Undergrad How is the CSCO in an harmonic oscillator?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on identifying the Complete Set of Commuting Observables (CSCO) for a mass m with spin 1/2 in a central potential defined as V(r) = 1/2mω²r². Participants confirm that the CSCO can include the Hamiltonian operator (H), the total angular momentum squared operator (L²), and the z-component of angular momentum operator (Lz). Additionally, the spin operator Sz is also considered a constant of motion, resulting in a total of four constants of motion when accounting for spin.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles, specifically Hamiltonians and observables.
  • Familiarity with the concept of angular momentum in quantum systems.
  • Knowledge of spin-1/2 particles and their associated operators.
  • Basic grasp of central potentials and their implications in quantum mechanics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of the Complete Set of Commuting Observables in quantum mechanics.
  • Explore the properties and implications of the Hamiltonian operator in central potentials.
  • Learn about angular momentum operators, specifically L² and Lz, in quantum systems.
  • Investigate the role of spin operators in quantum mechanics, particularly for spin-1/2 particles.
USEFUL FOR

Quantum physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and researchers interested in the behavior of spin-1/2 particles in central potentials will benefit from this discussion.

Dario SLC
Hi everyone, I have a great doubt in this problem:
Let a mass m with spin 1/2, subject to the following central potencial V(r):
V(r)=1/2mω2r2
Find the constants of motion and the CSCO to solve the Hamiltonian?

This is my doubt, I can't find the CSCO in this potencial. Is a problem in general quantum physics, not use the Dirac's notation brakets and ket.

Thanks a lot!
Dar
 
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What the heck is CSCO? Define your acronyms!
 
vanhees71 said:
What the heck is CSCO? Define your acronyms!
Yes I am sorry, CSCO= Complete Set of Conmuting Observables. This I need for resolve the hamiltonian.
 
It's the same set as with a hydrogen atom, as this is rotation symmetric. Isn't that term just a "centrifugal" force that actually belongs to the kinetic energy but can also be thought of as an effective noninertial part of the potential field?
 
For the symmetric 3D harmonic oscillator you have of course several possibilities. On one hand you can use Cartesian coordinates and use the three phonon-number operators ##\hat{N}_j=\hat{a}_j^{\dagger} \hat{a}_j## as the complete set. The relation to the Hamiltonian is
$$\hat{H}=\hbar \omega \left (\sum_{j=1}^3 \hat{N}_j+\frac{3}{2} \right ).$$
On the other hand, as any central potential you can as well use ##\hat{H}##, ##\hat{\vec{L}}^2##, and ##\hat{L}_z## as the complete set. The corresponding quantum numbers are then as for any central potential ##E##, ##\ell## and ##m##.
 
Ok thanks a lot!

Then in addition, the ##\hat{L}_z## and ##\hat{L}^2## they are motion constants because the hamiltonian is invariant to rotations and translations, and the energy ##E## only depends of the quantum number ##n##just because the hamiltonian conmute with the operator rotator ##\hat{R}## and translator ##\hat{T}##. It is true no?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
vanhees71 said:
For the symmetric 3D harmonic oscillator you have of course several possibilities. On one hand you can use Cartesian coordinates and use the three phonon-number operators ##\hat{N}_j=\hat{a}_j^{\dagger} \hat{a}_j## as the complete set. The relation to the Hamiltonian is
$$\hat{H}=\hbar \omega \left (\sum_{j=1}^3 \hat{N}_j+\frac{3}{2} \right ).$$
On the other hand, as any central potential you can as well use ##\hat{H}##, ##\hat{\vec{L}}^2##, and ##\hat{L}_z## as the complete set. The corresponding quantum numbers are then as for any central potential ##E##, ##\ell## and ##m##.
Hi, a question about the spin, this add a new constant of movement, ie., in addition to ##L^2##, ##L_z## and ##H##, ##S_z## also is a constant of movement? My doubt is because this problem have in reality four constant of movement if we take into account that spin.
 

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