H1 and H2, in the context of quantum mechanics, particularly focusing on how to derive H2 given a state that is an eigenstate of a combined Hamiltonian H. The participants explore the mathematical structure of Hamiltonians acting on tensor product spaces, including the implications of eigenstates and effective Hamiltonians.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that the combined state |\uparrow> \otimes \psi is an eigenstate of H1 \otimes H2, questioning whether this is true or if it involves the sum of Hamiltonians.
  • Another participant claims that H2 can be expressed as H - H1, interpreting the relationship between the Hamiltonians.
  • A later reply clarifies that while H2 can be derived as H - H1, the focus should be on finding an effective Hamiltonian rather than H2 itself.
  • Participants discuss the mathematical lifting of operators in tensor product spaces, noting how H1 and H2 act on these spaces.
  • One participant expresses confusion about terms like "identity map" and "lifting," seeking clarification on their meanings.
  • Another participant corrects a previous statement regarding the notation used in the matrix elements of the Hamiltonian, indicating a potential typo in earlier posts.
  • A participant raises a question about the relationship between spin states and momentum eigenstates, inquiring whether they exist in separate Hilbert spaces or if the momentum operator acts on the spinor as well.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interpretation of Hamiltonians and the nature of effective Hamiltonians. There is no consensus on the best approach to derive H2 or the implications of the mathematical structures discussed.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note limitations in their understanding of specific terms and concepts, indicating that further clarification is needed on the mathematical formalism involved in the discussion.

johnsmi
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Hi,

I'm trying to understand something:
Supposing I have two states:
|\uparrow> which is an eigen state of H1
and \psi which is the space rep. of an eigen state of H2

Now, as far as I understand |\uparrow> \otimes \psi will be an eigen state of H1 \otimes H2 (is that true or is it the sum of Hamiltonians?)

But supposing I knew that |\uparrow> \otimes \psi was an eigen state of a known H and I knew |\uparrow> and H1 how could I find H2?

Thank you
 
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It is the sum of the Hamiltonians and the product of the wavefunctions so H2 = H - H1 :smile:
 
0xDEADBEEF said:
It is the sum of the Hamiltonians and the product of the wavefunctions so H2 = H - H1 :smile:

Thank you for you reply but it doesn't quite fit with something:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=416185" is a post I posted with all the details of the question and as you can see it doesn't seem to apply (does it?)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Actually, H2 is exactly H - H1 provided it is
suitably interpreted. However what you want from your other post
is not H2 at all. You want an effective Hamiltonian.

I'll try to explain.
Given vector spaces X and Y we can form a NEW vector space
X\otimesY. For any pair of operators (A,B) with
A:X\rightarrowX, B:Y\rightarrowY there
exists a unique map A\otimesB.

Why is this important?
When you're looking at your hamiltonian as acting on the product
what you start with are the maps A and B above but you need to
be carefull about how they lift. Specifically H1 lifts
to H1\otimesid2. Where id2
is the identity map on the second factor.

Similarly H2 lifts to id1\otimesH2.

So that your hamiltonian is actually
H = H1\otimesid2 + id1\otimesH2.

Now how can we use this to "factor out" a piece, or find an effective hamiltonian
Suppose we know the eigenbasis of H2. And further suppose we've
orthonormalized it, then we can look at the matrix elements of H, which stay
in a fixed H2 subspace.
Let |m>, |n> denote vectors in the first space, and |\mu>, |\nu>
denote orthonormal eigenvectors of H2.

Then
&lt;m \otimes \mu| H |n \otimes \nu&gt;<br /> = &lt;m \otimes \mu| (H_1 \otimes \text{id}_2) |n \otimes \nu&gt;<br /> + &lt;m \otimes \mu| (\text{id}_2 \otimes H_2) |n \otimes \nu&gt; <br />
<br /> = &lt;m|H_1|n&gt;&lt;\mu|\nu&gt; + &lt;m|n&gt;\lambda_\nu&lt;\mu|\nu&gt;<br />

where \lambda_\nu is the appropriate eigenvalue. Now
if we are only interested in a given state \nu we
can put
<br /> &lt;m \otimes \nu| H |n \otimes \nu&gt;<br /> = &lt;m|H_1|n&gt; + &lt;m|n&gt;\lambda_\nu<br /> = &lt;m| H_1 + \lambda_\nu \text{id}_1 |n&gt;<br />

This looks then like a hamiltonian only on the 1st factor.
 
Wow,
thank you for your detailed post now all I need to do is understand it. I think it will take me some time to properly understand it.

Thank you very much!
 
qbert said:
Actually, H2 is exactly H - H1 provided it is
suitably interpreted. However what you want from your other post
is not H2 at all. You want an effective Hamiltonian.

