(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).

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Determine the commutator of S2withSZ(1)(whereSS(1)+S(2)) Generalize your result to show that

[S2,S1]=2Ih(S1×S2)

Comment: Because Sz(1)does not commute with S2, we cannot hope to find states that are simultaneous eigenvectors of both. In order to form eigenstates ofS2weneed linear combinations of eigenstates ofSz(1). This is precisely what the Clebsch-Gordan coefficients (in Equation 4.185) do for us, On the other hand, it follows by obvious inference from Equation 4.187that the sumrole="math" localid="1655980965321" S(1)+S(2)does commute withdata-custom-editor="chemistry" S2, which is a special case of something we already knew (see Equation 4.103).

The (time-independent) momentum space wave function in three dimensions is defined by the natural generalization of Equation 3.54:

Φ(p,t)=12πhe-ipx/hψ(x,t)dx(3.54).ϕ(p)1(2πh)3/2e-i(p.r)Ihψ(r)d3r.(4.223).

(a)Find the momentum space wave function for the ground state of hydrogen (Equation 4.80). Hint: Use spherical coordinates, setting the polar axis along the direction of p. Do the θ integral first. Answer:

ψ100(r,θ,ϕ)=1πa3e-r/a(4.80).ϕ(p)=1π(2ah)3/21[1+ap/h2]2.(4.224).

(b) Check that Φ(p)is normalized.

(c) Use Φ(p)to calculate <p2>, in the ground state of hydrogen.

(d) What is the expectation value of the kinetic energy in this state? Express your answer as a multiple of E1, and check that it is consistent with the virial theorem (Equation 4.218).

<T>=-En;<V>=2En(4.218).

A hydrogenic atom consists of a single electron orbiting a nucleus with Z protons. (Z=1 would be hydrogen itself,Z=2is ionized helium ,Z=3is doubly ionized lithium, and so on.) Determine the Bohr energies En(Z), the binding energyE1(Z), the Bohr radiusa(Z), and the Rydberg constant R(Z)for a hydrogenic atom. (Express your answers as appropriate multiples of the hydrogen values.) Where in the electromagnetic spectrum would the Lyman series fall, for Z=2and Z=3? Hint: There’s nothing much to calculate here— in the potential (Equation 4.52) Ze2, so all you have to do is make the same substitution in all the final results.

V(r)=-e24πo0˙1r (4.52).

The electron in a hydrogen atom occupies the combined spin and position stateR211/3Y10χ++2/3Y11χ-

(a) If you measured the orbital angular momentum squared L2, what values might you get, and what is the probability of each?

(b) Same for the component of orbital angular momentum Lz.

(c) Same for the spin angular momentum squaredS2 .

(d) Same for the component of spin angular momentum Sz.

Let JL+Sbe the total angular momentum.

(e) If you measureddata-custom-editor="chemistry" J2 , what values might you get, and what is the probability of each?

(f) Same forJz .

(g) If you measured the position of the particle, what is the probability density for finding it atr , θ,ϕ ?

(h) If you measured both the component of the spin and the distance from the origin (note that these are compatible observables), what is the probability density for finding the particle with spin up and at radius ?

[Refer to. Problem 4.59for background.] Suppose A=B02(X^-yI^) andφ=Kz2, where B0 and Kare constants.

(a) Find the fields E and B.

(b) Find the allowed energies, for a particle of mass m and charge q , in these fields, Answer: E(n1,n2)=(n1+12)ħω1+(n2+12)ħω2,(n1,n2=0,1,2,...)whereω1qB0/mandω22qK/m. Comment: If K=0this is the quantum analog to cyclotron motion;ω1 is the classical cyclotron frequency, and it's a free particle in the z direction. The allowed energies,(n1+12)ħω1, are called Landau Levels.

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