Introduction to Path Integrals
|
|
- Norma McKenzie
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 Introduction to Path Integrals Consider ordinary quantum mechanics of a single particle in one space dimension. Let s work in the coordinate space and study the evolution kernel Ut B, x B ; T A, x A ) = x B e itb ta)ĥ/ h x A ) the amplitude for moving from point x A at time t A to point x B at time t B. In the semi-classical regime, this kernel is given by the WKB approximation UB; A) prefactor expis[x cl t)]/ h) 2) where S[xt)] = t B t A Lxt), ẋt)) dt 3) is the action integral of the classical mechanics and x cl t) is the classical path from A to B i.e., x cl t) is the minimum of the functional S[xt)] under conditions xt A ) = x A and xt B ) = x B. If there are several classical paths from A to B because S[x] has several local minima, then they all contribute to the kernel with appropriate phases and we get interference, UB; A) classical paths i prefactor i expis[x i t)]/ h). 4) In the exact quantum mechanics, a sum 4) over classical path becomes an integral over all possible path from A to B, xt B)=x B ) UB; A) = D[xt)] exp is[xt)]/ h. 5) xt A)=x A Note that we integrate over all differentiable functions xt) that satisfy the boundary condition at t A and t B, and they do not obey any equations of motion except by accident. However, in the semiclassical h 0 limit, contribution of most paths is washed out by
2 interference with similar paths whose action differs by only O h). The only survivors of this wash-out stationary points of the functional S[xt)], which are precisely the classical paths from A to B. This is how the WKB approximation 4) and eventually the classical mechanics emerge in the h 0 limit. The problem with the path integral 5) is how to define the differential D[xt)] of a path. Obviously, we should discretize the time: Slice a continuous time interval t A t t B into a large but finite set of discrete times t 0, t, t 2,..., t N, t N ), t n = t A + n t, t = t B t A N, t 0 = t A, t N = t B, 6) but eventually take the N limit. This gives us D[xt)] def = lim dx dx 2 dx N normalization factor where x n xt n ). 7) Note that we do not integrate over the x 0 xt A ) and x N xt B ) because they are fixed by the boundary conditions in eq. 5). The non-obvious part of eq. 7) is the normalization factor. We shall see later in these notes that this factor depends on N, on the net time T = t B t A, and even on the particle s mass, and the exact formula for this factor is not easy to guess. Fortunately, there is a different version of path integration that does not suffer from such normalization factors. Let s consider paths in the phase space x, p) rather than just the x-space. In other words, let s treat xt) and pt) as independent variables and write the action integral 3) in the Hamiltonian language S[xt), pt)] = B A [ p dx Hxt), pt)) dt ] 8) as a functional of both xt) and pt). A classical path is a minimax of this functional a local) minimum with respect to variations of xt) but a local) maximum with respect to variations of px). Also, the coordinate xt) is subject to boundary conditions at the start A 2
3 and finish B, but there are no boundary conditions for the momentum pt). In the quantum mechanics, where UB; A) = xt B)=x B xt A)=x A D [xt)] D [xt)] D[pt)] = D[pt)] exp is[xt), pt)]/ h ) 9) N lim dx n N dp n 2π h. 0) This time, there are no funny normalization factors: all we have is /2π h for every dp n, and that s standard procedure in quantum mechanics. Note that for a given N, we integrate over N momenta but only N coordinates because of the boundary conditions on both ends; to make this difference explicit, I have marked the D [xt)] with a prime. Deriving the Phase Space Path Integral from the Hamiltonian QM Let s start with a mathematical lemma: ) N lim eâ/n eˆb/n = e â+ˆb ) even if the operators â and ˆb do not commute with each other. Proof: eâ/n eˆb/n = + â + ˆb N + O/N 2 ), 2) and lim + â + ˆb ) N N + O/N 2 ) = eâ+ˆb 3) regardless of the details of the O/N 2 ) terms. Now consider a quantum particle living in one space dimension with a Hamiltonian operator of the form Ĥ = Kˆp) + V ˆx) 4) where the kinetic energy ˆK Kˆp) does not depend on the position ˆx and the potential energy ˆV = V ˆx) does not depend on the momentum ˆp. Using the lemma ), we may 3
4 write the evolution operator for the particle as Ût B t A ) e iĥtb ta)/ h = lim e ) i ˆV t/ h e i ˆK t/ h N 5) where t = t B t A )/N as in eq. 6). Consequently, in the coordinate basis x B Ût B t A ) x A = lim dx N dx N x n e i ˆV t/ h e i ˆK t/ h x n 6) where we have identified x 0 x A and x N x B. Each Dirac bracket in the above product evaluates to x n e i ˆV t/ h e i ˆK t/ h x n = = e iv xn) t/ h x n e i ˆK t/ h x n = e iv xn) t/ h dpn 2π h x n p n e ikpn) t/ h p n x n dpn = 2π h e iv xn) t/ h e ixnpn/ h e ikpn) t/ h e ixn p n/ h [ dpn i = 2π h exp p n x n x n ) V x n ) t Kp n ) t) ]. h 7) Plugging this formula back into eq. 6) and combining all the exponentials, we arrive at UB; A) = dp lim dx dx N 2π h dpn eis/ h, 8) 2π h where S = N N ) p n x n x n ) t V x n ) + Kp n ) 9) is the discretized action for a discretized path. Indeed, in the large N limit N [ ] p n x n x n ) + V x n ) + Kp n )) t B A [ p dx H dt ] S[xt), pt)]. Consequently, we should interpret the product of coordinate and momentum integrals in 20) 4
