Quantum Mechanics: Expectation values

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the expectation value in quantum mechanics, specifically related to a system involving photon states and operators. The original poster is attempting to understand how the operator \( b \) acts on the vacuum state and how to compute the expectation value for energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the clarity of the original poster's problem setup, including the definitions of operators and the nature of the system. There are inquiries about the time dependence of states and the specifics of the expectation value to be computed.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants seeking clarification on the original poster's statements and definitions. There is an indication that the original poster's explanation may lack sufficient detail for others to follow, leading to requests for more information.

Contextual Notes

There are concerns about the integration over time and the implications for the time-dependent state. The original poster mentions the context of single photon output and the need to determine mean values and standard deviations, but the specifics remain unclear.

Nusc
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Homework Statement



I need to find the expectation value for E but I don't know how b acts on the vacuum state.

Homework Equations


[tex] b = \int dt \phi^{*}(t) \hat{{\cal E}}_{in}(t)[/tex]
[tex] | \psi(t)\rangle = b^\dagger| 0\rangle[/tex]



The Attempt at a Solution


[tex] \langle \psi(t) | \hat{{\cal E}}^\dagger\hat{{\cal E}}| \psi(t)\rangle =<br /> [/tex]
 
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What did I not make clear?
 
Nusc said:
What did I not make clear?

Everything! What is the system supposed to be? How are your operators and other variables defined? Are you integrating over time? Then how is it that the state is time dependent? What exactly are you supposed to compute the expectation value of?
 
This represents the single photon output level and I'm supposed to determine the
mean value and standard deviation of the single photon amplitude.
[tex] \hat{{\cal E}} = e^{-\kappa \tau}+ e^{-\kappa t}\int^{t}_{0}e^{\kappa \tau} \sqrt{2\kappa}\, \hat{{\cal E}}_{in}(\tau)dt[/tex]

I'm integrating with respect to time.

[tex] {\cal E}[/tex]is an operator in Heisenberg picture.

b^+ creates a photon in the temporal mode [tex]\phi(t)[/tex]

Does that make sense?
 
Sorry, it does not make sense to me. Perhaps someone else will be able to help.
 

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