QM: Writing time evolution as sum over energy eigenstates

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the time evolution of a 1-D harmonic oscillator using the unitary operator ##\hat{U}(t)## expressed as a sum over energy eigenstates. The energy eigenstates are denoted as ##|j>##, with corresponding energies ##E_j = \hbar\omega(\frac{1}{2}+j)##. The initial state is given by ##|\Psi(0)\rangle = |j\rangle##, and the challenge is to derive the form of ##\hat{U}(t)## in this context. The user seeks assistance in completing this derivation.

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  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles, particularly harmonic oscillators.
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Muizz
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Suppose I have a 1-D harmonic oscilator with angular velocity ##\omega## and eigenstates ##|j>## and let the state at ##t=0## be given by ##|\Psi(0)>##. We write ##\Psi(t) = \hat{U}(t)\Psi(0)##. Write ##\hat{U}(t)## as sum over energy eigenstates.

I've previously shown that ##\hat{H} = \sum_j |j>E_j<j|## with ##E_j = \hbar\omega(\frac12+j)## (part one of the exercise I got this from) but with this second part I'm drawing a complete blank. Any help would be hugely appreciated.
 
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Hello,

Make life simple and imagine ##|\Psi(0)\rangle = |j\rangle ##.
What would ##\hat U(t) ## look like in that case ?
 

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