Quantum theory of radiation

[wasi-uz-zaman]

Main Question or Discussion Point

hi , i am not getting how harmonic oscillator is linked to the modes of radiation field- as explain by Dirac in his quantum theory of radiation.

 

[jedishrfu]

I'm not sure what you're asking but I found this reference in Wikipedia about quantum harmonic oscillators

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_harmonic_oscillator

 

[atyy]

For the electromagnetic field, take a look at Eq 2.6 in http://www.thphys.uni-heidelberg.de/~duo/skripten/schmidt_QFT1.pdf.

That equation is analogous to the equation $[a,a\dagger]=1$ for the harmonic oscillator.

 

[bhobba]

hi , i am not getting how harmonic oscillator is linked to the modes of radiation field- as explain by Dirac in his quantum theory of radiation.

Get a hold of Quantum Field Theory for the Gifted Amateur:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/019969933X/?tag=pfamazon01-20

There are a number of different equivalent forms of QM. There is a form based on annihilation and creation operators, which is not that well known, that brings out this connection very clearly. The above reference explains it in detail.

Added Later

Check out:
http://math.bu.edu/people/mak/Styer Am J Phys 2002.pdf

See formulation 7

Thanks
Bill