Parity operator and change of variable question

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of the parity operator in quantum mechanics as described in Cohen-Tannoudji's book. The user questions the treatment of the differential volume element during a variable change from \(\vec{r}\) to \(\vec{r'} = -\vec{r}\). Specifically, they note that while the differential volume \(d^3 r\) transforms to \(d^3 r' = -d^3 r\), the minus sign appears to be omitted in the transformed integral representation of the state vector \(|\psi\rangle\). The conversation highlights the importance of understanding how limits of integration and the properties of differential volume elements affect the final expression.

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  • Study the properties of the parity operator in quantum mechanics.
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andresordonez
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Hi, while reading the section about the parity operator from the QM book by Cohen-Tannoudji (complement F II, page 192), I found this:

"
Consider an arbitrary vector |\psi\rangle of \mathcal{E}_\vec{r}:

|\psi\rangle = \int d^3 r \psi(\vec{r})|\vec{r} \rangle

If the variable change \vec{r'}=-\vec{r} is performed, |\psi \rangle can be written:

|\psi \rangle = \int d^3 r' \psi (-\vec{r'}) |-\vec{r'} \rangle
"

But d^3 r = dx dy dz and after the variable change I get d^3 r' = dx' dy' dz' = - dx dy dz, so I don't understand what happened to that minus sign. It should be:

|\psi \rangle = -\int d^3 r' \psi (-\vec{r'}) |-\vec{r'} \rangle

right??

Someone told me it had to do something with the meaning of the differential volume, but I'm not sure about that.

Thanks.
 
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The limits on the integral also got swapped. When you change them back around, there's another three factors of -1.
 
Right. Thanks schieghoven!
 

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