Hydrogen wave function in terms of m_z after m_y measurement

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the normalized wave function for hydrogen after measuring the angular momentum quantum number l = 1 and m_y = +1. The original wave function is given as psi(r, t=0) = (1/sqrt(10))*(2*psi_100 - psi_210 + sqrt(2)*psi_211 + sqrt(3)*psi_21(-1)). Following the measurement, the wave function collapses into a linear combination of states with m_z, specifically psi_21(my=+1) = 1/(sqrt(10))*(C1*2*psi_100 - C2*psi_210 + C3*sqrt(2)*psi_211 + C4*sqrt(3)*psi_21(-1)). The possible energy measurement values correspond to the predefined energy levels of hydrogen, which are determined by the quantum numbers of the resulting wave function.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics, specifically wave functions and measurements.
  • Familiarity with hydrogen atom quantum states (psi_nlm_z).
  • Knowledge of angular momentum operators, particularly L_y.
  • Basic principles of quantum state normalization.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of quantum state collapse in measurement theory.
  • Learn about the role of angular momentum operators in quantum mechanics, focusing on L_y.
  • Explore the energy levels of the hydrogen atom and how they relate to quantum numbers.
  • Investigate linear combinations of quantum states and their normalization post-measurement.
USEFUL FOR

Students of quantum mechanics, physicists working with atomic systems, and anyone interested in the mathematical foundations of wave function measurements in quantum theory.

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Homework Statement



Given the following wave function for hydrogen:

psi(r, t=0) = (1/sqrt(10))*(2*psi_100 - psi_210 + sqrt(2)*psi_211 + sqrt(3)*psi_21(-1))

where the subscripts show n, l, m_z, respectively, and the psi_nlm_z are already normalized.

- At t=0, we measure and find l = 1 and m_y = +1. Now what is the normalized wave function immediately after the measurement, in terms of the psi_nlm_z from the original expression? Also, what are the possible values of an energy measurement?

Homework Equations



- psi_21(my=+1) = 1/(sqrt(10))*(C1*2*psi_100 - C2*psi_210 + C3*sqrt(2)*psi_211 + C4*sqrt(3)*psi_21(-1))

- Ly |l, z> = (-i/2)*(L+ - L-) |l, z>, with known eigenvalues for L+ and L- (if useful)

The Attempt at a Solution



As shown in relevant equation #1, the result of the measurement must be a linear combination of the original states with mz, as that's all we have to start with (the measurement collapses the original wave function). I'm not really sure what to do next, though... anyone have any pointers? Is it true that the result of m_y = 1 implies that the operator applied here must have been Ly? (hence the second equation tentatively given in part 2)
 
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Or is the result of m_y = +1 simply from a measurement of psi(r, t=0), and no operator has been applied as of yet? (in which case, what do I do?)As for the second part, I'm assuming that the energy measurement would be one of the pre-defined energy levels for hydrogen, but I'm not really sure which one. Would it be the same as the original energy of the wave function prior to the measurement? (i.e., the sum of the energies of its individual components) Or would it be some combination of the original energy levels, based on the collapsed wave function's new coefficients? (if so, how would I figure out which one?) Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 

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