Pure State without Superposition possible?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the impossibility of achieving a pure state without superposition in quantum mechanics. Participants clarify that a pure state, often referred to as an eigenstate, inherently involves superposition when considering different observables. For instance, a pure plane wave is a superposition of spherical waves, and even the ground state of a particle in a one-dimensional potential well, while nondegenerate, can be viewed as a superposition of eigenstates of non-commuting operators like the position operator.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with eigenstates and observables
  • Knowledge of superposition in quantum systems
  • Basic concepts of non-commuting operators
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of eigenstates in quantum mechanics
  • Research the role of superposition in quantum states
  • Explore non-commuting operators and their significance
  • Examine the behavior of particles in one-dimensional potential wells
USEFUL FOR

Quantum physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the foundational principles of quantum states and superposition.

rodsika
Messages
278
Reaction score
2
Please give an example of pure state without superposition present, is this possible at all?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
(By "pure state" do you mean eigenstate?) Superposition is such a fundamental feature of quantum mechanics, that no, I don't think what you say is possible. A state which is an eigenstate of one observable will inevitably be a superposition of different eigenstates for some other observable that does not commute with it.

Even a pure plane wave - it can be regarded as a superposition of ingoing and outgoing spherical waves about some origin. Or - the ground state of a particle in a one-dimensional potential well. It is nondegenerate, and so is not a superposition of any other energy eigenstates. However it may be considered as a superposition of eigenstates of some operator that does not commute with E, such as for example the position operator.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 80 ·
3
Replies
80
Views
7K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K