Time dependent expectation value problems

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BREAD
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Homework Statement


Problem text: spin 1/2 particle in field B = B0 x-hat, Hamiltonian H = -(e/m_e) S·B, initial state |S_z = +hbar/2> at t=0; parts (a) and (b) ask for expectation values of S_z measurements at times T2 and after a measurement at T1.


Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried to solve (a), but i don't know which approach is right ((1) or (2)) and how to solve (b).[/B]
Handwritten derivation of a spin measurement: |+> evolves under T2 to e^(-iET2/hbar)|+>, then S2 state 1/sqrt2(|+>+|->) gives probability |1/sqrt2(...)|^2 = 1/2, and the result +hbar/2 times 1/2 equals hbar/4.
 
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  • Handwritten derivation for part (a): e^(-i E T2/hbar) applied to |+>, a bra-ket expectation with S_z(+/-) giving a column matrix of hbar/2 entries, then the S_x state (1/sqrt2)(|+> + |->) yielding probability 1/2, and a final value of hbar/4.
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You don't start the problem correctly. The ##|S_z = + \hbar/2 \rangle## state is not an eigenstate of the Hamiltonian, so after a time ##T_2##, the state of the system is not ##e^{-i E T_2 / \hbar} |S_z = + \hbar/2 \rangle##.
 
DrClaude said:
You don't start the problem correctly. The ##|S_z = + \hbar/2 \rangle## state is not an eigenstate of the Hamiltonian, so after a time ##T_2##, the state of the system is not ##e^{-i E T_2 / \hbar} |S_z = + \hbar/2 \rangle##.

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H=-(e/mc)S * B , Sz and H differ just by a multiplicative constant, so they commute. The Sz eigenstates are also energy eigenstates.
(* I tried to solve it Sz not Sx by mistake)
 
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BREAD said:
H=-(e/mc)S * B , Sz and H differ just by a multiplicative constant, so they commute. The Sz eigenstates are also energy eigenstates.
In which direction is the magnetic field?
 
DrClaude said:
In which direction is the magnetic field?
In the problem, megnetic field is Bx direction.
 
BREAD said:
In the problem, megnetic field is Bx direction.
So how can you rewrite ##\mathbf{S} \cdot \mathbf{B}##?
 
DrClaude said:
So how can you rewrite ##\mathbf{S} \cdot \mathbf{B}##?
Sx * B
 
So no commuting with ##{\bf S}_z## !
 
Then how can i solve this problem. i would appreciate it if you can help me
 
You have to express the initial state in terms of the eigenstates of the Hamiltonian.
 
DrClaude said:
You have to express the initial state in terms of the eigenstates of the Hamiltonian.
Handwritten notes on spin physics: H = -(e/mc) SxB, Sx eigenvalues ±ħ/2 with eigenstates (1/√2)(1,1) and (1/√2)(1,-1), H eigenvalues ∓Bħe/2mc, initial state |Sz=+ħ/2> = |+>, and the Sx(H) eigenstates (1/√2)(|+>+|->) and (1/√2)(|+>-|->).


I think it is not. Sx and H have same eigenstates, so the initial state l+> is lSx+> + lSx->
 
BREAD said:
Sx and H have same eigenstates, so the initial state l+> is lSx+> + lSx->
Don't forget the normalization factor.

But now that the state is expressed in terms of the eigenstates of the Hamiltonian, it should be easy to calculate the time evolution.
 
DrClaude said:
Don't forget the normalization factor.

But now that the state is expressed in terms of the eigenstates of the Hamiltonian, it should be easy to calculate the time evolution.
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I think the answer is weird. These are the probability for Sz + , and 1-cos(T2/h)(E1-E2) for Sz -
So, the expectation value h/2(1+cos(T2/h)(E1-E2)) and -h/2(1-cos(T2/h)(E1-E2)) respectively
 
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BREAD said:
I think the answer is weird
Why? This is a very standard problem in QM and illustrates nicely the concept of precession.
 
DrClaude said:
Why? This is a very standard problem in QM and illustrates nicely the concept of precession.
I replied the answer that i tried
 
BREAD said:
I replied the answer that i tried
Ok, I had replied before you posted the solution.

There is a problem, as you can clearly see that the prbability you get ranges from 0 to 2. Check again how you calculate the absolute value squared.
 
DrClaude said:
Ok, I had replied before you posted the solution.

There is a problem, as you can clearly see that the prbability you get ranges from 0 to 2. Check again how you calculate the absolute value squared.
I got it, then how can i approach problem(b) i think the result of first measurement is same with (a)
 
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BREAD said:
I got it, then how can i approach problem(b) i think the result of first measurement is same with (a)
The probability of measuring Sz = +ħ/2 is indeed given by the same equation, replacing T2 by T1. But you already know the measurement result, so you need to figure out what you get at T2.

By the way, you can simplify the result you get using explicit values for E1 and E2.
 
DrClaude said:
The probability of measuring Sz = +ħ/2 is indeed given by the same equation, replacing T2 by T1. But you already know the measurement result, so you need to figure out what you get at T2.

By the way, you can simplify the result you get using explicit values for E1 and E2.

Result of first measurement at T1 is the same with (a). I should have to get a probability of that state before i get a expectation value as i did in (a).
I think total result probability is probability(T1) * probability(T2)
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Answer is quite complex, is it right??