5 eq. 8) as the discretized integral over the paths in the momentum space, dp dx dx N 2π h dpn 2π h D [xt)] D[pt)] 2) in perfect agreement with eq. 0). formula UB; A) = A note on discretization. xt B)=x B xt A)=x A D And eq. 8) itself is the proof of the path-integral [xt)] D[pt)] exp is[xt), pt)]/ h ). 9) Interpreting the sum n p nx n x n ) as the discretized integral pdx calls for assigning the momenta p n to mid-point discrete times with respect to the coordinates x n : x n xt = t A + n t) but p n pt = t A + n 2 ) t). 22) As long as the Hamiltonian can be split into separate kinetic and potential energies according to eq. 4), such different discrete times for the x n and p n are OK because N N Hx, p) dt = V x) dt + Kp) dt t V x n ) + t Kp n ) 23) and the details of the discretization do not matter in the large N limit. However, when the classical Hamiltonian is more complicated than a sum of kinetic and potential energies, the path integral formalism suffers from the discretization ambiguity. For example, for Hx, p) = p 2 x) 24) we could discretize the action as S or or n n n p n x n x n ) t n p n x n x n ) t n p n x n x n ) t n or something else, p 2 n x n ), p 2 n x n ), p 2 n Mx n ) + Mx n ), 25) all these options lead to different evolution kernels, and there are no general rules how to 5
6 resolve such ambiguities. In fact, the discretization ambiguities of the path-integral formalism correspond to the operator-ordering ambiguities of the Hilbert-space formalism of quantum mechanics. For example, given the classical Hamiltonian of the form 24), we can take the quantum Hamiltonian operators to be Ĥ = Ĥ = ˆx) ˆp2, or Ĥ = ˆp2 ˆx), or Ĥ = ˆp ˆx) ˆp, or 26) ˆx) ˆpMˆx)ˆp Mˆx), or something else? Lagrangian Path Integral In this section, I shall reduce the Hamiltonian path integrals over both xt) and pt) to the Lagrangian path integrals over the xt) alone by integrating over the paths in momentum space. This works only when the kinetic energy is quadratic in the momentum, Hp, x) = p2 + V x) = Ĥ = ˆp2 + V ˆx). 27) For such Hamiltonians, pẋ Hp, x) = pẋ p2 V x) = p Mẋ)2 + Mẋ2 2 V x) = Lẋ, x) p Mẋ)2 28) and consequently S Ham [xt), pt)] = S Lagr [xt)] dt p Mẋ) 2. 29) Therefore, in the path integral formalism, UB; A) = = B A B A D [xt)] ) i D[pt)] exp h SHam [xt), pt)] ) i D [xt)] exp h SLagr [xt)] ) i D[pt)] exp dt p Mẋ) 2. h On the second line here, we integrate over the coordinate-space paths xt) after integration over the momentum-space paths pt), so as far as D[pt)] is concerned, we can treat the 30) 6
7 coordinate-space path xt) as a constant. Also, the path-integral measure is linear so we may shift the integration variable by a constant, thus ) ) i i D[pt)] exp dt p Mẋ) 2 = D[pt) Mẋt)] exp dt p Mẋ) 2 h h ) i = D[p t)] exp dt p 2 t) h = const. Plugging this formula back into eq. 30) gives us a Lagrangian path integral UB; A) = const xt B)=x B xt A)=x A D 3) ) i [xt)] exp h SLagr [xt)]. 32) In this formalism there is no independent momentum-space path pt), we integrate only over the coordinate-space path xt), and the action is given by the Lagrangian formula 3). However, the price of this simplification is the un-known overall constant multiplying the path integral 32). To calculate this constant we should first discretize time and only then integrate out the discrete momenta p n. For finite N, the discretized Hamiltonian-formalism action 9) can be written as S Ham discr x 0,..., x N ; p,..., p N ) = n where = t t n p n M x n x n t p n x n x n ) n + M 2 t = t n p 2 n ) 2 x n x n ) 2 t n n p n M x n x n t t n V x n ) V x n ) ) 2 + S Lagr discr x 0,..., x N ) S Lagr discr x 0,..., x N ) = t [ ) 2 M xn x n V x n )] 2 t n [ ) 2 M dx dt V x)] = S Lagr [xt)] 2 dt 33) 34) 7
8 is the discretized action for of the Lagrangian formalism. In light of eq. 33) we may write the discretized path integral 8) as dp dx dx N 2π h dpn i 2π h exp i = dx dx N exp ) discr x 0,..., x N ; p,..., p N ) ) h SHam discr x 0,..., x N ) h SLagr N dpn 2π h exp i t p n M x ) ) 2 n x n h t where we integrate over all momenta p n before we integrate over the coordinates. Consequently, in each integral on the last line of eq. 35) we may shift the integration variable from p n to p n = p n M x n / t, thus dpn 2π h exp i t p n M x ) ) 2 n x n h t = dp ) n i t 2π h exp h p 2 n Plugging this formula back into eq. 35), we arrive at the Lagrangian path integral UB; A) = ) N/2 MN lim 2πi ht B t A ) xt B)=x B xt A)=x A D ) i [xt)] exp h SLagr [xt)]. = = 35) M 2πi h t. 36) ) i dx dx N exp h SLagr discr x 0,..., x N ) Note however that in the Lagrangian formalism, the D [xt)] is not just the limit of d N x dx dx N but also includes the normalisation factor 37) CN, M, t B t A ) = ) N/2 MN. 38) 2πi ht B t A ) This normalization factor depends on N, on the net time T = t B t A, and on the particle s mass M, but it does not depend on the potential V x) or the initial and final points x A and x B. Consequently, without discretizing time, a Lagrangian path integral calculation yields the amplitude UB; A) up to an unknown overall factor F M, T ). However, we may obtain 8
