Time independant perturbation - Difficulty understanding derivation

In summary: So ##\lambda^* = \lambda##.Yes, your calculations are correct. You can simplify the last expression further by using the fact that ##\langle n \mid m \rangle = \delta_{nm}##, the Kronecker delta, which is equal to 1 if ##n = m## and 0 otherwise. So the expression simplifies to,$$1 = \langle 0 \mid 0 \rangle + \lambda \langle 1 \mid 1 \rangle + \lambda^2 \langle 2 \mid 2 \rangle + \dots + \lambda^q \langle q \mid q \rangle$$which is essentially equating the coefficients of the different powers of lambda on
  • #1
omoplata
327
2
Hamiltonian is in the form ##H = H_0 + \lambda W##, where ##\lambda \ll 1## and ##W## is the perturbation. Assume the eigenstates ##\mid \psi(\lambda) \rangle## and engenenergies ##E(\lambda)## can be expanded in a power series of ##\lambda##.
$$\mid \phi(\lambda) \rangle = \mid 0 \rangle + \lambda \mid 1 \rangle + \dots + \lambda^q \mid q \rangle$$
$$ E(\lambda) = \epsilon_0 + \lambda \epsilon_1 + \dots + \lambda^q \epsilon_q $$
Substituting into the Schrodinger equation,
$$(H_0 + \lambda W) \left[ \sum_{q=0}^\infty \lambda^q \mid q \rangle \right] = \left[ \sum_{r=0}^\infty \lambda^r \epsilon_r \right] \left[ \sum_{s=0}^\infty \lambda^s \mid s \rangle \right]$$
By equating coefficients of successive powers of ##\lambda##,
$$ H_0 \mid 0 \rangle = \epsilon_0 \mid 0 \rangle $$
$$ (H_0 - \epsilon_0 ) \mid 1 \rangle + ( W - \epsilon_1 ) \mid 0 \rangle = 0 $$
$$ (H_0 - \epsilon_0 ) \mid 2 \rangle + ( W - \epsilon_1 ) \mid 1 \rangle - \epsilon_2 \mid 0 \rangle = 0$$
For the nth order,
$$ (H_0 - \epsilon_0) \mid n \rangle + (W - \epsilon_1) \mid n-1 \rangle - \epsilon_2 \mid n-2 \rangle + \dots - \epsilon_n \mid 0 \rangle = 0$$
The next part is what I don't understand. The following is what it says.

Note that we are free to choose the norm and the phase of ##\mid \psi ( \lambda ) \rangle ##, so we require that ##\mid \psi ( \lambda ) \rangle ## is normalized and that its phase is such that the inner product ##\langle 0 \mid \psi (\lambda) \rangle## is a real number. This implies that,
$$\langle 0 \mid 0 \rangle = 1$$
$$\langle 0 \mid 1 \rangle = \langle 1 \mid 0 \rangle = 0$$
$$\langle 0 \mid 2 \rangle = \langle 2 \mid 0 \rangle = -\frac{1}{2} \langle 1 \mid 1 \rangle$$
For the nth order we obtain,
$$\langle 0 \mid n \rangle = \langle n \mid 0 \rangle = -\frac{1}{2} \left( \langle n-1 \mid 1 \rangle + \langle n-2 \mid 2 \rangle + \dots + \langle 2 \mid n-2 \rangle + \langle 1 \mid n-1 \rangle \right)$$
How is this obtained?
 
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  • #2
Take the form you have, |φ(λ)> = |0> + λ|1> + ... Write out <φ(λ)|φ(λ)> = <0|0> + ... Set it equal to 1, and equate powers of λ. The λ0 term gives you 1 = <0|0>, the λ1 term gives you 0 = <0|1> + <1|0>, and so on.
 
  • #3
Got it. Thanks.
 
  • #4
OK. I still don't get it.

What does "We require ... its phase is such that the inner product ##\langle 0 \mid \psi \rangle## is a real number." mean? Why does ##\langle 0 \mid \psi \rangle## need to be a real number?

Also,
$$\langle \psi (\lambda) \mid = \langle 0 \mid + \lambda^* \langle 1 \mid + (\lambda^*)^2 \langle 2 \mid + \dots + (\lambda^*)^q \langle q \mid$$, right?

Then,
$$
\begin{eqnarray}
\langle \psi (\lambda) \mid \psi (\lambda) \rangle = 1 & = & \langle 0 \mid 0 \rangle + \lambda \langle 0 \mid 1 \rangle + \lambda^2 \langle 0 \mid 2 \rangle + \dots + \lambda^q \langle 0 \mid q \rangle\\
& & + \lambda^* \langle 1 \mid 0 \rangle + \lambda^* \lambda \langle 1 \mid 1 \rangle + \lambda^* \lambda^2 \langle 1 \mid 2 \rangle + \dots + \lambda^* \lambda^q \langle 1 \mid q \rangle\\
& & \vdots\\
& & + (\lambda^*)^q \langle q \mid 0 \rangle + (\lambda^*)^q \lambda \langle q \mid 1 \rangle + (\lambda^*)^q \lambda^2 \langle q \mid 2 \rangle + \dots + (\lambda^*)^q \lambda^q \langle q \mid q \rangle\\
\end{eqnarray}
$$
Is this correct? If it is, what do I do with all these ##\lambda^*##s?
 
  • #5
I would assume that ##\lambda## is real; after all it is a dummy parameter that characterises the strength of the perturbation. In most calculations, ##\lambda## is set to 1 at the end - it is mainly used for keeping track of the orders only.
 

1. What is time independent perturbation theory?

Time independent perturbation theory is a mathematical technique used to solve the Schrödinger equation for a quantum mechanical system that has been perturbed, or disturbed, by an external potential. It allows us to calculate the energy levels and wavefunctions of the system after the perturbation has been applied.

2. How does time independent perturbation theory differ from time dependent perturbation theory?

Time independent perturbation theory deals with systems that are in a stationary state, meaning that the external potential does not change over time. Time dependent perturbation theory, on the other hand, is used for systems that are not in a stationary state and the external potential changes over time.

3. What is the derivation of time independent perturbation theory?

The derivation of time independent perturbation theory involves expanding the wavefunction and energy of the perturbed system in terms of the unperturbed system's wavefunctions and energies. This allows us to solve for the corrections to the unperturbed energy levels and wavefunctions caused by the external potential.

4. What is the significance of the first-order correction in time independent perturbation theory?

The first-order correction in time independent perturbation theory is the most important term, as it represents the main effect of the external potential on the system. Higher order corrections are typically smaller and have less of an impact on the system's properties.

5. What are the limitations of time independent perturbation theory?

Time independent perturbation theory is limited to small perturbations and assumes that the perturbed system remains in a stationary state. It also does not account for interactions between particles, making it less accurate for systems with strong interactions.

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