Heisenberg uncertainty principle in R^n

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving the Heisenberg uncertainty principle in R^n, specifically showing that the product of integrals of the squared modulus of a Schwartz function and its Fourier transform satisfies the inequality: (\int_{R^n}|x|^2|\phi(x)|^2dx)(\int_{R^n}|\xi|^2|\phi(\xi)|^2d\xi) \geq \dfrac{n^2}{16\pi^2}. Key tools mentioned include Plancherel's theorem and the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality. The user attempts to expand the integrals and considers converting functions from Cartesian to spherical coordinates for simplification.

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  • Understanding of Schwartz space functions
  • Familiarity with Plancherel's theorem
  • Knowledge of the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality
  • Proficiency in multivariable calculus and integration techniques
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Mathematicians, physicists, and students studying quantum mechanics or functional analysis, particularly those interested in the implications of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle in higher dimensions.

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Homework Statement


\phi(x) is in Schwartz space, and {\int|\phi(x)|^2dx=1.
I need to show that (\int_{R^n}|x|^2|\phi(x)|^2dx)(\int_{R^n}|\xi|^2|\phi(\xi)|^2d\xi)\geq \dfrac{n^2}{16\pi^2}

Homework Equations


Heisenberg uncertainty in one dimension:
(\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}|x|^2|\phi(x)|^2dx)(\int__{-\infty}^{\infty}|\xi|^2|\phi(\xi)|^2d\xi)\geq \dfrac{1}{16\pi^2}

Plancherel's theorem, probably: For any function in S(R), ||f||=||\hat{f}||=(\int|f(x)|^2)^{-1/2}

Cauchy Schwartz inequality

Anything else?

The Attempt at a Solution



If I expand the integral, I get
(\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}...\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}(x_1+x_2+...+x_n)|\phi(x_1,x_2...)|^2dx_1 dx_2...d_x_n)

I guess I need to show that this is at least n/4\pi

If I expand the polynomial and decompose, I get

(\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}...\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}(x_1)|\phi(x_1,x_2...)|^2dx_1 dx_2...d_x_n)+(\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}...\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}(x_2)|\phi(x_1,x_2...)|^2dx_1 dx_2...d_x_n)+...+(\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}...\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}(x_n)|\phi(x_1,x_2...)|^2dx_1 dx_2...d_x_n)

But each of the integrals evaluated individually is greater than 1/16\pi \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}1dx_1... dx_{i-1} dx_{x+1}...d_x_n) which blows up into 1/16\pi \Pi_{i\neq j}x_i.I have a feeling that's not what's supposed to happen.
 
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I can give you a hint to convert the functions in R^n from cartesian to spherical coordinates.
 

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