Problem with normalization wave function position/momentum space

WarDieS
Messages
23
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


We start with a pure state at t=0 of an electron is
C e^{- a^2 x^2} \left(\begin{array}{c}<br /> 1\\<br /> i<br /> \end{array}\right)

Probability density of measuring momentun p_0 and third component of spin - \frac{\hbar}{2}

And probability of measuring a state with momentum between 0 and p_0


Homework Equations



Fourier Transform

The Attempt at a Solution



I have a wave function with the spatial and spinor (Z basis),i know the normalization for the spinor is \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} and for the spatial part i just have to solve this
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\psi^{*}\psi dx = 1

Wich gives me
C = (\frac{2}{\pi})^{1/4} \sqrt{a}

Now i have a spatial normalized wave function which is

\psi = (\frac{2}{\pi})^{1/4} \sqrt {a} e^{- a^2 x^2}

Since the momentum is not well defined in the spatial basis i can't obtain the probability of measuring p_0 right away, i have to use the momentum basis wave function, so i must do a Fourier transform of the function like this

\frac{1}{\sqrt{2 \pi \hbar}} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\psi e^{\frac{-i p x}{\hbar}} dx = \frac{1}{\sqrt{a \hbar}} \frac{1}{(2 \pi)^{1/4}} e^-{\frac{p^2}{4 a^2 \hbar^2}}=\phi

Now of the probability to obtain p0 &lt;p_0|\phi&gt;

Wich i assume is the integral from p0 to p0 which is zero, and the probability between 0 and p_0 its the integral from 0 to p_0

\int_{0}^{p_0} \phi p dp = \frac{2^{3/4} (a \hbar)^{3/2}}{\pi^{1/4}} (1-e^{\frac{-p_0^2}{4 a^2 \hbar^2}})


But this has to be wrong, because if i take p_0 = \infty it must be equal to 1 which is not, what's wrong with the normalization ? or is something else ?

Thanks !
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The idea with the Fourier trnsform to get the momentum wave function is correct. Now just remember how to get the probability density (momentum distribution) from the momentum wave function.
 
Thread 'Need help understanding this figure on energy levels'
This figure is from "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by Griffiths (3rd edition). It is available to download. It is from page 142. I am hoping the usual people on this site will give me a hand understanding what is going on in the figure. After the equation (4.50) it says "It is customary to introduce the principal quantum number, ##n##, which simply orders the allowed energies, starting with 1 for the ground state. (see the figure)" I still don't understand the figure :( Here is...
Thread 'Understanding how to "tack on" the time wiggle factor'
The last problem I posted on QM made it into advanced homework help, that is why I am putting it here. I am sorry for any hassle imposed on the moderators by myself. Part (a) is quite easy. We get $$\sigma_1 = 2\lambda, \mathbf{v}_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_2 = \lambda, \mathbf{v}_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_3 = -\lambda, \mathbf{v}_3 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ -1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} $$ There are two ways...
Back
Top