Lecture 3 Date : 22/10/2003

1.3. Postulate 1 : Quantum state

1.3.1. Wave function :
A physical system is decribed by a complex "wave" function Ψ( r ) whose modulus squared
( |Ψ|² = Ψ* . Ψ ) gives the probability to find the system in the neighborhood of r
Probability = dP = | Ψ( r )|² d r
Normalization :
The system is "somewhere " in space => ∫ dp = 1
∫ Ψ* ( r ) . Ψ ( r ) d3 r = 1
d3 r = dxdydz
The set of functions Ψ ( r ) forms a complex vector space called Hilbert space
with scalar product symbolized by (Ψ1 , Ψ2) such that :
( Ψ2 , Ψ1 ) = ( Ψ1 , Ψ2 )*
anti .
linear ( Ψ1 , λ Ψ2 + λ' Ψ2' ) = λ ( Ψ1 , Ψ2) + λ' ( Ψ1 , Ψ2' )
( λΨ1 + λ' Ψ1 ', Ψ2 ) = λ* ( Ψ1 , Ψ2) + λ'* ( Ψ1 ', Ψ2 )
Square norm:
( Ψ , Ψ ) =|| Ψ ||² > 0
Two functions are orthogonal if ( Ψ1 , Ψ2 ) = 0
If Φ and Ψ are orthogonal then
|| Ψ + Φ ||² = || Ψ ||² + || Φ ||²
Φ
+
Ψ

Ψ
Schwartz inequality

| (Ψ1 , Ψ2)|² ≤ || Ψ1 ||² || Ψ2 ||²

Equality holds if : Ψ2 = λ Ψ1 ( / / )
Recall : For real vectors a . b = a b cos ( θ )
(a . b ) ² = a² b² cos² ( θ )

(a . b ) ² = |a|² |b|² cos² ( θ )

(a . b ) ² ≤ |a|² |b|²

b
2.4. Orthogonalisation b
(a . b ) = 0
(a' . b' ) = 0

A possible orthogonalisation procedure a b//

is to decompose one of the 2 vectors into a parallel and orthogonal components

b = b // + b

| b// | = b cos α
| b | = b sin α

(a , b )
cos α =
ab
a
b // / / â =
|a|
b(a , b ) a
b// =
ab |a|

(a , b )
b// = a
a²

(a , b )
b = b - b// = b - a
a²
Grahm - Shmidt decomposition
( Ψ1 , Ψ2 ) = 0 In the Hilbert space

( Ψ1 , Ψ2 )
The state Ψ1 & Ψ2 = Ψ2 - Ψ1
( Ψ1 , Ψ1 )
are orthogonal

( Ψ1 , Ψ2 ) = 0

Physical interpretation :
Initially : two states that are not orthogonal will give some
redundent information .
 set of information
Ψ1
Common
Information

Ψ2

1.5. Dirac notation

| Ψ |² | Ψ |² a
b
r p c

Ψ( r ) Ψ( p ) matrix representation (V1 , U )

position representation momentum representation

∫ Ψ* ( r ) . Ψ ( r ) d3 r ∫ Ψ* ( p ) . Ψ (p ) d3 p v1
V1 = v2
v3 u1
(V1 , U ) = (v1*v2*v3*) u2
u3
Dirac notation
is an abstract notation for the state of the system | Ψ >
(Ψ,Φ)=<Ψ |Φ>