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3
votes
2answers
34 views

Quantum Mechanical Operators in the argument of an exponential

In Quantum Optics and Quantum Mechanics, the time evolution operator $$U(t,t_i) = \exp\left[\frac{-i}{\hbar}H(t-t_i)\right]$$ is used quite a lot. Suppose $t_i =0$ for simplicity, and say the ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views

Schrodinger equation in momentum space [duplicate]

I have a problem this is: When I solve the Schrodinger equation in momentum space, I had done as this: $\begin{array}{l} i\hbar \frac{{\partial \Psi }}{{\partial t}} = - \frac{\hbar ...
0
votes
0answers
66 views

Prove that the position operator is $\hat{x} = i\hbar \frac{d}{{dp}}$ in the momentum representation [closed]

Proof that: $x = i\hbar \frac{d}{{dp}}$ I did this, could you tell me if I am false or true $\begin{array}{l} x{e^{\frac{{ipx}}{\hbar }}} = - i\hbar \frac{{d{e^{\frac{{ipx}}{\hbar }}}}}{{dp}} = ...
-1
votes
1answer
65 views

Proof $\left[ {\hat H,{{\hat p}_i}} \right] = - \frac{\hbar }{i}\frac{{\partial \hat H}}{{\partial {{\hat q}_i}}}$ [closed]

I have a problem with the Hamiltonian, I don't think anything to solve it!! So could you give me some hints! Knowing that: $$\left[ {{{\hat p}_i},{{\hat q}_k}} \right] = \frac{\hbar }{i}{\delta ...
1
vote
1answer
84 views

Some Dirac notation explanations

Equation for an expectation value $\langle x \rangle$ is known to me: \begin{align} \langle x \rangle = \int\limits_{-\infty}^{\infty} \overline{\psi}x\psi\, d x \end{align} By the definition we ...
2
votes
2answers
108 views

How do we know that $\psi$ is the eigenfunction of an operator $\hat{H}$ with eigenvalue $W$?

I am kind of new to this eigenvalue, eigenfunction and operator things, but I have come across this quote many times: $\psi$ is the eigenfunction of an operator $\hat{H}$ with eigenvalue $W$. ...
2
votes
1answer
39 views

Statistical sum of physical quantities in a quantum system

Let $C = A + B$ (statistical sum, so $\mathbb{E}[C] = \mathbb{E}[A] + \mathbb{E}[B]$), and let $p(A = a) = 1$. Are the following true? $\mathbb{E}[C^2] = a^2 + 2a\mathbb{E}[B] + \mathbb{E}[B^2]$ ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views

Energy eigenvalues of a Q.H.Oscillator with $[\hat{H},\hat{a}] = -\hbar \omega \hat{a}$ and $[\hat{H},\hat{a}^\dagger] = \hbar \omega \hat{a}^\dagger$

I just finished deriving the commutators: \begin{align} [\hat{H}, \hat{a}] &= -\hbar \omega \hat{a}\\ [\hat{H}, \hat{a}^\dagger] &= \hbar \omega \hat{a}^\dagger\\ \end{align} On the ...
3
votes
0answers
46 views

A particlar normal ordering problem

Say we have an expression of the form: $$ \left<0\right|:\phi(x)^2: : \phi(y)^2:\left|0\right>, $$ where $\phi$ is some scalar field. I have heard the claim several times, that in evaluating ...
3
votes
2answers
179 views

Coherent State, Unitary Operators, Harmonic Oscillator

Consider the operator: $$O = e^{\theta(a^\dagger b - b^\dagger a)}$$ where $\theta$ is a constant. $O$ is a unitary operator. $a$, $a^\dagger$, $b$, and $b^\dagger$ are ladder operators for two ...
4
votes
2answers
88 views

Proof for commutator relation $[\hat{H},\hat{a}] = - \hbar \omega \hat{a}$

I know how to derive below equations found on wikipedia and have done it myselt too: \begin{align} \hat{H} &= \hbar \omega \left(\hat{a}^\dagger\hat{a} + \frac{1}{2}\right)\\ \hat{H} &= ...
1
vote
1answer
51 views

The matrix element of a normal-ordered operator

Eq (1.137) in Negele and Orland gives the following identity for a normal-ordered operator $A(a_i^\dagger,a_i)$: $$\langle \phi|A(a_i^\dagger,a_i)|\phi'\rangle=A(\phi_i^*,\phi'_i)e^{\sum ...
4
votes
2answers
72 views

Translator Operator

In Modern Quantum Mechanics by Sakurai, at page 46 while deriving commutator of translator operator with position operator, he uses $$\left| x+dx\right\rangle \simeq \left| x \right\rangle.$$ But for ...
2
votes
1answer
105 views

Phys.org Spectral geometry to unite relativity and quantum mechanics, restate in laymens terms?

Lingua Franca links relativity and quantum theories with spectral geometry Could someone give me a short synopsis of this article in laymens terms? What implications does this have in the physics ...
2
votes
0answers
88 views

How to define the mirror symmetry operator for Kane-Mele model?

