Reducing angular Schrodinger equation to eigenvalue problem

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on reducing the angular part of the Schrödinger equation for a positron in an electric dipole field to a matrix eigenvalue problem. The equation is expressed in spherical polar coordinates and involves spherical harmonics. By substituting the ansatz \( Y = Y_m (\vartheta,\varphi) = \sum_{l'=|m|}^{\infty} C_{l'} Y_{l'm}(\vartheta,\varphi) \) into the equation, the problem is transformed into the form \( \sum_{l'=|m|}^{\infty} A_{ll'}C_{l'} = \lambda C_{l} \). The solution requires careful manipulation of terms, particularly addressing the extra term of \(-l(l+1)\) on the right-hand side.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the angular Schrödinger equation
  • Familiarity with spherical harmonics and their properties
  • Knowledge of matrix eigenvalue problems
  • Proficiency in calculus, particularly integration over spherical coordinates
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of spherical harmonics in quantum mechanics
  • Learn about matrix representations of differential equations
  • Explore the use of Wigner 3j symbols in quantum mechanics
  • Investigate techniques for solving eigenvalue problems in quantum systems
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, particularly those specializing in quantum mechanics, students tackling advanced quantum mechanics problems, and researchers focusing on eigenvalue problems in quantum systems.

perishingtardi
Messages
21
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


The angular part of the Schrödinger equation for a positron in the field of an electric dipole moment {\bf d}=d{\bf \hat{k}} is, in spherical polar coordinates (r,\vartheta,\varphi),
\frac{1}{\sin\vartheta}\frac{\partial}{\partial\vartheta} \left( \sin\vartheta\frac{\partial Y}{\partial\vartheta} \right) + \frac{1}{\sin^2 \vartheta}\frac{\partial^2 Y}{\partial\varphi^2} - 2dY\cos\vartheta + \lambda Y=0.
By considering the ansatz Y=Y_m (\vartheta,\varphi) = \sum_{l'=|m|}^{\infty} C_{l'} Y_{l'm}(\vartheta,\varphi),
where Y_{l'm} are spherical harmonics, show that the problem of finding \lambda reduces to a matrix eigenvalue problem of the form \sum_{l'=|m|}^{\infty} A_{ll'}C_{l'} = \lambda C_{l}.

Homework Equations


\frac{1}{\sin\vartheta}\frac{\partial}{\partial\vartheta} \left( \sin\vartheta\frac{\partial Y_{l'm}}{\partial\vartheta} \right) + \frac{1}{\sin^2 \vartheta}\frac{\partial^2 Y_{l'm}}{\partial\varphi^2} = -l'(l'+1)Y_{l'm}
\int_0^{2\pi}\int_0^\pi Y_{lm}^* Y_{l'm} \sin\vartheta\,d\vartheta\,d\varphi = \delta_{ll'}
Y_{lm}^* = (-1)^m Y_{l,-m}
\int_0^{2\pi}\int_0^\pi Y_{l_1 m_1}Y_{l_2 m_2}Y_{l_3 m_3} \sin\vartheta \, d\vartheta \, d\varphi = \sqrt{\frac{(2l_1 +1)(2l_2 + 1)(2l_3 + 1)}{4\pi}}\begin{pmatrix}l_1&l_2&l_3\\ 0&0&0\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}l_1&l_2&l_3\\ m_1&m_2&m_3\end{pmatrix} where the arrays in parentheses are Wigner 3jm symbols.
\cos\vartheta = \sqrt{\frac{4\pi}{3}}Y_{10}

The Attempt at a Solution



By inserting the ansatz into the angular Schrödinger equation and using the first of the 'relevant equations' I got
\sum_{l'} C_{l'} \{ -l'(l'+1)Y_{l'm} - 2d\cos\vartheta\,Y_{l'm} + \lambda Y_{l'm} \}=0.
Then by multiplying through by Y_{lm}^* and integrating over the unit sphere and using the other equations given, I got (after some manipulation)
2d(-1)^m \sum_{l'=|m|}^{\infty} \sqrt{(2l+1)(2l'+1)} \begin{pmatrix}1&l&l'\\0&0&0\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}1&l&l'\\0&-m&m\end{pmatrix}C_{l'} = [\lambda - l(l+1)]C_l.
This is almost in the form required, I think, except that there is an extra term of -l(l+1) on the RHS, which I don't know how to get rid of. Any help would be very much appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
perishingtardi said:
This is almost in the form required, I think, except that there is an extra term of -l(l+1) on the RHS, which I don't know how to get rid of. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Just move it to the LHS in the form of a diagonal term (you can use ##\delta_{l,l'}## if you want to put it in the sum).
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
0
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
2K