(a) For a functionf(ϕ)that can be expanded in a Taylor series, show that f(ϕ+φ)=eiLzφ/f(ϕ) (where is an arbitrary angle). For this reason, Lz/ is called the generator of rotations about the Z-axis. Hint: Use Equation 4.129 , and refer Problem 3.39.More generally, L·n^/ is the generator of rotations about the direction n^, in the sense that exp(iL·n^φ/)effects a rotation through angleφ (in the right-hand sense) about the axis n^ . In the case of spin, the generator of rotations is S·n^/. In particular, for spin 1/2 χ'=ei(σ·n^)φ/2χtells us how spinors rotate.

(b) Construct the (2×2)matrix representing rotation by 180about the X-axis, and show that it converts "spin up" χ+into "spin down"χ- , as you would expect.

(c) Construct the matrix representing rotation by 90about the Y-axis, and check what it does to

χ+

(d) Construct the matrix representing rotation by 360about the -Zaxis, If the answer is not quite what you expected, discuss its implications.

(e) Show thatei(σ·n^)φ/2=cos(φ/2)+i(n^·σ)sin(φ/2)

Short Answer

Expert verified

a) Spinor rotate ineuμψhf(ϕ).

b) The matrix converts the spin-up into a spin-down with a factor i .

c) The spin-up alonghas become spin-down along x .

d) Rotating the spinor360degrees alters the sign of the spinor.

e) It is proved that ei(σ·n^)φ/2=cos(φ/2)+i(n^·σ)sin(φ/2).

Step by step solution

01

Definition ofTaylor series.

A function's Taylor series is an infinite sum of terms expressed in terms of the function's derivatives at a single point. For most ordinary functions, the function and the sum of its Taylor series are identical around this point.

02

The rotation of spiner.

(a)

A function of Taylor series expansion about is given by ,

fx+x0=n=01n!x0nddxnf(x)f(ϕ+ψ)=n=01n!ψnddϕnf(ϕ)

Using, Lz=iddϕ

And ddϕ=iLz

f(ϕ+ψ)=n=01n!ψniLznf(ϕ)=n=01n!iLzψnf(ϕ)

Known that ex=n=0xnn!

f(ϕ+ψ)=euμψhf(ϕ)

03

Construct the (2×2) matrix representing rotation by  180∘ about the x axis, and conversion of "spin up" χ+  into "spin down" χ-.

(b)

If M is a matrix, such thatM2=1, then

eiMϕ=1+iMϕ+(iMϕ)22!+(iMϕ)33!+=1+iMϕ-M2ϕ22!-iM3ϕ33!+=1+iMϕ-12ϕ2-iMϕ33!+.M2=1=1-12ϕ2+14!ϕ4-.+iMϕ-ϕ33!+ϕ55!+.=cosϕ+iMsinϕ

represents the rotation through an angle ϕRotation,

R=eiσxπ2=cosπ2+iσxsinπ2=iσx=i0110

Such that,

Rχ+=i011010=i0i=iχ-

Therefore, the matrix converts the spin-up into a spin-down with a factor i .

04

Construct the matrix representing rotation by  90∘about the  Y-axis, and check what it does to χ+ . 

(c)

Here,

R=ei0yπ4=cosπ4+iσysinπ4=12+i2σy=121001+i0-ii0=1211-11

And

Rχ+=1211-1110=121-1=12χ+-χ-=χ-(x)

The spin-up along z has become spin-down alongx'.

05

Step 5:Construct the matrix representing rotation by  360∘about the  Z -axis, If the answer is not quite what you expected.

(d)

Here,

R=eiσ,2π2=eiσzπ=cosπ+iσzsinπ=-1

As a result, rotating the spinor360degrees alters the sign of the spinor.

It doesn't matter, though, because the sign of χis arbitrary.

