How Does Spin-Orbit Coupling Affect Energy Levels in a Hydrogen Atom?

[noospace]

Homework Statement

An electron in a hydrogen atom is in the n = 2, l = 1 state. It experiences a spin-orbit interaction H' = \alpha \mathbf{L} \cdot \mathbf{S}. Calculate the energy level shifts due to the spin-orbit interaction.

Homework Equations

Degenerate perturbation theory.

The Attempt at a Solution

This n,l state is triply degenerate due to the three possible values of m = -1,0,1.

The unperturbed Hamiltonian is just what goes in the Schrödinger equation right? In which case the eigenfunctions of the unperturbed hamiltonian are just the spherical harmonics Y_{lm} multiplied by strictly radial functions. So I put

\psi^{(0)} = \alpha Y_{10} + \beta Y_{1-1} + \gamma Y_{11}

So I then write down the matrix \langle Y_{1,i} |H'| Y_{1,j} \rangle and find the eigenvalues.

Am I getting warm?

 

[Meir Achuz]

You have to evaluate L.S for each angular state (J,L,S) by using
J^2=L^2+S^2+2L\cdot S.
You don't need the explicit wave functions.

 

[noospace]

Hi Meir Achuz,

Thanks for your reply.

So for n = 2, l = 1 we have two possibilities for the total angular momentum corresponding to j = 1/2 and j=3/2 right?

But we also have some degeneracy coming from the possible values of m = -1,0,1.

Does this mean there will be a total of 6 energy shifts?

 

[Meir Achuz]

L^2 and S^2 are known.
There are two energy levels.
One for J^2=(3/2)(5/2), and one for J^2=(1/2)(3/2).
There are 6 states, but because of rotational invariance, the 4 J=3/2 states are still, degenerate, as are the l2 J=1\/2 states.