9 this factor by comparing with a similar path integral for a free particle: the overall F M, T ) factor is the same in both cases, and the free amplitude is known to be U free B; A) = M 2πi ht exp imxb x A ) 2 ). 39) 2 ht Alternatively, all kind of quantities can be obtained from the ratios of path integrals, and such ratios do not depend on the overall normalization of the D[xt)]; this is the method most commonly used in the quantum field theory. Partition Function The partition function of a quantum system with a Hamiltonian Ĥ is the trace Zt) def = Tr Ût; 0) Tr exp itĥ/ h) = eigenvalues E n exp ite n / h). 40) This time-dependent partition function is related to the temperature-dependent partition function of Statistical Mechanics Zβ) = Tr exp βĥ) 4) via analytical continuation of time t to imaginary values t i hβ = i h k B Temperature. 42) In the path integral formalism, the partition function is given by ZT ) = dx Ut, x; 0, x) = D[xt)] e is[xt)]/ h. 43) xt )=x0) Note no prime over D because the paths xt) are subject to only one boundary condition periodicity in time, xt ) = x0). Without discretizing time, the path integral 43) can be calculated up to an overall normalization constant. Consequently, when we extract the Hamiltonian s spectrum {E n } from the partition function ZT ), the multiplicity of all the eigenvalues can be determined only up to some unknown overall factor. 9
10 For example, consider a harmonic oscillator with action S[xt)] = M 2 dt ẋ 2 t) ω 2 x 2 t) ). 44) This action is a quadratic functional of the xt), and it can be diagonalized via Fourier transform, xt) = S[xt)] = C n = C n + n= + n= = MT 2 y n e 2πint/T, y n = y n, 45) C n y ny n, 46) 2πn ) ) 2 ω 2. 47) T Note that the discrete frequencies 2πn/T of the Fourier transform 45) are completely determined by the boundary conditions xt ) = x0) and have nothing to do with the oscillator s frequency ω. By linearity of the transform 45), D[xt)] = periodic + n= = J dy 0 dy n a constantjacobian d Re y n d Im y n. 48) To be precise, the Jacobian J here depends on T and on the mass M via the normalization of the Lagrangian path integral, but it does not depend on any of the y n variables, and it does not depend on the oscillator s frequency ω. In terms of the Fourier variables y n, the path integral 43) becomes Z = J dy 0 = J n=0 πi h C 0 i d Re y n d Im y n exp h S = ic 0 h y2 0 + πi h. 2C n ) 2iC n h y n 2 49) 0
11 The coefficients C n are spelled out in eq. 47), but it s convenient to rewrite them as C 0 = M 2T ωt )2, C n>0 = 2π2 Mn 2 T Consequently, the partition function 49) becomes ) ) 2 ωt. 50) 2πn ZT ) = F ωt ) ) ωt 2 ) 5) 2πn where F = J 2π ht im i ht 4π 2 Mn 2 52) combines all the factors that do not depend on the oscillator s frequency ω. A priori, F could be a function of M or T, but by the non-relativistic dimensional analysis, a dimensionless function F M, T, h) which does not depend on anything else must be a constant. It is not clear whether this constant is finite or infinite: it contains an infinite product over n that is badly divergent, and the Jacobian J is also badly divergent. To resolve this issue, we need to discretize time and then go through a calculation similar to the above but more complicated; I ll presented in a separate write up you should read as a part of your next homework. For now, just take it without proof that all the divergences cancel out and F is finite. The remaining infinite product in the denominator of eq. 5) is absolutely convergent, and it may be evaluated just by looking at its poles and zeros. The analytic function sx) = x x/n) 2 = n n x n ) n + x has no zeroes, it has simple poles at all integers positive, negative, and zero), it does not have any worse-than-pole singularities in the complex x plane, and it does not grow when x ±i. These facts completely determine this function to be 53) x x/n) 2 = π sinπx) 54) where the normalization comes from the residue of the pole at x = 0. In eq. 5) we have a
12 similar product for x = ωt/2π, hence ZT ) = 2 F sinωt/2). 55) To extract the oscillator s eigenvalues from this partition function, we expand it as ZT ) = 2 F sinωt/2) = if e iωt/2 e iωt/2 = if e iωt n+ ) 2. 56) n=0 Comparing to eq. 40) we immediately see that the eigenvalues are E n = hωn+ 2 ) and they all have the same multiplicity if. Of course, we all new those facts back in the undergraduate school if not earlier), but now we know how to derive them in the path-integral formalism. 2
Introduction to Path Integrals
Itroductio to Path Itegrals Path Itegrals i Quatum Mechaics Before explaiig how the path itegrals or rather, the fuctioal itegrals work i quatum field theory, let me review the path itegrals i the ordiary
More information221A Lecture Notes Path Integral
A Lecture Notes Path Integral Feynman s Path Integral Formulation Feynman s formulation of quantum mechanics using the so-called path integral is arguably the most elegant. It can be stated in a single
More information1 Equal-time and Time-ordered Green Functions
1 Equal-time and Time-ordered Green Functions Predictions for observables in quantum field theories are made by computing expectation values of products of field operators, which are called Green functions
More informationdx dt dy dt x(t) y 1 t x 1 t
PHY 396. Solutions for homework set #19. Problem 1a): The difference between a circle and a straight line is that on a circle the path of a particle going from point x 1 to point x 2 does not need to be
More informationLecture 3 Dynamics 29
Lecture 3 Dynamics 29 30 LECTURE 3. DYNAMICS 3.1 Introduction Having described the states and the observables of a quantum system, we shall now introduce the rules that determine their time evolution.
