Problem set - 2

(Spring 2023)
Quantum Physics (Spring 2022)
[Mathematical tools - Linear algebra]

1. Consider two kets |ψ1 i and |ψ2 i in a 3 dimensional vector space, which is expressed in terms
of an orthonormal basis {|φi i}, with i = 1, 2, 3, in the following way

|ψ1 i = (3 + 2i) |φ1 i + |φ2 i + (5 − i)|φ3 i, |ψ2 i = 2|φ1 i − |φ2 i + 3|φ3 i

(a) Normalize the kets |ψ1 i and |ψ2 i and call them |ψ̃1 i and |ψ̃2 i respectively.
(b) Find hψ̃1 |ψ̃2 i and hψ̃2 |ψ̃1 i.

2. Show that
hψ|AB|φi? = hφ|(B † A† )|ψi

If you use any property of Adjoint operators then you should prove it using its definition.

3. Consider the following matrix  

1 0 0
A = 0 0 −i
 

0 i 0

(a) Write down the eigenvalues of A.

(b) Obtain the eigenvectors of A, and check whether they are orthonormal. If yes, then
investigate if this orthonormal set of eigenvectors is unique?

4. Consider the following matrix  

1 0 3
A = 0 −2 0
 

3 0 1

(a) Write down the eigenvalues of A. What are the multiplicity of these eigenvalues?
(b) Obtain the eigenvectors corresponding to these eigenvalues. Write down the degeneracy
of each of these eigenvalues and compare it with the multiplicity.
(c) Write down an orthonormal set of eigen vectors for this matrix. Is this unique?

5. Consider the following two matrices

   
1 0 0 1 0 0
A = 0 −1 0  , B = 0 0 1
   

0 0 −1 0 1 0

(a) Find the quantity AB − BA (it is called the commutator of A and B, and is denoted
by [A, B] ). The product here is a matrix multiplication.
(b) Is it possible to find an orthonormal basis of eigenvectors which is common to both the
matrices simultaneously. If yes, is it unique?

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