Number operator in the ground state

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of an expression involving the number operator in the context of Bogoliubov transformations in quantum field theory. Participants are examining the relationship between the ground state and the operators involved, particularly focusing on the integration measure and the transformation of operators.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the transformation of the integration measure from \(d^3 \textbf{k}\) to \(k^2 dk\) and the implications of this change. There is also discussion about the behavior of operators in the ground state and the normalization of operators.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the integration process and the normal ordering of operators. There is ongoing clarification regarding the treatment of annihilation and creation operators in the ground state, with multiple interpretations being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of quantum field theory and the properties of Bogoliubov transformations. There is mention of potential mistakes in the application of operator algebra and the need for careful consideration of ground state properties.

pleasehelpmeno
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Homework Statement


Why does <0|[itex]\frac{1}{(2\pi)^3}[/itex]∫ [itex]\hat{a}^{\dagger}(t,r)[/itex] [itex]\hat{a}(t,r)[/itex] d[itex]^{3}[/itex] [itex]\textbf{k}[/itex] |0> = [itex]\frac{1}{\pi^2}∫[/itex]|β|^2 k^2 dk.

Where [itex]\hat{a}[/itex] and [itex]\hat{a}^{\dagger}[/itex] and its conjugate are bogulobov transformations given by:

[itex]\hat{a}[/itex](t,k) = [itex]\alpha[/itex](t)a(k) + β(t)[itex]b^{\dagger}[/itex](-k).

In the ground state a|0> =0 etc.


I am fairly certain it is some sort of table integral but i am not sure and want to prove it, any help or suggestions would be appreciated. I have taken the conjugate of the aforementioned a and multiplied it though but I don't understand why d[itex]^{3}[/itex] [itex]\textbf{k}[/itex] becomes k^2 dk. and how the pi factor changes, i.e. i get

[itex]\frac{1}{(2\pi)^3}[/itex]∫ [itex]b^{\dagger}[/itex](-k)b(-k)|β|^2 d[itex]^{3}[/itex] [itex]\textbf{k}[/itex]
 
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pleasehelpmeno said:

Homework Statement


Why does <0|[itex]\frac{1}{(2\pi)^3}[/itex]∫ [itex]\hat{a}^{\dagger}(t,r)[/itex] [itex]\hat{a}(t,r)[/itex] d[itex]^{3}[/itex] [itex]\textbf{k}[/itex] |0> = [itex]\frac{1}{\pi^2}∫[/itex]|β|^2 k^2 dk.

Where [itex]\hat{a}[/itex] and [itex]\hat{a}^{\dagger}[/itex] and its conjugate are bogulobov transformations given by:

[itex]\hat{a}[/itex](t,k) = [itex]\alpha[/itex](t)a(k) + β(t)[itex]b^{\dagger}[/itex](-k).

In the ground state a|0> =0 etc.I am fairly certain it is some sort of table integral but i am not sure and want to prove it, any help or suggestions would be appreciated. I have taken the conjugate of the aforementioned a and multiplied it though but I don't understand why d[itex]^{3}[/itex] [itex]\textbf{k}[/itex] becomes k^2 dk. and how the pi factor changes, i.e. i get

[itex]\frac{1}{(2\pi)^3}[/itex]∫ [itex]b^{\dagger}[/itex](-k)b(-k)|β|^2 d[itex]^{3}[/itex] [itex]\textbf{k}[/itex]

The change of integration measure is just the standard shift to spherical coordinates in k-space:
[tex]d^3k=k^2 dk d\Omega[/tex]
Integrating over the angular integral [itex]d\Omega[/itex] is what changes the factors of Pi.
 
excellent thankyou, why do the operators bb^\dagger disappear is it just that in the ground state they become equal to 1?
 
Edit: I just caught your mistake. Check your work again. You should have [itex]<0|b b^{\dagger}|0>[/itex] not [itex]<0|b^{\dagger}b|0>[/itex] as you have in your first post.

Normal order all your operators and you should see how the operators drop out of the expression.
 
Last edited:
sorry, [itex]\hat{a}[/itex](t,r) and its conjugate are bogulobov transofrmations of the fermionic creation and annihilation operators a(k) and b(-k).

The other bogulobv transformation although i didnt think it was needed is:

[itex]b^{\dagger}[/itex](t,k)=-β*(t)a(k)+ [itex]\alpha[/itex]* [itex]b^{\dagger}[/itex](k).

My method was to take the * of [itex]\hat{a}[/itex](t,r) and multiply it with [itex]\hat{a}[/itex](t,r) and then cancel out using the ground state rules and that <0| [itex]a^{\dagger}[/itex](t,r) =0. but it still leaves b [itex]b^{\dagger}[/itex](-r). In the integral, one of the 2's is canceled as there are also two degrees of freedom.
 
G01 said:
Edit: I just caught your mistake. Check your work again. You should have [itex]<0|b b^{\dagger}|0>[/itex] not [itex]<0|b^{\dagger}b|0>[/itex] as you have in your first post.

Normal order all your operators and you should see how the operators drop out of the expression.

Thanks I didn't notice that, will that mean that it just goes to 1?
 
pleasehelpmeno said:
Thanks I didn't notice that, will that mean that it just goes to 1?

Work it out. Use the anticommutation relations to move operators such that you end up with the annihilation operators to the right (this is called normal ordering). You should see that you are left with a term that goes to zero and another that goes to 1.
 
yeah thought so thx
 

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