Fourier Transform of Photon Emission Hamiltonian

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Fourier Transform of the photon emission Hamiltonian, specifically $$H(x) = \frac{ie\hbar}{mc}A(x)\cdot\nabla_{x}$$, where $$A(x)$$ incorporates the photon creation and annihilation operators $$a_{p}$$ and $$a_{p}^{\dagger}$$. The transformation to momentum basis yields $$H(k) \propto \delta(p-k)k$$, but participants highlight the omission of the integral of $$A(x)$$ and the need for a more thorough derivation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of including all relevant terms and performing detailed calculations to avoid oversights.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics, particularly Hamiltonians and operators.
  • Familiarity with Fourier Transforms in the context of quantum field theory.
  • Knowledge of 4-vectors and their application in physics.
  • Experience with Dirac delta functions and their properties.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of Fourier Transforms in quantum mechanics, focusing on Hamiltonians.
  • Explore the role of creation and annihilation operators in quantum field theory.
  • Learn about the implications of 4-vectors in relativistic quantum mechanics.
  • Investigate the properties and applications of Dirac delta functions in physics.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, quantum mechanics students, and researchers in quantum field theory seeking to deepen their understanding of Hamiltonians and Fourier Transforms in photon emission processes.

thatboi
Messages
130
Reaction score
20
Hey all,
I just wanted to double check my logic behind getting the Fourier Transform of the following Hamiltonian:
$$H(x) = \frac{ie\hbar}{mc}A(x)\cdot\nabla_{x}$$
where $$A(x) = \sqrt{\frac{2\pi\hbar c^2}{\omega L^3}}\left(a_{p}\epsilon_{p} e^{i(p\cdot x)} + a_{p}^{\dagger}\epsilon_{p} e^{-i(p\cdot x)}\right)$$
and ##\epsilon_{p}## is the polarization vector and ##a_{p},a_{p}^{\dagger}## are the photon creation/annihilation operators for a photon with momentum ##p##. Also, we can treat the ##p## and ##x## as 4-vectors. To transform ##H(x)## to the momentum basis, I insert an integral of ##d^{4}x## and multiply by ##e^{ik\cdot x}##. Doing this leaves me with $$H(k) \propto \delta(p-k)k$$ since the ##\nabla_{x}## drags down a factor of ##k## and the Fourier Transform of an exponential function is just a Dirac delta. This result seems too simple to me so I was wondering if I made a mistake somewhere.
Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What happens to ##A(x)## when you do the integral? It seems like you're just leaving it out.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: hutchphd
PeterDonis said:
What happens to ##A(x)## when you do the integral? It seems like you're just leaving it out.
I thought the ##\delta(p-k)## factor came from the ##e^{(ip\cdot x)}## term in ##A(x)##, in which case I also forgot a ##\delta(p+k)*k## factor in my above response.
 
Let me try to say what @PeterDonis said but slightly more direct. Where are ##a_p## and ##\epsilon_p##? Also, the expression you give for ##H(k)## is proportional to ##k##, and ##k## is generally a vector. Your sanity check alarms should be going off.
 
Perhaps you should fill in the steps (using, say, mathematics

thatboi said:
A(x)=2πℏc2ωL3(apϵpei(p⋅x)+ap†ϵpe−i(p⋅x))
and ϵp is the polarization vector and ap,ap† are the photon creation/annihilation operators for a photon with momentum p. Also, we can treat the p and x as 4-vectors. To transform H(x) to the momentum basis, I insert an integral of d4x and multiply by eik⋅x. Doing this leaves me with

Hand waving is not enough. It is good that your radar went off. It is bad that you didn't do the physics.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K