Hydrogen in Magnetic Field, Interaction Representation

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the interaction of a hydrogen atom in an external magnetic field, represented mathematically. Participants are exploring the implications of the Hamiltonian formulation and the resulting differential equations for the spin states in the interaction representation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the derivation of the Hamiltonian and the resulting differential equations for the spin states. There is a focus on whether the equations are coupled or decoupled and the implications of including or excluding certain terms in the Hamiltonian.

Discussion Status

Some participants are questioning the validity of the original poster's approach, particularly regarding the treatment of the time-independent term in the Hamiltonian. Others are providing insights and clarifications on the nature of the equations derived, indicating a productive exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of boundary conditions and the time dependence of certain terms in the equations, which raises questions about the appropriateness of proceeding with the analysis. Additionally, the role of the time-independent component of the Hamiltonian is under scrutiny.

Muh. Fauzi M.
Messages
17
Reaction score
1
The hydrogen is placed in the external magnetic field:
$$ \textbf{B}=\hat{i}B_1 cos(\omega t) + \hat{j} B_2 sin(\omega t) + \hat{k} B_z ,$$

Using the relation ## H = - \frac{e\hbar}{2mc} \mathbf \sigma \cdot \mathbf B ##, then I got the form

$$ H = H_0 + H' , $$

where

$$ H'= - \frac{e \hbar}{2 m c} (B_1 cos(\omega t) \sigma_1 + B_2 sin(\omega t) \sigma_2 ) .$$

To find the spin state in the interaction representation, I substitute the ## H' ## in

$$ i\hbar\frac{\partial}{\partial t} | \psi \rangle = H' | \psi \rangle , $$

with ## | \psi \rangle = \begin{pmatrix} a \\ b \end{pmatrix} .##

Next, I tried to solving it, e.g. for ## a ##

$$\frac{\partial^2 a}{{\partial t}^2} + \lambda^2 a = 0 ,$$

with

$$ \lambda^2 = \big(\frac{e}{2mc}\big)^2[B_1^2 cos^2(\omega t)+B_2^2(sin^2(\omega t))] .$$

Then I'm heading for the boundary condition.

But then I realized that the ## \lambda^2 ## is depend on ## t ##.

So, my question, is it "ok" to continue to the boundary condition, or there is something wrong with my attempt?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
How did you get the differential equation for a? It seems to me you should get two coupled differential equations involving a and b. Is what you show the decoupled result? Also, should you not include the term ##B_z \sigma_3## in your expression for ##H'##?
 
kuruman said:
How did you get the differential equation for a? It seems to me you should get two coupled differential equations involving a and b. Is what you show the decoupled result? Also, should you not include the term ##B_z \sigma_3## in your expression for ##H'##?
I don't include the ## B_z \sigma_3 ## because it time independent.

I realized that I don't differentiate with time the ##{B_1 cos (\omega t) \mp i B_2 sin (\omega t)}## term in the ##\partial a/\partial t## and ##\partial b/\partial t##.

Here's my result after differentiating it (for ## \partial a/\partial t ##),

$$ \frac{\partial^2 a}{{\partial t}^2} = - \frac{e\hbar}{2mc}\Big[ \frac{ie}{2mc} [B_1^2 cos^2{\omega t}+B_2^2 sin^2{\omega t}] a + \frac{2mc}{e\hbar} \omega i \frac{B_1 cos \omega t + i B_2 sin \omega t}{B_1 cos \omega t - i B_2 sin \omega t} \frac{\partial a}{\partial t} \Big] .$$
 
Muh. Fauzi M. said:
I don't include the Bzσ3 B_z \sigma_3 because it time independent.
So what? Is it not a perturbation to ##H_0##? As long as ##B_z \neq 0##, you cannot ignore it.
 
kuruman said:
So what? Is it not a perturbation to ##H_0##? As long as ##B_z \neq 0##, you cannot ignore it.

Thanks for your clue.

I am using Schwinger-Tomonaga equation, where the Hamiltonian that evolve with time is only the time dependent. CMIIW
 
update, I have finish this work.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
19
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
24
Views
3K