I'll try to explain.
Given vector spaces X and Y we can form a NEW vector space
X\otimesY. For any pair of operators (A,B) with
A:X\rightarrowX, B:Y\rightarrowY there
exists a unique map A\otimesB.

Why is this important?
When you're looking at your hamiltonian as acting on the product
what you start with are the maps A and B above but you need to
be carefull about how they lift. Specifically H1 lifts
to H1\otimesid2. Where id2
is the identity map on the second factor.

Similarly H2 lifts to id1\otimesH2.

So that your hamiltonian is actually
H = H1\otimesid2 + id1\otimesH2.

Now how can we use this to "factor out" a piece, or find an effective hamiltonian
Suppose we know the eigenbasis of H2. And further suppose we've
orthonormalized it, then we can look at the matrix elements of H, which stay
in a fixed H2 subspace.
Let |m&gt;, |n&gt; denote vectors in the first space, and |\mu&gt;, |\nu&gt;
denote orthonormal eigenvectors of H2.

Then
&lt;m \otimes \mu| H |n \otimes \nu&gt;<br /> = &lt;m \otimes \mu| (H_1 \otimes \text{id}_2) |n \otimes \nu&gt;<br /> + &lt;m \otimes \mu| (\text{id}_2 \otimes H_2) |n \otimes \nu&gt; <br />
<br /> = &lt;m|H_1|n&gt;&lt;\mu|\nu&gt; + &lt;m|n&gt;\lambda_\nu&lt;\mu|\nu&gt;<br />

where \lambda_\nu is the appropriate eigenvalue. Now
if we are only interested in a given state \nu we
can put
<br /> &lt;m \otimes \nu| H |n \otimes \nu&gt;<br /> = &lt;m|H_1|n&gt; + &lt;m|n&gt;\lambda_\nu<br /> = &lt;m| H_1 + \lambda_\nu \text{id}_1 |n&gt;<br />

This looks then like a hamiltonian only on the 1st factor.

Your unswer seems to be very usefull since I did find in a related article something like this:
<br /> &lt;\uparrow (\phi)| \otimes &lt;\phi| \frac{\Pi^2}{2M} |\phi &#039;&gt; \otimes |\uparrow (\phi &#039;)&gt;<br /> = &lt;\phi| \frac{Q^2} {2M} |\phi &#039;&gt; \\ where\ Q=\Pi -const.<br />

I think I am beginning to understand what you mean evan though there are a few terms you used which are unfamiliar to me.
1) An identity map: I think is an operater that sends a vector to the unit vector in that space?
2) I don't quite understand what you mean by 'lifting'
3) I gues that \lambda_\nu is the eigenvalue we get by applying H_2|\nu&gt; (i.e. H_2|\nu&gt;=\lambda_\nu|\nu&gt;)


And finally, at the end you said that:
|\mu&gt;, |\nu&gt; denote orthonormal eigenvectors of H2.
dosn't that necessarilly mean that: &lt;\mu|\nu&gt;=0 ?
 
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An identity map sends a vector to itself.

With lifting he means what the operator looks like on the larger space.
 
0xDEADBEEF said:
An identity map sends a vector to itself.

With lifting he means what the operator looks like on the larger space.

thank you, the identity map was a stupid mistake of me
But after having a better look in Cohen-Tannoudji I understood that qbert made a slite typo mistake
&lt;m \otimes \mu| H |n \otimes \nu&gt;<br /> = &lt;m \otimes \mu| (H_1 \otimes \text{id}_2) |n \otimes \nu&gt;<br /> + &lt;m \otimes \mu| (\text{id}_2 \otimes H_2) |n \otimes \nu&gt; <br />
and it should be

&lt;m \otimes \mu| H |n \otimes \nu&gt;<br /> = &lt;m \otimes \mu| (H_1 \otimes \text{id}_2) |n \otimes \nu&gt;<br /> + &lt;m \otimes \mu| (\text{id}_1 \otimes H_2) |n \otimes \nu&gt; <br />

What I still don't understand (even though thanks to the both of you I am understanding much more) is how to get this:
&lt;\uparrow (\phi)| \otimes &lt;\phi| \frac{\Pi^2}{2M} |\phi &#039;&gt; \otimes |\uparrow (\phi &#039;)&gt; = &lt;\phi| \frac{Q^2} {2M} |\phi &#039;&gt; \\ where\ Q=\Pi -const.

and why isn't &lt;m|n&gt;=&lt;\mu|\nu&gt;=0 ?

Thanks
 
Can I assume that a spinor (spin state that depends on location) state and an eigenstate of momentum (which also depends on location) are in separate Hilbert spaces or does the momentum operator act on the spinor as well?
 

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