More informationPHY 396 L. Solutions for homework set #21.
PHY 396 L. Solutions for homework set #21. Problem 1a): The difference between a circle and a straight line is that on a circle the path of a particle going from point x 0 to point x does not need to be
More informationd 3 k In the same non-relativistic normalization x k = exp(ikk),
PHY 396 K. Solutions for homework set #3. Problem 1a: The Hamiltonian 7.1 of a free relativistic particle and hence the evolution operator exp itĥ are functions of the momentum operator ˆp, so they diagonalize
More informationFeynman Path Integrals in Quantum Mechanics
Feynman Path Integrals in Quantum Mechanics Christian Egli October, 2004 Abstract This text is written as a report to the seminar course in theoretical physics at KTH, Stockholm. The idea of this work
More informationPHY 396 K. Problem set #5. Due October 9, 2008.
PHY 396 K. Problem set #5. Due October 9, 2008.. First, an exercise in bosonic commutation relations [â α, â β = 0, [â α, â β = 0, [â α, â β = δ αβ. ( (a Calculate the commutators [â αâ β, â γ, [â αâ β,
More informationor we could divide the total time T into N steps, with δ = T/N. Then and then we could insert the identity everywhere along the path.
D. L. Rubin September, 011 These notes are based on Sakurai,.4, Gottfried and Yan,.7, Shankar 8 & 1, and Richard MacKenzie s Vietnam School of Physics lecture notes arxiv:quanth/0004090v1 1 Path Integral
More information8.323 Relativistic Quantum Field Theory I
MIT OpenCourseWare http://ocw.mit.edu 8.33 Relativistic Quantum Field Theory I Spring 008 For information about citing these materials or our Terms of Use, visit: http://ocw.mit.edu/terms. MASSACHUSETTS
More informationPath integral in quantum mechanics based on S-6 Consider nonrelativistic quantum mechanics of one particle in one dimension with the hamiltonian:
Path integral in quantum mechanics based on S-6 Consider nonrelativistic quantum mechanics of one particle in one dimension with the hamiltonian: let s look at one piece first: P and Q obey: Probability
More informationPHY 396 K. Solutions for problems 1 and 2 of set #5.
PHY 396 K. Solutions for problems 1 and of set #5. Problem 1a: The conjugacy relations  k,  k,, Ê k, Ê k, follow from hermiticity of the Âx and Êx quantum fields and from the third eq. 6 for the polarization
More informationPHY 396 K. Problem set #7. Due October 25, 2012 (Thursday).
PHY 396 K. Problem set #7. Due October 25, 2012 (Thursday. 1. Quantum mechanics of a fixed number of relativistic particles does not work (except as an approximation because of problems with relativistic
More informationMP463 QUANTUM MECHANICS
MP463 QUANTUM MECHANICS Introduction Quantum theory of angular momentum Quantum theory of a particle in a central potential - Hydrogen atom - Three-dimensional isotropic harmonic oscillator (a model of
More informationPath integrals and the classical approximation 1 D. E. Soper 2 University of Oregon 14 November 2011
Path integrals and the classical approximation D. E. Soper University of Oregon 4 November 0 I offer here some background for Sections.5 and.6 of J. J. Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics. Introduction There
More informationSummary of free theory: one particle state: vacuum state is annihilated by all a s: then, one particle state has normalization:
The LSZ reduction formula based on S-5 In order to describe scattering experiments we need to construct appropriate initial and final states and calculate scattering amplitude. Summary of free theory:
More informationPath Intergal. 1 Introduction. 2 Derivation From Schrödinger Equation. Shoichi Midorikawa
Path Intergal Shoichi Midorikawa 1 Introduction The Feynman path integral1 is one of the formalism to solve the Schrödinger equation. However this approach is not peculiar to quantum mechanics, and M.
More information1 Mathematical preliminaries
1 Mathematical preliminaries The mathematical language of quantum mechanics is that of vector spaces and linear algebra. In this preliminary section, we will collect the various definitions and mathematical
More informationVacuum Energy and Effective Potentials
Vacuum Energy and Effective Potentials Quantum field theories have badly divergent vacuum energies. In perturbation theory, the leading term is the net zero-point energy E zeropoint = particle species
More informationLiouville Equation. q s = H p s
Liouville Equation In this section we will build a bridge from Classical Mechanics to Statistical Physics. The bridge is Liouville equation. We start with the Hamiltonian formalism of the Classical Mechanics,
More information1 Heisenberg Representation
1 Heisenberg Representation What we have been ealing with so far is calle the Schröinger representation. In this representation, operators are constants an all the time epenence is carrie by the states.
More informationPath integrals in quantum mechanics
Path integrals in quantum mechanics Phys V3500/G8099 handout #1 References: there s a nice discussion of this material in the first chapter of L.S. Schulman, Techniques and applications of path integration.
