Lecture 08c A Detailed Look at The QM Harmonic Oscillator Problem

FEE3201 Physical electronics A
The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator
Mwema
University of Nairobi
September 2023
WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 1 / 20

Detailed treatment of the QM oscillator
Consider Schrödinger’s equation for the 1-D harmonic oscillator
}2 d 2 1
+ mω 2 x 2 ψ (x ) = E ψ (x )
2m dx 2 2

Consider Schrödinger’s equation for the 1-D harmonic oscillator
}2 d 2 1
+ mω 2 x 2 ψ (x ) = E ψ (x )
2m dx 2 2
ψ (x ) is a normalisable function for physical relevance, i.e., ψ (x ) ! 0

as x ! ∞

p
We now construct units of energy, }ω and length, }/mω resp.
such that
E = ε}ω
and r
}
x=γ
mω
where ε and γ are dimensionless factors for energy and length resp.

In terms of the new units,

r !
}
ψ (x ) = ψ γ
mω


r !
}
ψ (x ) = ψ γ
mω
Hence, r
dψ dψ dγ mω d ψ (γ)
= =
dx d γ dx } dγ


r !
}
ψ (x ) = ψ γ
mω
Hence, r
dψ dψ dγ mω d ψ (γ)
= =
dx d γ dx } dγ
And
r r
d2ψ d mω d ψ d mω d ψ dγ mω d2ψ
2
= = =
dx dx } dγ dγ } dγ dx } d γ2

Hence, in terms of the new variables, Schrödinger’s equation becomes,
}2 mω d2ψ 1 }
+ mω 2 γ2 ψ = ε}ωψ
2m } d γ2 2 mω
or
}ω d 2 ψ 1 2
+ γ }ωψ = ε}ωψ
2 d γ2 2

Hence, in terms of the new variables, Schrödinger’s equation becomes,
}2 mω d2ψ 1 }
+ mω 2 γ2 ψ = ε}ωψ
2m } d γ2 2 mω
or
}ω d 2 ψ 1 2
+ γ }ωψ = ε}ωψ
2 d γ2 2
Simplifying, we obtain
d2ψ
γ2 ψ = 2εψ
d γ2
where ψ is now a function of γ

We seek the eigenfunctions, ψ (γ) and eigenvalues ε of the di¤erential

equation


equation
We note that for any function f (γ),
d d d 2f df d
γ+ γ f = γ2 f γ + (γf )
dγ dγ d γ2 dγ dγ


equation
d d d 2f df d
γ+ γ f = γ2 f γ + (γf )
But,
d df
(γf ) = f + γ
dγ dγ


equation
d d d 2f df d
γ+ γ f = γ2 f γ + (γf )
But,
d df
(γf ) = f + γ
dγ dγ
Hence,
d d d2
γ+ γ f = γ2 +1 f
dγ dγ d γ2

Thus, the eigenvalue problem can be seen to be of the form
d d
γ+ γ ψ (γ) = (2ε + 1) ψ (γ)
dγ dγ

d d
γ+ γ ψ (γ) = (2ε + 1) ψ (γ)
dγ dγ
Similarly,
d d
γ γ+ ψ (γ) = (2ε 1) ψ ( γ )
dγ dγ

d d
γ+ γ ψ (γ) = (2ε + 1) ψ (γ)
dγ dγ
Similarly,
d d
γ γ+ ψ (γ) = (2ε 1) ψ ( γ )
dγ dγ
We will solve the di¤erential equation for the eigenfunction of the

ground-state and use this as the starting point for the excited states
by induction

For the ground-state, there are two possible eigenvalues and

eigenfunctions using the two versions of the eigenvalue formulation


We …rst consider the formulation,
d d
γ+ γ ψ (γ) = (2ε + 1) ψ (γ)
dγ dγ


We …rst consider the formulation,
d d
γ+ γ ψ (γ) = (2ε + 1) ψ (γ)
dγ dγ
This will hold only if

1
ε=
2

Hence,
d
γ ψ (γ) = 0
dγ

Hence,
d
γ ψ (γ) = 0
dγ
Or
γ2
ψ (γ) = A exp
2
where A is a constant

Hence,
d
γ ψ (γ) = 0
dγ
Or
γ2
ψ (γ) = A exp
2
where A is a constant
Since we require that ψ (γ) ! 0 as γ ! ∞, this solution is not

physically meaningful

Now consider the formulation,

d d
γ γ+ ψ (γ) = (2ε 1) ψ ( γ )
dγ dγ

Now consider the formulation,

d d
γ γ+ ψ (γ) = (2ε 1) ψ ( γ )
dγ dγ
We see that this will hold only if

1
ε=
2

Hence, we have,
d
γ+ ψ (γ) = 0
dγ

Hence, we have,
d
γ+ ψ (γ) = 0
dγ
Or
γ2 γ2
ψ (γ) = A+ exp = A0 exp
2 2

Hence, we have,
d
γ+ ψ (γ) = 0
dγ
Or
γ2 γ2
ψ (γ) = A+ exp = A0 exp
2 2
In this case, we see that the normalisation requirement for ψ (γ) is

