How is the CSCO in an harmonic oscillator?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the identification of the Complete Set of Commuting Observables (CSCO) for a mass with spin 1/2 in a central potential described by a harmonic oscillator. Participants explore the constants of motion relevant to the Hamiltonian and the implications of symmetry in the system.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about finding the CSCO for the given potential and requests assistance.
  • Another participant clarifies the acronym CSCO as Complete Set of Commuting Observables, which is necessary for solving the Hamiltonian.
  • It is suggested that the CSCO for the system may be similar to that of a hydrogen atom due to the rotational symmetry of the potential.
  • One participant proposes using Cartesian coordinates and phonon-number operators as a complete set, relating it to the Hamiltonian of the system.
  • Another participant mentions that the constants of motion include ##\hat{L}_z## and ##\hat{L}^2##, asserting that the Hamiltonian is invariant under rotations and translations.
  • A question is raised about whether the spin contributes an additional constant of motion, specifically asking if ##S_z## should also be considered alongside the other constants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for a CSCO and the relevance of constants of motion in the context of the Hamiltonian. However, there is some uncertainty regarding the inclusion of spin as a constant of motion, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved on this point.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the specific mathematical steps or assumptions regarding the constants of motion and their implications in the context of the harmonic oscillator with spin.

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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