Graduate What are the quantum numbers used to label helium atom eigenfunctions?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the quantum numbers used to label the eigenfunctions of the helium atom, specifically in the context of non-perturbative solutions to the three-body problem. The relevant quantum numbers include the term symbol components: L (orbital angular momentum), S (spin), J (total angular momentum), and MJ (magnetic quantum number). Variational methods are highlighted as effective techniques for obtaining accurate results, with references to "Intermediate Quantum Mechanics" by Bethe and Jackiw, and key research papers by Drake and Van (1994) and Yan and Drake (1995) providing foundational insights.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics and eigenfunctions
  • Familiarity with the helium atom and its three-body problem
  • Knowledge of variational methods in quantum physics
  • Basic grasp of term symbols in quantum mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study variational methods for quantum systems
  • Read "Intermediate Quantum Mechanics" by Bethe and Jackiw
  • Explore the semiclassical theory of the helium atom
  • Investigate fine structure splittings in helium and He-like ions
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, quantum mechanics students, and researchers focused on atomic structure and eigenfunction analysis, particularly those interested in helium atom studies.

HomogenousCow
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Are there any results on the structure of the helium atom eigenfunctions? By this I'm referring to the non-perturbative structure of the eigenfunctions, AKA what are the quantum numbers that one would use to label the eigenfunctions?
 
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I am nit sure what you mean by "non-perturbative," as it is a 3-body problem, hence no analytical solutions.

Using the base Hamiltonian, the quantum numbers you get are those that make up the term symbol, L, S, J, and MJ.
 
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There are also variational methods. With suitably chosen basis functions you can get quite accurate results -- see for example chapter 3 in "Intermediate Quantum Mechanics" by Bethe and Jackiw.
 
HomogenousCow said:
Are there any results on the structure of the helium atom eigenfunctions? By this I'm referring to the non-perturbative structure of the eigenfunctions, AKA what are the quantum numbers that one would use to label the eigenfunctions?
  • Drake, G. W. F., & Van, Z. C., Variational eigenvalues for the S states of helium. Chemical Physics Letters 229 (1994), 486-490.
  • Yan, Z. C., & Drake, G. W. F., High precision calculation of fine structure splittings in helium and He-like ions. Physical review letters, 74 (1995), 4791.
 
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HomogenousCow said:
Are there any results on the structure of the helium atom eigenfunctions? By this I'm referring to the non-perturbative structure of the eigenfunctions, AKA what are the quantum numbers that one would use to label the eigenfunctions?
The following may be relevant: http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Semiclassical_theory_of_helium_atom
 
Time reversal invariant Hamiltonians must satisfy ##[H,\Theta]=0## where ##\Theta## is time reversal operator. However, in some texts (for example see Many-body Quantum Theory in Condensed Matter Physics an introduction, HENRIK BRUUS and KARSTEN FLENSBERG, Corrected version: 14 January 2016, section 7.1.4) the time reversal invariant condition is introduced as ##H=H^*##. How these two conditions are identical?

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