Is the Given Interaction Term Correct for Coupled Harmonic Oscillators?

VatanparvaR
Messages
25
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Find the energy levels and the wave functions of two harmonic oscillators of mass m_1and m_2,
having identical frequencies \omega, and coupled by the interaction \frac{1}{2}k(x_{1}^{2}-x_{2}^{2})^2

Homework Equations



Schrodinger equation.

The Attempt at a Solution



My first question is, if the interaction term as it is given makes sense, as it is not of the characteristic of energy/ potential (unit is different!). Therefore i cannot see how to put it into the hamiltonian.
If i just take the interaction terms as it is and add it to the sum of two harmonic oscillators, the term gets long and i can not decouple this hamiltonian

Please give me any hint on this problems. Thank you very much in advance!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
No one can help ? :)

Now I got that from Prof. that it was given wrong, it must bu (x1-x2)^2 in the interaction term, but if it is like above given interaction term, is it right? I mean is such an interaction term possible?
 
Thread 'Need help understanding this figure on energy levels'
This figure is from "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by Griffiths (3rd edition). It is available to download. It is from page 142. I am hoping the usual people on this site will give me a hand understanding what is going on in the figure. After the equation (4.50) it says "It is customary to introduce the principal quantum number, ##n##, which simply orders the allowed energies, starting with 1 for the ground state. (see the figure)" I still don't understand the figure :( Here is...
Thread 'Understanding how to "tack on" the time wiggle factor'
The last problem I posted on QM made it into advanced homework help, that is why I am putting it here. I am sorry for any hassle imposed on the moderators by myself. Part (a) is quite easy. We get $$\sigma_1 = 2\lambda, \mathbf{v}_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_2 = \lambda, \mathbf{v}_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_3 = -\lambda, \mathbf{v}_3 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ -1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} $$ There are two ways...
Back
Top