New Energy Levels for Degenerate Perturbation Theory

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around energy levels in quantum mechanics, specifically focusing on degenerate perturbation theory. The original poster presents a problem involving energy states and perturbations of a Hamiltonian operator.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate new energy levels under different conditions of degeneracy using first and second-order perturbation theory. They express uncertainty about handling the calculations, particularly in the case of non-degenerate and degenerate scenarios.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide guidance by suggesting that a zero result in the first-order correction indicates that the correction vanishes, prompting further exploration of eigenstate perturbation and second-order corrections. The original poster has made progress on one part of the problem but continues to seek assistance with the degenerate case.

Contextual Notes

The problem includes specific conditions regarding the energy levels and perturbation, with emphasis on the differences between degenerate and non-degenerate cases. The original poster's attempts suggest a focus on understanding the implications of these conditions on the energy corrections.

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Homework Statement



The e-states of H^0 are

phi_1 = (1, 0, 0) , phi_2 = (0,1,0), phi_3 = (0,0,1) *all columns
with e-values E_1, E_2 and E_3 respectively.

Each are subject to the perturbation

H' = beta (0 1 0
1 0 1
0 1 0)

where beta is a positive constant

a) If E_1 =/ E_2 =/ E_3

What are the new energy levels according to first and second-order perturbation theory

b) If E_1 = E_2 = E_3

What are the new energy levels according to first degenerate perturbation theory

c) If E_1 =/ E_2 = E_3

What are the new energy levels according to first perturbation theory

Homework Equations



For first order non degenerate perturbation:

E_n ^1 = <phi_n ^ 0 | H' | phi_n ^ 0>

For second order perturbation

E_n ^2 = Σ (m=/n) of (|phi_m ^0 | H' | phi_n ^ 0>|^2)/(E_n ^ 0 - E_m ^0)

The Attempt at a Solution



a)

E_1 ^1 = < (1 | H' | (1 >
0 0
0) 0)

I am not sure how to deal with this as I just get zeroAny help pushing me in the right direction would be appreciated
 
Last edited:
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Getting a zero only means that the first order correction to the energy vanishes. You should comtinue with the eigenstate perturbation and the second order energy correction.
 
Ok, thanks I have figured out a) but am still have trouble with the degenerate case
 
Can you show what you have attempted for the degenerate case?
 

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