More informationPY 351 Modern Physics - Lecture notes, 3
PY 351 Modern Physics - Lecture notes, 3 Copyright by Claudio Rebbi, Boston University, October 2016. These notes cannot be duplicated and distributed without explicit permission of the author. Time dependence
More informationLaplace Transform Integration (ACM 40520)
Laplace Transform Integration (ACM 40520) Peter Lynch School of Mathematical Sciences Outline Basic Theory Residue Theorem Ordinary Differential Equations General Vector NWP Equation Lagrangian Formulation
More information4. Complex Oscillations
4. Complex Oscillations The most common use of complex numbers in physics is for analyzing oscillations and waves. We will illustrate this with a simple but crucially important model, the damped harmonic
More information1 Time-Dependent Two-State Systems: Rabi Oscillations
Advanced kinetics Solution 7 April, 16 1 Time-Dependent Two-State Systems: Rabi Oscillations a In order to show how Ĥintt affects a bound state system in first-order time-dependent perturbation theory
More informationQuantum Physics III (8.06) Spring 2007 FINAL EXAMINATION Monday May 21, 9:00 am You have 3 hours.
Quantum Physics III (8.06) Spring 2007 FINAL EXAMINATION Monday May 21, 9:00 am You have 3 hours. There are 10 problems, totalling 180 points. Do all problems. Answer all problems in the white books provided.
More informationCreation and Destruction Operators and Coherent States
Creation and Destruction Operators and Coherent States WKB Method for Ground State Wave Function state harmonic oscillator wave function, We first rewrite the ground < x 0 >= ( π h )1/4 exp( x2 a 2 h )
More information1 Infinite-Dimensional Vector Spaces
Theoretical Physics Notes 4: Linear Operators In this installment of the notes, we move from linear operators in a finitedimensional vector space (which can be represented as matrices) to linear operators
More informationLecture #5: Begin Quantum Mechanics: Free Particle and Particle in a 1D Box
561 Fall 017 Lecture #5 page 1 Last time: Lecture #5: Begin Quantum Mechanics: Free Particle and Particle in a 1D Box 1-D Wave equation u x = 1 u v t * u(x,t): displacements as function of x,t * nd -order:
More informationAssignment 8. [η j, η k ] = J jk
Assignment 8 Goldstein 9.8 Prove directly that the transformation is canonical and find a generating function. Q 1 = q 1, P 1 = p 1 p Q = p, P = q 1 q We can establish that the transformation is canonical
More informationThe Path Integral Formulation of Quantum Mechanics
Based on Quantum Mechanics and Path Integrals by Richard P. Feynman and Albert R. Hibbs, and Feynman s Thesis The Path Integral Formulation Vebjørn Gilberg University of Oslo July 14, 2017 Contents 1 Introduction
More informationG : Statistical Mechanics
G5.651: Statistical Mechanics Notes for Lecture 1 I. DERIVATION OF THE DISCRETIZED PATH INTEGRAL We begin our discussion of the Feynman path integral with the canonical ensemble. The epressions for the
More informationPath integrals in quantum mechanics
Path integrals in quantum mechanics (Appunti per il corso di Fisica Teorica 1 016/17) 14.1.016 Fiorenzo Bastianelli Quantum mechanics can be formulated in two equivalent ways: (i) canonical quantization,
More informationPATH INTEGRAL for HARMONIC OSCILLATOR
PATH ITEGRAL for HAROIC OSCILLATOR I class, I have showed how to use path itegral formalism to calculate the partitio fuctio of a quatum system. Formally, ] ZT = Tr e it Ĥ = ÛT, 0 = dx 0 Ux 0, T ; x 0,
More informationMath 312 Lecture Notes Linear Two-dimensional Systems of Differential Equations
Math 2 Lecture Notes Linear Two-dimensional Systems of Differential Equations Warren Weckesser Department of Mathematics Colgate University February 2005 In these notes, we consider the linear system of
More informationEach problem is worth 34 points. 1. Harmonic Oscillator Consider the Hamiltonian for a simple harmonic oscillator. 2ml 2 0. d 2
Physics 443 Prelim # with solutions March 7, 8 Each problem is worth 34 points.. Harmonic Oscillator Consider the Hamiltonian for a simple harmonic oscillator H p m + mω x (a Use dimensional analysis to
More informationApproximation Methods in QM
Chapter 3 Approximation Methods in QM Contents 3.1 Time independent PT (nondegenerate)............... 5 3. Degenerate perturbation theory (PT)................. 59 3.3 Time dependent PT and Fermi s golden
More informationPATH INTEGRAL for the HARMONIC OSCILLATOR
PATH ITEGRAL for the HAROIC OSCILLATOR I class, I have showed how to use path itegral formalism to calculate the partitio fuctio of a quatum system. Formally, ] ZT = Tr e it Ĥ = ÛT, 0 = dx 0 Ux 0, T ;
More informationQuantum Orbits. Quantum Theory for the Computer Age Unit 9. Diving orbit. Caustic. for KE/PE =R=-3/8. for KE/PE =R=-3/8. p"...
