# Wave mechanics : operator problem

1. Sep 20, 2009

### noblegas

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Two operators , A and B , satisfy the equations

$$A=B^{\dagger}B+3 and A= BB^{\dagger}+1$$

a)Show that A is self adjoint
b)Find the commutator of $$[B^{\dagger},B]$$
c) Find the commutator of $$[B,B^{\dagger}]$$
d) Suppose $$\varphi$$ is an eigenfunction of A with eigenvalue a:

A$$\varphi$$=a$$\varphi$$

show that if B$$\varphi$$ =/ 0 then B$$\varphi$$ is an eigenfunction of A , and find the eigenvalue.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

I've only worked on the first part of the problem. I will address the remaining 3 parts later.

$$(A)^{\dagger}=(B^{\dagger}B+3)^{\dagger}=B^{\dagger}(B^{\dagger})^{\dagger}+(3)^{\dagger}=B^{\dagger}B+(3)^{\dagger}$$. 3 is not an operator so I don't think you can take the adjoint of it.

Last edited: Sep 20, 2009
2. Sep 20, 2009

### tiny-tim

Hi noblegas!

(LaTeX doesn't take any notice of spaces unless you put them inside \text{} )

I assume they mean 3 times the identity, I.

3. Sep 20, 2009

### noblegas

okak then $$B^{\dagger}B+(3I)^{\dagger}=B^{\dagger}B+3*I^{\dagger}=B^{\dagger}B+3*I=$$

Therefore $$A^{\dagger}=A$$? Now proceeding to the next two parts of the problem;

b) $$[B,B^{\dagger}]=BB^{\dagger}-B^{\dagger}B$$

$$BB^{\dagger}=A-1, B^{\dagger}B=A-3$$, therefore

$$[B,B^{\dagger}]=BB^{\dagger}-B^{\dagger}B=A-1-(A-3)=A-1*I-(A-3*I)=2I$$

c)$$[A,B]=AB-BA=(BB^{\dagger}+1)B-B(BB^{\dagger}+1)=BB^{\dagger}B+B-BBB^{\dagger}-B=BB^{\dagger}B-BBB^{\dagger}=B(BB^{\dagger}-BB^{\dagger})=B(2I)=2BI$$

4. Sep 21, 2009

### tiny-tim

You seem to have changed the questions

but it looks ok

5. Sep 21, 2009

### noblegas

what do you mean? I was writing out my solutions for part b and c of my question; how should I start part d of the problem? Should I start by assuming that $$A * \varphi=a*\varphi=>A*\varphi-a*\varphi=0$$? See my OP

Last edited: Sep 21, 2009
6. Sep 21, 2009

### tiny-tim

Hi noblegas!

(have a phi: φ and a dagger: † )
I meant …
For d), remember that when the examiner sets you a series of questions, the last one usually comes very easily from the preceding ones …

in this case, just use c)

7. Sep 21, 2009

### noblegas

oh I see then . $$[B^{\dagger},B]=-2*I, and [A,B]=-2BI$$ correct?

8. Sep 22, 2009

### noblegas

did you not understand my latest solution

9. Sep 22, 2009

### tiny-tim

Yes, that looks ok (except that you needn't write -2BI, you can just write it as -2B).

10. Sep 23, 2009

### noblegas

stuck on part d again: AB-BA=-2BI, ARe they saying $$B\varphi$$=> 2BI $$\neq$$ 0

Last edited: Sep 23, 2009
11. Sep 24, 2009

### tiny-tim

(what happened to that φ i gave you? )

Sorry, I don't understand what you're asking.

An eigenvector cannot be zero.

d) says that if Aφ = aφ, and if Bφ ≠ 0, then A(Bφ) is a scalar multiple of Bφ …

prove it using c).​