Let us take the famous Kane-Mele(KM) model(http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v95/i22/e226801 and http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v95/i14/e146802) as our starting point. Due to the time-reversal(TR), ...
0
votes
1answer
81 views

Matrix representation for fermionic annihilation operator

My guess it should look something like this: $ c_\sigma = ...
0
votes
0answers
38 views

Time ordering and Fermions

Having time ordering operator for fermions, should it reverse sign if it swaps operators with opposite spin variable? In other words should $T[c_{t_1,\uparrow}c_{t_2,\downarrow}^\dagger]$ return ...
1
vote
0answers
36 views

QFT basics for Klein-Gordon fields

I am teaching myself QFT from Peskin for next years maths course and I have two questions: What is a c-number? Is it a complex number, and if so why does it mean, ...
3
votes
2answers
106 views

Quantum commutator

I'm given this commutator: $$\left[PXP,P\right]$$ Being $P\psi=-i\hbar\partial_x\psi$, and $X\psi=x\psi$ I've solved it in two ways, the first one is just aplying the commutator to some function ...
2
votes
1answer
86 views

Hermitian Adjoint of differential operator

I came across this equation (identity) (Eq. 4 in this paper): $\int(-i d\psi/dx)^*\psi dx = \int \psi^*(-i d\psi/dx) dx + id(\psi^*\psi)/dx\mid_{-\infty}^{+\infty}$ I have trouble proving it. I ...
4
votes
3answers
103 views

Associating a Unitary operator to proper Lorentz transformations?

If one reads eg page 32 of Srednicki where he says: In quantum theory, symmetries are represented by unitary (or antiunitary) operators. This means that we associate a unitary operator U(Λ) ...
2
votes
1answer
56 views

Quantum mechanical analogue of conjugate momentum

In classical mechanics, we define the concept of canonical momentum conjugate to a given generalised position coordinate. This quantity is the partial derivative of the Lagrangian of the system, with ...
-1
votes
1answer
80 views

Operators in quantum mechanics

According to the Quantum Mechanics, can we write $\langle q|p\rangle = e^{ipq}$? If so then how? And if we transfer to integrate formulation then how it will look like?
2
votes
1answer
76 views

Physics Applications of Fredholm Theory:

I find Fredholm theory beautiful, especially the Liouville-Neumann series for solving Fredholm integral equations of the second kind. There seems to be a consensus that these equations are quite ...
1
vote
0answers
26 views

Quantum graph theory: complex spectra

In quantum graph theory, what are the properties of a given graph to own complex conjugated complex eigenvalues, either finite or infinite? Spectral graph theory is as far as I know a not completely ...
3
votes
1answer
61 views

Spectral properties of CFT

What are the general spectral properties of CFT? I mean what is the "spectrum"/eigenvalues of CFT in 2d and d>2 spacetime dimensions? I understand the "spectrum" and "Fock space" realization of Dirac ...
3
votes
1answer
104 views

The issue on existence of inverse operations of $a$ and $a^{\dagger}$

I have asked a question at math.stackexchange that have a physical meaning. My assumption: Suppose $a$ and $a^\dagger$ is Hermitian adjoint operators and $[a,a^\dagger]=1$. I want to prove that ...
10
votes
3answers
313 views

How to tackle 'dot' product for spin matrices

I read a textbook today on quantum mechanics regarding the Pauli spin matrices for two particles, it gives the Hamiltonian as $$ H = \alpha[\sigma_z^1 + \sigma_z^2] + ...
3
votes
5answers
223 views

Math of eigenvalue problem in quantum mechanics

I learned the eigenvalue problem in linear algebra before and I just find that the quantum mechanics happen to associate the Schrodinger equation with the eigenvalue problem. In linear algebra, we ...
1
vote
1answer
64 views

Notational techniques for dealing with creation operators on Fock space

This question is trying to see if anyone has some simple notation (or tricks) for dealing with operators acting on coherent states in a Fock space. I use bosons for concreteness; what I'm interested ...
2
votes
1answer
170 views

Show that for QM operator A: $\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\psi A^{\dagger}A\psi dx = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}(A\psi)^*(A\psi)dx $

I need to show for $$A = \frac{d}{dx} + \tanh x, \qquad A^{\dagger} = - \frac{d}{dx} + \tanh x,$$ that $$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\psi^* A^{\dagger}A\psi dx = ...
2
votes
1answer
123 views

Coordinate representation of quantum ladder operator?

I can't seem to figure out how to derive the coordinate representation of the $a_+$ ladder operator in quantum mechanics. I know that $a_-$ is $\sqrt{\frac{1}{2mwh}} (mwx + i\dot{p}) $ in which where ...
7
votes
1answer
132 views

String theory - OPE and primary operators

First, a disclaimer: I am new to Physics SE, and I am primarily a mathematician, not a physicist. I apologise in advance for the possibly poor quality of the question, any and thank you for your ...
5
votes
3answers
196 views

Why is this identity an if, rather than if and only if?

