# Hydrogen transition probability

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1. Jul 18, 2017

### svletana

Hello! I have the following problem I'm trying to solve:

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
An Hydrogen atom in the state |100> is found between the plates of a capacitor, where the electric field (weak and uniform) is: $E(t) = \epsilon e^{-\alpha t / \tau}$.

Calculate the parameters of the potential ($\epsilon, \alpha, \tau$) so that for a time $t \gg \tau$ the transition probability to any of the n=2 states is equal to 0.1.

2. Relevant equations
The field is asumed to be in an arbitrary $r = (x,y,z)$ direction, so that $W = \epsilon e^{-\alpha t / \tau} r$.

The formula for transition probability is (using atomic units):
$$P = \left| \int_0^{T \gg \tau} e^{i \omega t} <100 | r | 21m> \epsilon e^{-\alpha t / \tau}dt \right|^2$$

where $\omega = \frac{E_{21m} - E_{100}}{\hbar} = \frac{-3}{4}$.

For the $<100|r|21m>$ elements we have the results, for each m:
$$<100|r|200> = 0$$
$$<100|r|210> = \frac{2^7 \sqrt{2} \hat{z}}{3^5}$$
$$<100|r|21\pm1> = \frac{2^7}{3^5}(\mp\hat{x} - i\hat{y})$$

3. The attempt at a solution
I solved the integral for an arbitrary m and l=1, calling the result of the $<100|r|21m>=\gamma$. Since it does not depend on t we can take it out of the integral along with all the constants. The integral is then:

$$P = \gamma^2 \epsilon^2 \left| \int_0^{T \gg \tau} e^{-\left( \frac{3i}{4} + \frac{\alpha}{\tau}\right)t} dt \right|^2$$

For which I solved and took the limit $T \rightarrow \infty$ and got the result:

$$\frac{\gamma^2 \epsilon^2}{\frac{9}{16} + \frac{\alpha^2}{\tau^2}}$$

Now, $\gamma^2 = \frac{2^{15}}{3^{10}}$ for any value of m. And that result must be equal to 0.1 according to the guidelines.

I don't see how I could possibly calculate 3 parameters from this equation, what am I missing? Thanks in advance!

2. Jul 18, 2017

### Dazed&Confused

Not that this is that much help but shouldn't the potential be proportional to $r \cos \theta$ not $r$? With this you get zero for $m=-1$, but the same otherwise.

3. Jul 18, 2017

### svletana

Sorry, r would be a vector, for example r = xî + yĵ + zk, so you could have it in any of the three directions.

4. Jul 18, 2017

### Dazed&Confused

Ah ok. It's just I would have thought you take the inner product of the potential, that is, the potential is your operator.

5. Jul 18, 2017

### svletana

I just talked to my teacher and he said that i should choose the field going in the z direction so the only transition possible is to the |210> state and then choose parameters that would fit the problem... Guess that settles it :P

6. Jul 18, 2017

### Dazed&Confused

But I'm also not sure how you can get 3 parameters from one equation. It is strange that it says for any n=2 state though, when at least if l=1, m=0, you got 0 as the probability. Also perhaps that the electric field is weak needs to be employed.

7. Jul 18, 2017

### Dazed&Confused

Well that's what I did, hence $z = r \cos \theta$, however to me that didn't give an obvious solution.

8. Jul 18, 2017

### svletana

Would the parameters $\alpha = 3.67 \times 10^7$, $\epsilon = 1.93 \times 10^{11} \frac{V}{m}$ and $\tau = 1.109 \times 10^{-9}$ seconds work?

I had in mind that it would have to be an electric field strong enough to make the transition but not so big so hydrogen is ionized, a value of $\tau$ around the value of the half life for that transition, and calculating $\alpha$ with those two and the expression.

9. Jul 18, 2017

### Dazed&Confused

That sounds reasonable. The wording of question doesn't imply you have some freedom in choosing your parameters, but since the number of equations is under determined I would say you are likely right.

10. Jul 18, 2017

### svletana

Yeah I only really found out because I emailed my teacher asking how would I get 3 parameters from one equation, but that's exactly what he wrote...