W.G. Harter Coulomb Obits 6-1 Quantum Theory for the Computer Age Unit 9 Caustic for KE/PE =R=-3/8 F p' p g r p"... P F' F P Diving orbit T" T T' Contact Pt. for KE/PE =R=-3/8 Quantum Orbits W.G. Harter
More informationClassical field theory 2012 (NS-364B) Feynman propagator
Classical field theory 212 (NS-364B Feynman propagator 1. Introduction States in quantum mechanics in Schrödinger picture evolve as ( Ψt = Û(t,t Ψt, Û(t,t = T exp ı t dt Ĥ(t, (1 t where Û(t,t denotes the
More informationPhysics 115/242 Comparison of methods for integrating the simple harmonic oscillator.
Physics 115/4 Comparison of methods for integrating the simple harmonic oscillator. Peter Young I. THE SIMPLE HARMONIC OSCILLATOR The energy (sometimes called the Hamiltonian ) of the simple harmonic oscillator
More informationCoherent states, beam splitters and photons
Coherent states, beam splitters and photons S.J. van Enk 1. Each mode of the electromagnetic (radiation) field with frequency ω is described mathematically by a 1D harmonic oscillator with frequency ω.
More informationWe start with some important background material in classical and quantum mechanics.
Chapter Basics We start with some important background material in classical and quantum mechanics.. Classical mechanics Lagrangian mechanics Compared to Newtonian mechanics, Lagrangian mechanics has the
More informationLecture 12. The harmonic oscillator
Lecture 12 The harmonic oscillator 107 108 LECTURE 12. THE HARMONIC OSCILLATOR 12.1 Introduction In this chapter, we are going to find explicitly the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues for the time-independent
More informationFrom Particles to Fields
From Particles to Fields Tien-Tsan Shieh Institute of Mathematics Academic Sinica July 25, 2011 Tien-Tsan Shieh (Institute of MathematicsAcademic Sinica) From Particles to Fields July 25, 2011 1 / 24 Hamiltonian
More informationLecture 7. More dimensions
Lecture 7 More dimensions 67 68 LECTURE 7. MORE DIMENSIONS 7.1 Introduction In this lecture we generalize the concepts introduced so far to systems that evolve in more than one spatial dimension. While
More informationPATH INTEGRAL SOLUTION FOR A PARTICLE WITH POSITION DEPENDENT MASS
Vol. 9 ACTA PHYSICA POLONICA B No PATH INTEGRAL SOLUTION FOR A PARTICLE WITH POSITION DEPENDENT MASS N. Bouchemla, L. Chetouani Département de Physique, Faculté de Sciences Exactes Université Mentouri,
More information16. Local theory of regular singular points and applications
16. Local theory of regular singular points and applications 265 16. Local theory of regular singular points and applications In this section we consider linear systems defined by the germs of meromorphic
More informationPLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU FIND TYPOS (send to
Teoretisk Fysik KTH Advanced QM (SI2380), Lecture 2 (Summary of concepts) 1 PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU FIND TYPOS (send email to langmann@kth.se) The laws of QM 1. I now discuss the laws of QM and their
More informationPath Integrals and Quantum Mechanics
Path Integrals and Quantum Mechanics Martin Sandström Department Of Physics Umeȧ University Supervisor: Jens Zamanian October 1, 015 Abstract In this thesis we are investigating a different formalism of
More informationMonte Carlo simulations of harmonic and anharmonic oscillators in discrete Euclidean time
Monte Carlo simulations of harmonic and anharmonic oscillators in discrete Euclidean time DESY Summer Student Programme, 214 Ronnie Rodgers University of Oxford, United Kingdom Laura Raes University of
More informationSimple Harmonic Oscillator
Classical harmonic oscillator Linear force acting on a particle (Hooke s law): F =!kx From Newton s law: F = ma = m d x dt =!kx " d x dt + # x = 0, # = k / m Position and momentum solutions oscillate in
More informationElectric and Magnetic Forces in Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Formalism
Electric and Magnetic Forces in Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Formalism Benjamin Hornberger 1/26/1 Phy 55, Classical Electrodynamics, Prof. Goldhaber Lecture notes from Oct. 26, 21 Lecture held by Prof. Weisberger
More informationin terms of the classical frequency, ω = , puts the classical Hamiltonian in the form H = p2 2m + mω2 x 2
One of the most important problems in quantum mechanics is the simple harmonic oscillator, in part because its properties are directly applicable to field theory. The treatment in Dirac notation is particularly
More informationMath 3313: Differential Equations Second-order ordinary differential equations
Math 3313: Differential Equations Second-order ordinary differential equations Thomas W. Carr Department of Mathematics Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX Outline Mass-spring & Newton s 2nd law Properties
More informationChemistry 593: The Semi-Classical Limit David Ronis McGill University
Chemistry 593: The Semi-Classical Limit David Ronis McGill University. The Semi-Classical Limit: Quantum Corrections Here we will work out what the leading order contribution to the canonical partition
More informationTransient Phenomena in Quantum Bound States Subjected to a Sudden Perturbation
Symmetry, Integrability and Geometry: Methods and Applications Vol. (5), Paper 3, 9 pages Transient Phenomena in Quantum Bound States Subjected to a Sudden Perturbation Marcos MOSHINSKY and Emerson SADURNÍ
More informationThe Simple Harmonic Oscillator
