Measuring Spectrum of Boxes A & B: Same QM System?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter zetafunction
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Spectrum
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on whether two quantum mechanical systems, represented by boxes A and B, can be considered identical if their absorption and emission spectra yield equal eigenvalues. It is established that while equal eigenvalues indicate similar energy levels, they do not guarantee identical systems due to potential differences in eigenstates. The consensus is that complete characterization of a quantum system requires knowledge of both energy eigenvalues and corresponding eigenstates, which are not directly obtainable from the spectrum alone.

PREREQUISITES
  • Quantum Mechanics fundamentals
  • Understanding of eigenvalues and eigenstates
  • Knowledge of absorption and emission spectra
  • Familiarity with spectrometers and their applications
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between eigenvalues and eigenstates in quantum systems
  • Explore the principles of quantum state characterization
  • Learn about the limitations of spectroscopic methods in quantum mechanics
  • Investigate advanced topics in quantum mechanics, such as wavefunction analysis
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in quantum mechanics, physicists analyzing quantum systems, and researchers interested in the implications of spectral analysis in quantum theory.

zetafunction
Messages
371
Reaction score
0
let us suppose we have two boxes labelled by A and B

i can not open none of them (the boxes) but i can use an spectrometer to measure the absortion and emission spectrum

i chek that the eigenvalues of both systems are equal , then my question is A and B boxes contain the same QM system??

the idea is, is a system completely defined by knowing its spectrum ??
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I don't think so... if you're talking about the absorption/emission spectra resulting from transitions between states, the spectrum tells you only the energy eigenvalues (or rather, the differences between them). I think you could, in principle, have different systems with the same energy eigenvalues but different corresponding eigenstates (wavefunctions).

If you know the energy eigenvalues and the eigenstates, then I think that does characterize everything you need to know about the system. (Good luck figuring out the eigenstates though ;-)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
4K