Relation between HO and this hamiltonian

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between the simple harmonic oscillator (SHO) and a more complex Hamiltonian, specifically H = hw1a+a + hw2a+a + aa. The participant expresses confusion regarding the use of annihilation (a) and creation (a+) operators derived from the SHO to calculate the energies of this new Hamiltonian. It is established that this new Hamiltonian operates within the same Hilbert space as the SHO, allowing for the computation of its eigenvalues using the known actions of the operators on the energy eigenstates of the SHO.

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  • Understanding of annihilation and creation operators in quantum mechanics
  • Familiarity with the Hamiltonian operator and its role in quantum systems
  • Knowledge of Hilbert spaces and their significance in quantum mechanics
  • Basic principles of energy eigenstates in the context of quantum harmonic oscillators
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Students and researchers in quantum mechanics, particularly those focusing on harmonic oscillators and operator theory, will benefit from this discussion.

Matiasss
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hi,
i have studied the annihilation and creation operators and number operator N in relation with the simple harmonic oscillator that is governed by:
H = hw(N+1/2)

i don't understand the relation between the harmonic oscillator and for example, this hamiltonian:

H = hw1a+a+hw2a+a+aa

that i have found it in an example in the lecture notes of a course. they calculate the energies of this system. They use the annihilation operator that is defined from the simple HO to solve that system.
what is physically this system? why i can use the SHO to calculate the energies?
i feel that i am confused with the a operator . i thought that it was defined from the hamiltonian of the simple harmonic oscillator ,,,, isn't it ?

thanks in advance
 
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Formally, this new Hamiltonian is only an operator on the same Hilbert space as that used for the harmonic oscillator and expressed in terms of the operators ##a## and ##a^\dagger##, which have a known action on the energy eigenstates of the harmonic oscillator. You can therefore simply treat it as a (hermitian) operator on that Hilbert space and compute its eigenvalues.
 
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