A recent question (Product of exponential of operators) asked who to proved that the exponentials of operators multiply in same manner as those of scalars if and only if the commutator of the ...
1
vote
0answers
73 views

Explicit evaluation of a radially ordered product

I am trying to understand the application of the operator product expansion to calculate the radially ordered product in the complex plain of $T_{zz}(z)\partial_w X^{\rho}(w)$ which should result in ...
1
vote
2answers
226 views

Deriving a QM expectation value for a square of momentum $\langle p^2 \rangle$

I alredy derived a QM expectation value for ordinary momentum which is: $$ \langle p \rangle= \int\limits_{-\infty}^{\infty} \overline{\Psi} \left(- i\hbar\frac{d}{dx}\right) \Psi \, d x $$ And i ...
0
votes
4answers
374 views

Product of exponential of operators

in the context of non-relativistic quantum mechanics I want to show that, for any $A$ and $B$ operators $$e^{A}e^{B}=e^{A+B} $$ if and only if $$[A,B]=0$$ I remember my professor told use about ...
4
votes
4answers
132 views

How to prove that the symmetrisation Operator is hermitian?

Let $\mathcal{H}_N$ be the $N$ particle Hilbert space. So a quantum state $\left| \Psi \right>$ may be representated by $$\left| \Psi \right> = \left| k_1 \right>^{(1)}\left| k_2 ...
1
vote
3answers
141 views

Operators explaination and momentum operator in QM

I know and understand why equation below holds. But i am new to operator thing in QM and would need some explaination on this. $$\langle x \rangle = \int\limits_{-\infty}^\infty |\Psi|^2 x \, ...
5
votes
2answers
161 views

Weyl Ordering Rule

While studying Path Integrals in Quantum Mechanics I have found that [Srednicki: Eqn. no. 6.6] the quantum Hamiltonian $\hat{H}(\hat{P},\hat{Q})$ can be given in terms of the classical Hamiltonian ...
5
votes
4answers
266 views

Is the momentum operator diagonal in position representation?

The matrix elements of the momentum operator in position representation are: $$\langle x | \hat{p} | x' \rangle = -i \hbar \frac{\partial \delta(x-x')}{\partial x}$$ Does this imply that $\langle x ...
1
vote
1answer
48 views

Question about the linearity of wave functions

For piece-wise constant potential, the potential energy is constant so the time dependent wave function can take the form $\psi(x,t)=C_1e^{i(kx- \omega t)}+C_2e^{i(-kx-\omega t)}$ where ...
1
vote
1answer
95 views

Klein-Gordon Canonical Commutation Relation (CCR)

In the complex Klein-Gordon field we regard as dynamical variables the field $\phi$, the complex conjugate of the field $\phi^*$, and the momenta $\pi$, $\pi^*$. I can't see how should arise the ...
3
votes
1answer
140 views

commutation of operator product expansion

In CFT, when we have an OPE: $$O_1(z)O_2(w)=\frac{O_2(w)}{(z-w)^2}+\frac{\partial O_2(w)}{(z-w)}+...$$ this holds inside a time-ordered correlation function, so $O_1(z)O_2(w)=O_2(w)O_1(z)$. Does it ...
1
vote
1answer
54 views

Can I prove boundedness of an operator without checking it for its whole domain?

(I don't have a direct reference so this is a little fishy and I'll delete it if nobody recognises what I'm talking about, but I though for starters I'll ask anyway) I've heard at university that if ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views

Why there is no operator for time in QM? [duplicate]

Is there one central reason why there is no "Time" operator in QM? I know this question has been asked before, but I thought I would try to stimulate some fresh thinking.
1
vote
2answers
235 views

Derivatives of operators

How do derivatives of operators work? Do they act on the terms in the derivative or do they just get "added to the tail"? Is there a conceptual way to understand this? For example: say you had the ...
0
votes
1answer
127 views

Evaluate Commutator with Partial Derivatives

I need to evaluate the following commutator... $[x(\frac{\partial}{\partial y})-y(\frac{\partial}{\partial x}),y(\frac{\partial}{\partial z})-z(\frac{\partial}{\partial y})]$ i tried applying an ...
3
votes
2answers
143 views

Sum of two density matrices: $\rho=p_1\rho_1+p_2\rho_2$

Suppose we have $$\rho=p_1\rho_1+p_2\rho_2$$ Where $\rho_1$ and $\rho_2$ are density matrices with $p_1+p_2=1$ I'm trying to show this is also a density matrix If we let $$\rho_1=\sum_i^n ...
1
vote
1answer
128 views

Once I have the eigenvalues and the eigenvectors, how do I find the eigenfunctions?

I am using Mathematica to construct a matrix for the Hamiltonian of some system. I have built this matrix already, and I have found the eigenvalues and the eigenvectors, I am uncertain if what I did ...

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