Spin Hamiltonian of a hydrogen atom in a magnetic field

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on evaluating the expression ##\langle 1 |\omega_0 \hat S_{1z }|1\rangle## related to the spin Hamiltonian of a hydrogen atom in a magnetic field. It clarifies the notation, particularly the distinction between the state ##|1\rangle##, which represents the electron-proton system, and the operator ##\hat S_{1z}##, which specifically acts on the electron's spin. The operator's action on the proton is represented as the identity operator ##\mathbb{I}_2##, emphasizing the need for clarity in multi-particle systems. The proper formulation of the Hamiltonian includes the direct product of operators, which is often simplified for convenience.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics notation, specifically state vectors and operators.
  • Familiarity with spin operators, particularly ##\hat S_{1z}## for electron spins.
  • Knowledge of direct product notation in quantum mechanics, such as ##\otimes##.
  • Basic concepts of hydrogen atom structure and electron-proton interactions in magnetic fields.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of spin Hamiltonians in quantum mechanics.
  • Learn about the mathematical representation of multi-particle systems in quantum mechanics.
  • Explore the derivation and applications of the identity operator ##\mathbb{I}_2## in quantum systems.
  • Investigate the effects of magnetic fields on hydrogen atom energy levels and spin states.
USEFUL FOR

Quantum physicists, students studying quantum mechanics, and researchers focusing on atomic physics and magnetic interactions in quantum systems.

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Homework Statement
5.1 of the first picture is the homework statement and the second is the solution. So my question is in the solution, how did they compute <1|w_0S_z|1>?
Relevant Equations
The book uses Dirac notation for matrix computation but this homework is not for a class and is strictly for recreation so feel free to solve it using the mathematical methods you feel comfortable with.
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Can you give us some indication of why you are having trouble evaluating ##\langle 1 |\omega_0 \hat S_{1z }|1\rangle##? If you have made an attempt, please show us what you have done so we can tell where you are having difficulty. If you cannot get started with an attempt, then it is likely that you are having trouble with the notation. For example, are you clear on the meaning of the state ##|1 \rangle##? Can you describe the spins of the electron and the proton in this state?

One possible source of confusion is with the notation of the operator ##\hat S_{1z }## . The subscript 1 denotes the electron. But the ##1## in the state ##|1\rangle## denotes a particular state of the electron-proton system. When ##\hat S_{1z }## acts on the state ##|1 \rangle##, the operator ##\hat S_{1z }## acts only on the electron part of the state ##|1\rangle##. It is understood that this operator does not act on the proton. Or, in other words, the operator ##\hat S_{1z }## acts as the identity operator ##\mathbb { I}_2## when acting on the proton part of the state. The subscript 2 here refers to the proton. The proper way to write the second term of the Hamiltonian would be as a direct product of operators: ##\hat S_{1z } \otimes \mathbb {I}_2 ##. But for convenience, the ##\otimes \mathbb {I}_2## part is not written and is assumed to be understood.

Thus, consider a state ##|\Psi \rangle = |\alpha_1 \rangle |\beta_2 \rangle## in which the electron is in some spin state ##|\alpha_1 \rangle## while the proton is in spin state ##|\beta_2 \rangle##. Then $$\langle \Psi|\hat S_{1z}|\Psi \rangle = \langle \beta_2|\langle \alpha_1|\hat S_{1z }\otimes \mathbb {I}_2|\alpha_1 \rangle |\beta_2 \rangle = \langle \alpha_1|\hat S_{1z }|\alpha_1\rangle \langle \beta_2|\mathbb {I}_2|\beta_2\rangle = \langle \alpha_1|\hat S_{1z }|\alpha_1\rangle \langle \beta_2|\beta_2\rangle$$When you get used to this, you will mentally go directly from the far left to the far right of this series of steps without having to write the intermediate steps.
 

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