Quantum harmonic oscillator inner product

In summary, the conversation discusses using equations and useful relations to show that the given equation can be simplified to obtain a specific result. The solution involves using integrals and manipulating the variables to arrive at the desired equation. The final answer is found by replacing a variable in the initial equation with a different value in the relevant term.
  • #1
Dazed&Confused
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Homework Statement


Using the equations that are defined in the 'relevant equations' box, show that

$$\langle n' | X | n \rangle = \left ( \frac{\hbar}{2m \omega} \right )^{1/2} [ \delta_{n', n+1} (n+1)^{1/2} + \delta_{n',n-1}n^{1/2}]$$

Homework Equations


$$\psi_n(x) = \left ( \frac{m \omega}{\pi \hbar 2^{2n} (n!)^2} \right )^{1/4} \text{exp} \left ( \frac{-m \omega x^2}{2 \hbar} \right )H_n \left [ \left ( \frac{m \omega}{\hbar} \right )^{1/2} x \right ] $$
where ##H_n## are the Hermite polynomials.

The questions asks you to use the useful relations:
$$ H_n^{'}(y) = 2nH_{n-1}$$ $$H_{n+1}(y) = 2yH_n -2nH_{n-1}.$$
I think that the following is also needed:

$$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} H_n(y)H_{n'}(y) e^{-y^2} dy =\delta_{nn'}(\pi^{1/2}2^n n!).$$

Here ##yb = x## where $$b = \left ( \frac{\hbar}{m \omega} \right)^{1/2}.$$

The Attempt at a Solution



Since $$| n \rangle = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} | x' \rangle \langle x'| n \rangle dx'= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} | x' \rangle \psi_n(x') dx',$$ $$ \langle n' | X | n \rangle = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \langle x | x' \rangle x' \psi_{n'}(x) \psi_n(x') dx' dx.$$

This becomes $$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} x \psi_{n'}(x) \psi_{n} (x) dx. $$

Substituting into ##y##, we have $$b^2 A_n A_{n'} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} ye^{-y^2} H_n(y) H_{n'}(y) dy. $$

Using the relations, this becomes $$b^2 A_n A_{n'} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \frac12 H_{n+1} H_{n'} e^{-y^2} + n H_{n-1} H_{n'}e^{-y^2} \ dy.$$

I'm unsure how to write these integrals. In particular, which number to choose as the ##n## corresponding to the useful integral.
 
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  • #2
Ok if I write it like this $$b^2 A_n A_{n'}( \delta_{n',n+1} [\pi^{1/2} 2^n (n+1)!] + \delta_{n',n-1} [\pi^{1/2}2^{n-1}(n-1)!]).$$
The product ##A_nA_{n'}## is $$ \frac{1}{b \pi^{1/2}} \frac{1}{ 2^{n'/2} 2^{n/2} (n!)^{1/2} (n'!)^{1/2 } }.$$

If you replace ##n'## with ##n+1## in the first term and ##n'## with ##n-1## in the second, you get

$$\frac{b}{\sqrt{2}} [ \delta_{n',n+1} (n+1)^{1/2} + \delta_{n',n-1} n^{1/2}],$$ which is the correct answer. This makes sense to me, but is it correct?
 
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Related to Quantum harmonic oscillator inner product

1. What is the quantum harmonic oscillator inner product?

The quantum harmonic oscillator inner product is a mathematical concept used in quantum mechanics to describe the relationship between two quantum states of a harmonic oscillator. It is represented by the integral of the product of the wave functions for the two states.

2. How is the inner product calculated?

The inner product is calculated by integrating the complex conjugate of one wave function multiplied by the other wave function over all possible values of the oscillator's position and momentum. This is also known as the overlap integral.

3. What does the inner product tell us about the states of a quantum harmonic oscillator?

The inner product provides information about the similarity or difference between two quantum states of a harmonic oscillator. A larger inner product indicates a higher degree of overlap between the two states, while a smaller inner product indicates a lower degree of overlap.

4. How is the inner product used in quantum mechanics?

The inner product is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics, used to calculate probabilities of measuring certain outcomes in a system. It is also used to determine the time evolution of quantum states and to calculate expectation values of observables.

5. Are there any real-world applications of the quantum harmonic oscillator inner product?

Yes, the quantum harmonic oscillator inner product has applications in various fields such as quantum computing, quantum chemistry, and quantum optics. It is also used in the development of quantum algorithms and in understanding the behavior of quantum systems.

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