Particle on a cylinder with harmonic oscillator along z-axis

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the quantum mechanics problem of a spin-less particle confined to the surface of a cylinder with a harmonic potential along the z-axis, described by the Hamiltonian \( H = \frac{p_z^2}{2m} + \frac{L_z^2}{2mR^2} + \frac{1}{2}m\omega^2z^2 \). The participant successfully separates the Hamiltonian into components for a particle on a ring and a harmonic oscillator, deriving eigenvalues \( E = \frac{n^2\hbar^2}{2mR^2} + \hbar\omega(n + 1/2) \). The discussion also addresses the impact of a perturbation \( \epsilon \cos(\phi) \), concluding that its effect is negligible at the fundamental level due to the absence of angular momentum.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles, specifically Hamiltonians.
  • Familiarity with eigenvalues and eigenvectors in quantum systems.
  • Knowledge of harmonic oscillators and angular momentum in quantum mechanics.
  • Experience with perturbation theory in quantum mechanics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of eigenvalues for quantum systems with cylindrical symmetry.
  • Explore perturbation theory applications in quantum mechanics.
  • Learn about the mathematical treatment of angular momentum in quantum systems.
  • Investigate the implications of harmonic potentials on particle behavior in quantum mechanics.
USEFUL FOR

Quantum physicists, graduate students in physics, and researchers focusing on quantum mechanics and harmonic oscillator systems.

Salmone
Messages
101
Reaction score
13
I need to know if I have solved the following problem well:

A spin-less particle of mass m is confined to move on the surface of a cylinder of infinite height with a harmonic potential on the z-axis and Hamiltonian ##H=\frac{p_z^2}{2m}+\frac{L_z^2}{2mR^2}+\frac{1}{2}m\omega^2z^2## and I need to calculate its eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
I thought of separating the Hamiltonian as it is written in the text, and find the Hamiltonian of a particle on a ring and a harmonic oscillator along the z-axis with eigenfunctions of the type ##|\psi\rangle=|m\rangle|n\rangle## where ##m## are the eigenvalues of ##L_z## equal to ##\frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}}e^{im\phi}## and ##n## are the eigenvalues of the harmonic oscillator. For the eigenvalues I had thought they were ##E=\frac{n^2\hbar^2}{2mR^2}+\hbar\omega(n+1/2)##. Is this right?
Also, if I had a perturbation like ##\epsilon cos(\phi)## to calculate on the fundamental level I could say by eye that its effect is zero since in the fundamental level there is no angular momentum?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You have to write ##\mu## for the mass to distnguish if from the eigenvalue of ##\hat{L}_z##, ##m \hbar##. Then ##E_{mn}=m^2\hbar^2/(2\mu R^2)+\hbar \omega (n+1/2)##, where ##m \in \mathbb{Z}##, ##n \in \mathbb{N}_0##.
 
Thank you @vanhees71 for the answer, so the eigenvalues are correct, what about the total Hamiltonian eigenvectors? Are they correct? And the perturbation?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K