How to Find the Berry Phase in Slowly Varying Systems

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter ergospherical
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Berry phase Phase
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on finding the Berry phase in slowly varying systems, specifically through the application of the Schrödinger equation with a time-dependent Hamiltonian, H(𝑅(𝑡)). The trial solution for the wave function is expressed as |ψ(t)⟩ = e^{iγ_n(t)} e^{-iφ_n(t)} |n(𝑅(t))⟩, where φ_n(t) is defined as the integral of the energy eigenvalue E_n(𝑅(t')). The key challenge discussed is solving for γ_n(𝓒) using the integral involving the gradient of the eigenstates, leading to the conclusion that the eigenstates |n⟩ are normalized, which simplifies the calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics, particularly the Schrödinger equation.
  • Familiarity with Berry phase and its significance in quantum systems.
  • Knowledge of eigenstates and eigenvalues in quantum mechanics.
  • Proficiency in calculus, especially integration and differentiation of functions.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Berry phase in quantum mechanics.
  • Learn about the implications of normalized eigenstates in quantum systems.
  • Explore the mathematical techniques for solving differential equations in quantum mechanics.
  • Investigate the role of parameter space in quantum mechanics and its effects on wave functions.
USEFUL FOR

Quantum physicists, graduate students in physics, and researchers interested in the applications of Berry phase in quantum systems will benefit from this discussion.

ergospherical
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Education Advisor
Insights Author
Messages
1,100
Reaction score
1,387
I was trying to follow this page:
https://phyx.readthedocs.io/en/latest/TI/Lecture notes/2.html

With ##|n(\mathbf{R})\rangle## being the eigenstates of ##H|\mathbf{R} \rangle## of eigenvalue ##E_n(\mathbf{R})##, the task is to solve the Schroedinger equation ##i | \dot{\psi}(t) \rangle = H(\mathbf{R}(t)) |\psi(t)\rangle## when the parameter vector ##\mathbf{R}(t)## varies slowly with time. They suggest the trial solution\begin{align*}
|\psi(t)\rangle = e^{i\gamma_n(t)} e^{-i\phi_n(t)} |n(\mathbf{R}(t))\rangle
\end{align*}with ##\phi_n(t) = \displaystyle{\int}_{0}^t E_n(\mathbf{R}(t')) dt'##. I obtain (omitting functional dependencies for clarity)\begin{align*}
|\dot{\psi}\rangle &= e^{i\gamma_n } e^{-i\phi_n}(i\dot{\gamma}_n |n\rangle - i \dot{\phi}_n |n\rangle+ |\dot{n}\rangle ) \\
&= e^{i\gamma_n} e^{-i\phi_n }(i\dot{\gamma}_n |n\rangle - i E_n |n\rangle+ |\dot{n}\rangle )
\end{align*}so putting ##|\dot{\psi}\rangle = -iH |\psi \rangle = -iE_n e^{i\gamma} e^{-i\phi} |n\rangle## gives\begin{align*}
|\dot{n}\rangle = -i\dot{\gamma}_n |n\rangle
\end{align*}which looks like what they got. Now I'm trying to figure out how they solved for ##\gamma_n##, viz:\begin{align*}
\gamma_n(\mathcal{C}) = \int_{\mathcal{C}} i \langle n(\mathbf{R}) | \nabla_{\mathbf{R}} n(\mathbf{R}) \rangle d\mathbf{R} \ \ \ (\dagger)
\end{align*}I assume that ##\mathcal{C}## is a path in ##\mathbf{R}##-space, parameterised by time ##t##? In other words,\begin{align*}
i\gamma_n(t) &= -\int_0^t \langle n(\mathbf{R}(t') | \nabla_{\mathbf{R}(t')} n(\mathbf{R}(t')) \rangle \dot{\mathbf{R}}(t') dt' \\
i\dot{\gamma}_n(t) &= - \langle n(\mathbf{R}(t) | \nabla_{\mathbf{R}(t)} n(\mathbf{R}(t)) \rangle \dot{\mathbf{R}}(t)
\end{align*}From here (again omitting functional depencies for clarity), I'm not totally sure how to show that ##i\dot{\gamma}_n |n \rangle = -|\dot{n}\rangle##, so that ##(\dagger)## is indeed a solution of the differential equation. I had the idea to re-write\begin{align*}
| \nabla_{\mathbf{R}} n \rangle \dot{\mathbf{R}} = |\dot{n} \rangle
\end{align*}so that\begin{align*}
i\dot{\gamma}_n |n \rangle &= - \langle n |\dot{n} \rangle | n \rangle = -| n \rangle \langle n |\dot{n} \rangle
\end{align*}but the RHS doesn't look quite like ##|\dot{n}\rangle##, since the identity operator is rather a sum ##\displaystyle{\sum_n} | n \rangle \langle n |## over ##n##. Where did I go wrong?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: vanhees71
Physics news on Phys.org
So you've got $$|\dot{n}\rangle = -i\dot{\gamma}_n |n\rangle ,$$ which as you've correctly pointed out can be re-written as
$$\nabla_{\mathbf{R}} | n \rangle \cdot \dot{\mathbf{R}} = -i\dot{\gamma}_n |n\rangle, $$ now apply ##\langle n |## to both sides and you get $$\langle n |\nabla_{\mathbf{R}} | n \rangle \cdot \dot{\mathbf{R}} = -i\dot{\gamma}_n, $$ then just take the integral.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: vanhees71 and ergospherical
Got it, thanks! I hadn't realized that the eigenstates ##|n\rangle## are normalised :)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K