PYL112: Quantum Mechanics: Problem Set 2

Physics Department, I I T Delhi

February 2, 2015
1. Recapitulation of the first year course: Consider the following infinite periodic potential by repeating the following sequence of poetntial
barrier
V (x) = 0, if 0 x a
= V0 , if a < x a + b
from to . Now using the above mentioned Bloch theorem show
that in the limit V0 and b 0 such that m(U~2) ab = P , a finite
quantity, the eigenvalues equation reduces to
P
sin Ka + cos Ka = cos ka
Ka
2

K
Here  = ~2m
and k is the Bloch wave vector defined in the previous
problem. Using the result of the above equation plot the energy  as
function of the dimensionless quantity ka and show the spectrum is
gapped.

Note: This is well known Kronig Penny model which essentially shows
how fobidden region appears in the enrgy band structure of a crystal lattice. The existence of this forbidden region that separates two
subsequent energy bands is the key to the understanding of electron
transport in a crystaline solid.
2. Let x(t) be the co-ordinate operator for a free particle in one dimension
in the Heisenberg picture. Evaluate the commutator [
x(t), x(0)].
1

3. Let |ai and |a00 i be the eigenstate of a Hermitian operator A with

eigenvalues a0 and a00 , respectively (a0 6= a00 ). The Hamiltonian operator
is given by
H = |a0 iha00 | + |aiha0 |
where is a real number.
(a) Clearly |a0 i and |a00 i are not eigenstates of the Hamiltonian. Write
down the eigenstates of the Hamiltonian. What are their energy eigenvalues?
(b) Suppose the system is known to be in the state |a0 i at t = 0. Write
down the state vectpr in the Schroodinger picture for t > 0.
(c) What is the probability for finding the system in |a00 i for t > 0 if
the system is known to be in state |a0 i at t = 0.
(d) Can you think of a physical situation corresponding to this problem? (Harder Problem).
4. A box containing a particle is divided into right and left compartment
by a thin partition. If the particle is known to be on the right ( left)
side with certainty, the state is represented by the position eigenket
|Ri(|Li), where we have neglected spatial variations within each half
of the box. The most general state vector can therefore be written as
|i = |RihR|i + |LihL|i
Where hR|h and hL|h are termed as wavefunction ( understad this
statement and be clear). The particle can tunnel through the partition;
this tunneling effect is characterized by the hamiltonian
H = (|LihR| + |RihL|)
wherfe is a real number with the dimension of energy.
a. Find the normalized energy eigenkets? What are the corresponding
energy eigenvalues?
b. In the Schorodinger picture the base kets |Ri and |Li are fixed, and
the state vector moves with time. Suppose the system is representaed
by |i as given above at time t = 0: Find the state vector |, t0 = 0; ti
for t > 0 by applying the appropriate time evolution operatror to |i.
c. Suppose at t = 0 the particle is on the right side with certainty.
What is the probability for observing the particle on the left side as a
function of time.?
2

5. Reading exercise. Charles Townes died on 27th January, 2015 at the

age of 99. Read his obituary at
http : //www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/updates/townes.cf m
He is Nobel Laureate and co-inventor of Laser. While sitting in a park
bench in Washinton he conceived the idea of maser ( the elder brother
of laser based on microwave). The basic theory of maser is beautifully
described using the Quantum Mechanics of two-level systems in the
chapter 9 of Vol. III of Feynman Lectures. Read this chapter and
understand. You will figure out that amount of quantum mechanics
that you have learned so far can already lead to practical application.
6. Consider a particle subject to an one-dimensional simple harmonic oscillator potential. Suppose at t = 0 the state vector is given by
ipa
)|0i
~
where p is the momentum operator and a is some number with the
dimension of length. Using the Heisenberg picture, evaluate the expectation value hxi at t 0.
|(t = 0)i = exp(

7. Using the uncertainty relation px

~2 , estimate the energy of the
2
ground state of the harmonic oscillator.
moves under the potential of a har8. A particle with energy E = ~
2
monic oscillator. Compute the probability that the particle is found in
classically forbidden region. Compare this result to the probability of
finding the particle in higher energy levels.
9. Consider a one dimensional oscillator in the n-th energy level. Compute
the expectation value hx2 i, hxi, hp2 i and hpi. What can you say about
the uncertainty product xp?
10. Find the eigenenergies and eigenfunctions for a particle moving under
poetential
m 2 x2
if x > 0
2
= if x 0

V (x) =

11. Compute the matrix elements hn|x2 |mi and hn|p2 |mi for the one-dimensionaql
harmonic oscillator.
3

12. An electron moves in the presence of a uniform magnetic field in the

z-direction B = B z. Evaluate
[x , y ]
Where

eAx
eAy
, y = py
c
c
. By comparing the Hamiltonian and the commutation relation obtained above with those of one dimensional harmonic oscillator problem
show how one can write immediately the energy eigenvalue as
x = px

Ek,n =

1
~2 k 2 ~|eB|
+
(n + )
2m
mc
2

Here k is the continuous eigenvalue of the pz opertaor and n is a non

negative integer including 0.
Note: This is the famous Landau problem. First solved by the Russian
Theoretical Physicist Landau to understand the magnetic phenomenon
called Diamagentism. The solution explained another quantum mechanical puzzle that comes from the fact that a gas of electrons should
not be influenced by any magnetic field if treated classically. This result was also used to understand why various properties of metal such
a specific heat, resistivity shows oscillation under the application of a
magnetic field at low temperature known as Shubnikov de Haas oscillation. Almost fifty years after Landaus original solution in 1980,
this calcuation was again invoked another very important solid state
phenomena Quantum Hall Effect. Namely, K. V. Klitzing discovered
in 1980 that electrons in the inversion layer of silcon MOSFET shows
quantized Hall resistivity at extremely low temperature and high Magnetic field and won Nobel prize for this in 1985.