Uncertainty Principle and Operator Algebra

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Homework Statement

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle can be derived by operator algebra , as follows. Consider a one-dimensional system, with position and momentum observables x and p. The goal is to find the minimum possible uncertainties in the predicted values of the position and momentum in any state [tex]|\varphi>[/tex] of the system. We need the following preliminaries.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



a) Suppose the self-adjoint observables q and r satisfy the commutation relation

[r,q]=iq, where c is a constant(not an operator). Show c is real.

should I take the self-adjoint of [r,q], i.e.[tex][r,q]^{\dagger}[/tex] ?

b) Let the system have the normalized state vector [tex]|\varphi>[/tex] and define the ket vector

[tex]|\phi>=(\alpha*r+iq)|\varphi>[/tex] where [tex]\alpha[/tex] is a real constant(again, a number , not an operator). used equations [tex]<\phi|\phi> >=0[/tex] and [r,q]=ic to show that

[tex]\alpha^2<r^2>-\alpha*c+<q^2>>=0[/tex], where [tex]<r^2>=<\varphi|r^2|\varphi>[/tex] and [tex]q^2[/tex]

Should I begin by finding [tex]<\phi|\phi>[/tex]?

Since, [tex]|\phi>=(\alpha*r+iq)|\varphi>[/tex] would that mean [tex]<\phi|=<|\varphi(\alpha*r-iq)[/tex]

c) By seeking the value of [tex]\alpha[/tex] that minimizes the left side of the equation [tex]\alpha^2<r^2>-\alpha*c+<q^2>>=0[/tex], show

[tex]<r^2><q^2>=c^2/4[/tex]

should I multiply the expectation value [tex]<r^2>[/tex] to the equation [tex]\alpha^2<r^2> -\alpha*c+<q^2>>=0[/tex]
 
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