# Degeneracy of 2 Dimensional Harmonic Oscillator

If we consider a particle in a 2 dimensional harmonic oscillator potential with Hamiltonian $$H = \frac{\mathbf{p}^2}{2m} + \frac{m w^2 \textbf{r}^2}{2}$$ it can be shown that the energy levels are given by $$E_{n_x,n_y} = \hbar \omega (n_x + n_y + 1) = \hbar \omega (n + 1)$$ where $n = n_x + n_y$. Is it then true that the n$^{\text{th}}$ energy level has degeneracy $n-1$ for $n \geq 2$, and 1 for $0 \leq n \leq 1$?

How common is this scenario where it is possible to calculate the degeneracy of a "general" or "n$^\text{th}$" energy level? How common is this in more complicated quantum systems?

• No, it is not true. In 2 d, the degeneracy is n +1, as @ZeroTheHero 's answer details. Check the n =4 case to reassure yourself. read up on your Jordan map. – Cosmas Zachos Nov 9 '18 at 15:36
• I forgot to take into account the cases where $n_x = 0$ or $n_y=0$. Thanks! – user154080 Nov 9 '18 at 20:02

In the case of the n-dimensional harmonic oscillator, possibly the most elegant method is to recognize that the set of states with total number $m$ of excitation span the irrep $(m,0,\ldots,0)$ of $su(n)$. Thus the degeneracy is the dimension of this irrep.
• For the 2D oscillator and $su(2)$ this is just $m+1$,
• For the 3D oscillator and $su(3)$ this is $\frac{1}{2}(m+1)(m+2)$
• For the 4D oscillator and $su(4)$ this is $\frac{1}{3!}(m+1)(m+2)(m+3)$ etc.
• Perhaps for the benefit of future users, you might use N for su(N) and provide the general formula for the degeneracy $\frac{(m+N-1)}{(N-1)! m!}$ ? – Cosmas Zachos Nov 9 '18 at 20:04