06

Step 6:Show that  ei(σ·n^)φ/2=cos(φ/2)+i(n^·σ)sin(φ/2) 

(e)

Let’s consider that

(σ·n^)2=σxnx+σyny+σznz2=σxnx+σyny+σznzσxnx+σyny+σznz=σx2nx2+σy2ny2+σz2nz2+nxnyσxσy+σyσx+nynzσyσz+σzσy+nznxσxσz+σzσx

However, sinceσx2=σy2=σz2=1

Also,σx,σy and σzare anti-commuting with each other

σxσy+σyσx=σyσz+σzσy=σzσx+σxσz=0(σ·n^)2=nx2+ny2+nz2=n^2=1(σ·n^)=1e(σ·n)ϕ2=eiϕ2=cosϕ2+i(σ·n^)sinϕ2

Thus, it is proved that ei(σ·n^)φ/2=cos(φ/2)+i(n^·σ)sin(φ/2).

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

The fundamental commutation relations for angular momentum (Equation 4.99) allow for half-integer (as well as integer) eigenvalues. But for orbital angular momentum only the integer values occur. There must be some extra constraint in the specific formL=r×p that excludes half-integer values. Let be some convenient constant with the dimensions of length (the Bohr radius, say, if we're talking about hydrogen), and define the operators

q112[x+a2/ħpy];p112[px-(ħ/a2)y];q212[x-(a2/ħ)py];p212[px-(ħ/a2)y];

(a) Verify that [q1,q2]=[p1,p2]=0;[q1,p1]=[p2,q2]=iħ. Thus the q's and the p's satisfy the canonical commutation relations for position and momentum, and those of index 1are compatible with those of index 2 .

(b) Show that[q1,q2]=[p1,p2]Lz=ħ2a2(q12-q22)+a22ħ(p12-p22)

(c) Check that , where each is the Hamiltonian for a harmonic oscillator with mass and frequency .

(d) We know that the eigenvalues of the harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian are , where (In the algebraic theory of Section this follows from the form of the Hamiltonian and the canonical commutation relations). Use this to conclude that the eigenvalues of must be integers.

a) Check that the spin matrices (Equations 4.145 and 4.147) obey the fundamental commutation relations for angular momentum, Equation 4.134.

Sz=h2(100-1)(4.145).Sx=h2(0110),sy=h2(0-ii0)(4.147).[Sx,Sy]=ihSz,[Sy,Sz]=ihSx,[Sz,Sx]=ihSy(4.134).(b)ShowthatthePaulispinmatrices(Equation4.148)satisfytheproductruleσx(0110),σy(0-ii0),σz(100-1)(4.148).σjσk=δjk+io'IjklσI,(4.153).

Wheretheindicesstandforx,y,orz,ando'jklistheLevi-Civitasymbol:+1ifjkl=123,231,or2=312;-1ifjkl=132,213,or321;otherwise.

(a) Use the recursion formula (Equation 4.76) to confirm that whenI=n-1 the radial wave function takes the form

Rn(n-1)=Nnrn-1e-r/na and determine the normalization constant by direct integration.

(b) Calculate 200a and <r2> for states of the form ψn(n-1)m·

(c) Show that the "uncertainty" in r(δr) is<r>/2n+1for such states. Note that the fractional spread in decreases, with increasing (in this sense the system "begins to look classical," with identifiable circular "orbits," for large ). Sketch the radial wave functions for several values of, to illustrate this point.

(a) Prove the three-dimensional virial theorem

2T=rV

(for stationary states). Hint: Refer to problem 3.31,

(b) Apply the virial theorem to the case of hydrogen, and show that

T=-En;V=2En

(c) Apply the virial theorem to the three-dimensional harmonic oscillator and show that in this case

T=V=En/2

(a)Derive Equation 4.131 from Equation 4.130. Hint: Use a test function; otherwise you're likely to drop some terms.

(b)Derive Equation 4.132 from Equations 4.129 and 4.131 .Hint : Use Equation 4.112.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free