The Simple Harmonic Oscillator Asaf Pe er 1 November 4, 215 This part of the course is based on Refs [1] [3] 1 Introduction We return now to the study of a 1-d stationary problem: that of the simple harmonic
More information1 The Quantum Anharmonic Oscillator
1 The Quantum Anharmonic Oscillator Perturbation theory based on Feynman diagrams can be used to calculate observables in Quantum Electrodynamics, like the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron, and
More informationPhysics 342 Lecture 17. Midterm I Recap. Lecture 17. Physics 342 Quantum Mechanics I
Physics 342 Lecture 17 Midterm I Recap Lecture 17 Physics 342 Quantum Mechanics I Monday, March 1th, 28 17.1 Introduction In the context of the first midterm, there are a few points I d like to make about
More informationQuantum Mechanics: Postulates
Quantum Mechanics: Postulates 25th March 2008 I. Physical meaning of the Wavefunction Postulate 1: The wavefunction attempts to describe a quantum mechanical entity (photon, electron, x-ray, etc.) through
More informationChemistry 532 Problem Set 7 Spring 2012 Solutions
Chemistry 53 Problem Set 7 Spring 01 Solutions 1. The study of the time-independent Schrödinger equation for a one-dimensional particle subject to the potential function leads to the differential equation
More information2.1 Calculation of the ground state energy via path integral
Chapter 2 Instantons in Quantum Mechanics Before describing the instantons and their effects in non-abelian gauge theories, it is instructive to become familiar with the relevant ideas in the context of
More information4.3 Lecture 18: Quantum Mechanics
CHAPTER 4. QUANTUM SYSTEMS 73 4.3 Lecture 18: Quantum Mechanics 4.3.1 Basics Now that we have mathematical tools of linear algebra we are ready to develop a framework of quantum mechanics. The framework
More informationChemistry 532 Practice Final Exam Fall 2012 Solutions
Chemistry 53 Practice Final Exam Fall Solutions x e ax dx π a 3/ ; π sin 3 xdx 4 3 π cos nx dx π; sin θ cos θ + K x n e ax dx n! a n+ ; r r r r ˆL h r ˆL z h i φ ˆL x i hsin φ + cot θ cos φ θ φ ) ˆLy i
More informationThe Time{Dependent Born{Oppenheimer Approximation and Non{Adiabatic Transitions
The Time{Dependent Born{Oppenheimer Approximation and Non{Adiabatic Transitions George A. Hagedorn Department of Mathematics, and Center for Statistical Mechanics, Mathematical Physics, and Theoretical
More informationFunctional Quantization
Functional Quantization In quantum mechanics of one or several particles, we may use path integrals to calculate the transition matrix elements as out Ût out t in in D[allx i t] expis[allx i t] Ψ out allx
More informationt L(q, q)dt (11.1) ,..., S ) + S q 1
Chapter 11 WKB and the path integral In this chapter we discuss two reformulations of the Schrödinger equations that can be used to study the transition from quantum mechanics to classical mechanics. They
More informationClassical and Quantum Mechanics of a Charged Particle Moving in Electric and Magnetic Fields
Classical Mechanics Classical and Quantum Mechanics of a Charged Particle Moving in Electric and Magnetic Fields In this section I describe the Lagrangian and the Hamiltonian formulations of classical
More informationMULTIPLYING TRINOMIALS
Name: Date: 1 Math 2 Variable Manipulation Part 4 Polynomials B MULTIPLYING TRINOMIALS Multiplying trinomials is the same process as multiplying binomials except for there are more terms to multiply than
More informationWarming Up to Finite-Temperature Field Theory
Warming Up to Finite-Temperature Field Theory Michael Shamma UC Santa Cruz March 2016 Overview Motivations Quantum statistical mechanics (quick!) Path integral representation of partition function in quantum
More informationQuantum Mechanics I Physics 5701
Quantum Mechanics I Physics 5701 Z. E. Meziani 02/24//2017 Physics 5701 Lecture Commutation of Observables and First Consequences of the Postulates Outline 1 Commutation Relations 2 Uncertainty Relations
More informationQUANTUM MECHANICS I PHYS 516. Solutions to Problem Set # 5
QUANTUM MECHANICS I PHYS 56 Solutions to Problem Set # 5. Crossed E and B fields: A hydrogen atom in the N 2 level is subject to crossed electric and magnetic fields. Choose your coordinate axes to make
More informationPHYS Handout 6
PHYS 060 Handout 6 Handout Contents Golden Equations for Lectures 8 to Answers to examples on Handout 5 Tricks of the Quantum trade (revision hints) Golden Equations (Lectures 8 to ) ψ Â φ ψ (x)âφ(x)dxn
More information10. Operators and the Exponential Response Formula
52 10. Operators and the Exponential Response Formula 10.1. Operators. Operators are to functions as functions are to numbers. An operator takes a function, does something to it, and returns this modified
More informationClassical mechanics of particles and fields
Classical mechanics of particles and fields D.V. Skryabin Department of Physics, University of Bath PACS numbers: The concise and transparent exposition of many topics covered in this unit can be found
More informationLinearization of Differential Equation Models
Linearization of Differential Equation Models 1 Motivation We cannot solve most nonlinear models, so we often instead try to get an overall feel for the way the model behaves: we sometimes talk about looking
More informationSemi-Classical Theory of Radiative Transitions
Semi-Classical Theory of Radiative Transitions Massimo Ricotti ricotti@astro.umd.edu University of Maryland Semi-Classical Theory of Radiative Transitions p.1/13 Atomic Structure (recap) Time-dependent
More informationPhys 622 Problems Chapter 5
