Normalization of the radial part of the spherical harmonics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the normalization of the radial part of the spherical harmonics, particularly in the context of a particle confined within a sphere and the associated wavefunctions. Participants explore the challenges of normalizing these wavefunctions, which involve Bessel functions and Legendre polynomials, and the implications of the limits of integration.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in normalizing a function due to divergence issues related to Bessel functions and questions whether the hydrogen atom wavefunction can be used instead.
  • Another participant requests clarification on the exact integral being computed and the functions involved, noting inconsistencies in the original post regarding the topic.
  • Concerns are raised about the contradiction in the title regarding the radial part of spherical harmonics and the mention of harmonic oscillators.
  • A participant suggests that the radial wavefunction must go to zero at the boundary of the sphere and questions the validity of the integral presented in the problem.
  • There is a discussion about the normalization condition for spherical harmonics, with one participant asserting that the equation in question is correct while another challenges this view.
  • Participants note the illegibility of the provided images and suggest providing clearer documentation or links for better assistance.
  • One participant emphasizes the need to integrate only up to the radius of the sphere, as the wavefunction is zero beyond that point.
  • Another participant discusses the context of the problem, indicating that the normalization issue is not directly addressed in the source material.
  • There is mention of using Mathematica for calculations, with some participants expressing unfamiliarity with the software.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the normalization process or the validity of the equations discussed. Multiple competing views and interpretations of the problem remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unclear definitions of the functions involved, unresolved mathematical steps regarding the limits of integration, and the dependence on the specific context of the problem as presented in the source material.

Taz
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TL;DR
How can i normalized the radial part of the Harmonic oscillator .
Im trying to solve the equation 62.7 of this numerical on mathematica. Whenever i try to normalized the function it shows function diverges. As the Bessel function contains trigonometry term so it diverges. I don't know how to solve the integral. Can i use the hydrogen atom wavefunction in exp form? But the question is that hydrogen atom equation is solved by laugurre polynomial and my problem contains legendar polynomial
D8F8769F-846E-45C7-9517-6908E9025E33.jpeg
 

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You start by talking about the radial part of harmonic oscillator wavefunctions. Then you bring up using hydrogen radial wavefunctions. Finally, the picture you show us appears to be about particles confined within a sphere. We are going to need a little more clarity about what you're trying to do. Can you type up the exact integral you're trying to compute and the functions being used in that integral?

[edit] @BvU wants the details, too!
 
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Hello Taz, :welcome: !

I am confused:
  • your title is somewhat contradictory: Spherical harmonics don't have a radial part as far as I remember
  • your summary mentions a harmonic oscillator (can be treated as 3 independent 1D HO) and
  • your (badly photographed and barely legible) screen shot is about a particle in a sphere (so no integration beyond the radius is ever at hand).
Which is it to be ?

[edit]Ah, @Haborix noticed, too !
 
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Sorry for the inconvenience,.Its the sphere enclosed inside the infinite potential .Once we normalized the wavefunction the spherical harmonic(angular part) solved by kronecker delta but the radial part becomes difficult to solve as it contains bessel function (containing trigonometry terms) . So the wavefunction diverges due to limit from zero to infinity... so, in which way i can normalized this radial part shown in equation 62.7 . The image is poor i will try to replace it but lamda is the radial part and J shows bessel function.I hope its more clear now
 
Taz said:
limit from zero to infinity
Still don't understand. Why not integrate up to the radius ( i.e. a zero point of the Bessel function ##j## -- the ##y## fall off as non-physical ) ?

Taz said:
image is poor i will try to replace it
I'll wait for a PDF or a link to a PDF
 
I think I may see the problem. Equation 62.7 in the book, taken literally, doesn't make sense. Because you are studying a particle confined to a sphere of radius ##R##, the radial wavefunction must go to zero at ##R## and be zero for all ##r>R##. It is fair to say ##\int_0^\infty dr |u|^2=1##, but only with the understanding that $$u(r)=\begin{matrix}Cj_\ell(kr) && \text{for } r<R\\ 0 && \text{for } r\geq R \end{matrix}.$$ From this definition you can see the second integral of 62.7 is not correct.
 
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I am attaching the problem again with my hand written sol which explain what is my target
4C5A02D9-5C91-4211-BF17-D1F6D18F749A.jpeg
41F69FFC-5CFF-41A2-AF90-158F38ED2A74.jpeg
A021B77F-8B8F-4C51-985C-E5655D83BA5B.jpeg
D0CDA18B-DDA3-424A-A46A-5A0D4E8495A2.jpeg
4FACC5AB-FC0B-409A-8169-7F2CB74DFB0C.jpeg
 
Haborix said:
I think I may see the problem. Equation 62.7 in the book, taken literally, doesn't make sense. Because you are studying a particle confined to a sphere of radius ##R##, the radial wavefunction must go to zero at ##R## and be zero for all ##r>R##. It is fair to say ##\int_0^\infty dr |u|^2=1##, but only with the understanding that $$u(r)=\begin{matrix}Cj_\ell(kr) && \text{for } r<R\\ 0 && \text{for } r\geq R \end{matrix}.$$ From this definition you can see the second integral of 62.7 is not correct.
 
The 62. 7 equation is correct as its the radial part only the angular part is solved by kronecker delta. can you send me the link of equation you have written?as its confusing as i always thought that after normalization we can have 1 for same l,m and 0 for different l,m
 
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Hello,
I am adding new photos .I want to solve the equation 62.7 of this problem. Its radial part diverges for zero to infinity limit. I don't know how they normalized that part. I want to do it in Mathematica
pic 1.jpg
pic 2.jpg
pic 3.jpg
pic4.jpg
 
  • #15
A link goes quite a long way too ...

OK, so now we can read that 62.7 is in a context where ##C_2## is concluded to be zero. The argument goes on with ##C_1## for which you want to find the proper normalizing value. The author wisely avoids the normalization issue and focuses on the energy levels.

But you want to make life difficult (Bravo!) and dig in deeper. If we drill to the core, your self-assigned mission is to integrate $$\chi_l^2(r) = {\pi k r\over2} |C_1|^2 J_{l+{1\over 2}}^2 (kr) \qquad\qquad (62.3) $$from zero to any of the points where $$ J_{l+{1\over 2}} (kR) = 0 \qquad\qquad\qquad\qquad\qquad (62.10) $$ and no further as @Haborix and I have tried to point out: beyond that, the potential function is infinite and the wave function is zero.

Should be a breeze for Matlab .

:smile:

[edit] oh, no: for mathematica. Don't know that program at all :frown:
[edit2] but google is everyone's friend and it looks promising

##\ ##
 
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