1 Phys 622 Problems Chapter 5 Problem 1 The correct basis set of perturbation theory Consider the relativistic correction to the electron-nucleus interaction H LS = α L S, also known as the spin-orbit
More informationNon-perturbative effects in ABJM theory
October 9, 2015 Non-perturbative effects in ABJM theory 1 / 43 Outline 1. Non-perturbative effects 1.1 General aspects 1.2 Non-perturbative aspects of string theory 1.3 Non-perturbative effects in M-theory
More informationPhysics 741 Graduate Quantum Mechanics 1 Solutions to Midterm Exam, Fall x i x dx i x i x x i x dx
Physics 74 Graduate Quantum Mechanics Solutions to Midterm Exam, Fall 4. [ points] Consider the wave function x Nexp x ix (a) [6] What is the correct normaliation N? The normaliation condition is. exp,
More information1 Review of simple harmonic oscillator
MATHEMATICS 7302 (Analytical Dynamics YEAR 2017 2018, TERM 2 HANDOUT #8: COUPLED OSCILLATIONS AND NORMAL MODES 1 Review of simple harmonic oscillator In MATH 1301/1302 you studied the simple harmonic oscillator:
More informationQuantum Mechanics. p " The Uncertainty Principle places fundamental limits on our measurements :
Student Selected Module 2005/2006 (SSM-0032) 17 th November 2005 Quantum Mechanics Outline : Review of Previous Lecture. Single Particle Wavefunctions. Time-Independent Schrödinger equation. Particle in
More informationQuantum Physics III (8.06) Spring 2016 Assignment 3
Quantum Physics III (8.6) Spring 6 Assignment 3 Readings Griffiths Chapter 9 on time-dependent perturbation theory Shankar Chapter 8 Cohen-Tannoudji, Chapter XIII. Problem Set 3. Semi-classical approximation
More informationharmonic oscillator in quantum mechanics
Physics 400 Spring 016 harmonic oscillator in quantum mechanics lecture notes, spring semester 017 http://www.phys.uconn.edu/ rozman/ourses/p400_17s/ Last modified: May 19, 017 Dimensionless Schrödinger
More informationQuantization of a Scalar Field
Quantization of a Scalar Field Required reading: Zwiebach 0.-4,.4 Suggested reading: Your favorite quantum text Any quantum field theory text Quantizing a harmonic oscillator: Let s start by reviewing
More informationNonlinear Single-Particle Dynamics in High Energy Accelerators
Nonlinear Single-Particle Dynamics in High Energy Accelerators Part 2: Basic tools and concepts Nonlinear Single-Particle Dynamics in High Energy Accelerators This course consists of eight lectures: 1.
More informationObtaining the Probability Vector Current Density in Canonical Quantum Mechanics by Linear Superposition
Obtaining the Probability Vector Current Density in Canonical Quantum Mechanics by Linear Superposition Steven Kenneth Kauffmann Abstract The quantum mechanics status of the probability vector current
More information1 Imaginary Time Path Integral
1 Imaginary Time Path Integral For the so-called imaginary time path integral, the object of interest is exp( τh h There are two reasons for using imaginary time path integrals. One is that the application
More information221B Lecture Notes on Resonances in Classical Mechanics
1B Lecture Notes on Resonances in Classical Mechanics 1 Harmonic Oscillators Harmonic oscillators appear in many different contexts in classical mechanics. Examples include: spring, pendulum (with a small
More informationSeminar 6: COUPLED HARMONIC OSCILLATORS
Seminar 6: COUPLED HARMONIC OSCILLATORS 1. Lagrangian Equations of Motion Let consider a system consisting of two harmonic oscillators that are coupled together. As a model, we will use two particles attached
More informationSecond Quantization: Quantum Fields
Second Quantization: Quantum Fields Bosons and Fermions Let X j stand for the coordinate and spin subscript (if any) of the j-th particle, so that the vector of state Ψ of N particles has the form Ψ Ψ(X
More informationClassical Statistical Mechanics: Part 1
Classical Statistical Mechanics: Part 1 January 16, 2013 Classical Mechanics 1-Dimensional system with 1 particle of mass m Newton s equations of motion for position x(t) and momentum p(t): ẋ(t) dx p =
More informationA Minimal Uncertainty Product for One Dimensional Semiclassical Wave Packets
A Minimal Uncertainty Product for One Dimensional Semiclassical Wave Packets George A. Hagedorn Happy 60 th birthday, Mr. Fritz! Abstract. Although real, normalized Gaussian wave packets minimize the product
More informationMassachusetts Institute of Technology Physics Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Physics Department Physics 8.32 Fall 2006 Quantum Theory I October 9, 2006 Assignment 6 Due October 20, 2006 Announcements There will be a makeup lecture on Friday,
More informationPhysics 217 Problem Set 1 Due: Friday, Aug 29th, 2008
Problem Set 1 Due: Friday, Aug 29th, 2008 Course page: http://www.physics.wustl.edu/~alford/p217/ Review of complex numbers. See appendix K of the textbook. 1. Consider complex numbers z = 1.5 + 0.5i and
More information9 Instantons in Quantum Mechanics
9 Instantons in Quantum Mechanics 9.1 General discussion It has already been briefly mentioned that in quantum mechanics certain aspects of a problem can be overlooed in a perturbative treatment. One example
More informationProblem 1: Lagrangians and Conserved Quantities. Consider the following action for a particle of mass m moving in one dimension
105A Practice Final Solutions March 13, 01 William Kelly Problem 1: Lagrangians and Conserved Quantities Consider the following action for a particle of mass m moving in one dimension S = dtl = mc dt 1
More information