satis…ed

The ground-state energy is then,

1
E0 = }ω
2


1
E0 = }ω
2
And the ground-state eigenfunction by,
x2
ψ0 (x ) = N0 exp
2α2
where r
}
α=
mω


1
E0 = }ω
2
x2
ψ0 (x ) = N0 exp
2α2
where r
}
α=
mω
N0 is an appropriate normalisation constant


1
E0 = }ω
2
x2
ψ0 (x ) = N0 exp
2α2
where r
}
α=
mω
N0 is an appropriate normalisation constant
Note that the eigenfunction and eigenvalue of the n-th excited state
satisfy the eigenvalue problem of either form
Consider the eigenvalue problem in the form,
d d
γ+ γ ψn (γ) = (2εn + 1) ψn (γ)
dγ dγ

d d
γ+ γ ψn (γ) = (2εn + 1) ψn (γ)
dγ dγ
We operate on both sides by the operator

d
γ
dγ

d d
γ+ γ ψn (γ) = (2εn + 1) ψn (γ)
dγ dγ
We operate on both sides by the operator

d
γ
dγ
Which yields,
d d d
γ γ+ γ ψn ( γ )
dγ dγ dγ
d
= (2εn + 1) γ ψn ( γ )
dγ

Thus, the function

d
γ ψn ( γ )
dγ
must be an eigenfunction ψ (γ) of the problem
d d
γ γ+ ψ (γ) = (2ε 1) ψ ( γ )
dγ dγ

Thus, the function

d
γ ψn ( γ )
dγ
d d
γ γ+ ψ (γ) = (2ε 1) ψ ( γ )
dγ dγ
Its associated eigenvalue is given by
2ε 1 = 2εn + 1 ) ε = εn + 1
i.e., a higher energy

Thus, the function

d
γ ψn ( γ )
dγ
d d
γ γ+ ψ (γ) = (2ε 1) ψ ( γ )
dγ dγ
Its associated eigenvalue is given by
2ε 1 = 2εn + 1 ) ε = εn + 1
i.e., a higher energy
γ d /d γ is therefore an energy raising operator

When this operator operates on ψn (γ) with associated eigenvalue εn ,

it yields an eigenfunction ψn +1 (γ) with eigenvalue εn +1 = εn + 1

When this operator operates on ψn (γ) with associated eigenvalue εn ,

it yields an eigenfunction ψn +1 (γ) with eigenvalue εn +1 = εn + 1
The ground-state eigenvalue can then be used to generate in…nitely

many eigenvalues and their associated eigenfunctions to describe
excited states of the harmonic oscillator

The …rst and second excited states are thus,
3 d γ2
ε1 = , ψ 1 ( γ ) = A1 γ exp
2 dγ 2

The …rst and second excited states are thus,
3 d γ2
ε1 = , ψ 1 ( γ ) = A1 γ exp
2 dγ 2
And
2
5 d γ2
ε2 = , ψ 2 ( γ ) = A2 γ exp
2 dγ 2

We can therefore construct an in…nite sequence of energy eigenvalues

and eigenfunctions labeled with the quantum numbers, n = 0, 1, 2, . . .
as,
1 d n γ2
ε n = n + , ψ n ( γ ) = An γ exp
2 dγ 2
1
En = n+ }ω
2


as,
1 d n γ2
ε n = n + , ψ n ( γ ) = An γ exp
2 dγ 2
1
En = n+ }ω
2
And r
x x2 }
ψn (x ) = Nn Hn exp , α=
α 2α2 mω


as,
1 d n γ2
ε n = n + , ψ n ( γ ) = An γ exp
2 dγ 2
1
En = n+ }ω
2
And r
x x2 }
ψn (x ) = Nn Hn exp , α=
α 2α2 mω
Nn is a normalisation constant and Hn (x /a) the Hermite polynomial
of order n

To complete the solution, we now need to show that E0 = }ω/2 is

indeed the lowest energy of a harmonic oscillator with frequency ω in
the ground-state


the ground-state
We apply the operator γ + d /d γ to the second formulation of the
eigenvalue problem
d d
γ γ+ ψn (γ) = (2εn 1) ψn ( γ )
dγ dγ


the ground-state
We apply the operator γ + d /d γ to the second formulation of the
eigenvalue problem
d d
γ γ+ ψn (γ) = (2εn 1) ψn ( γ )
dγ dγ
This yields,
d d d
γ+ γ γ+ ψn ( γ )
dγ dγ dγ
d
= (2εn 1) γ + ψn ( γ )
dγ

Or
d d
γ+ γ ψ (γ) = (2ε + 1) ψ (γ)
dγ dγ

Or
d d
γ+ γ ψ (γ) = (2ε + 1) ψ (γ)
dγ dγ
Where
d
ψ (γ) = γ+ ψn ( γ )
dγ
and
2ε + 1 = 2εn 1 ) ε = εn 1

Or
d d
γ+ γ ψ (γ) = (2ε + 1) ψ (γ)
dγ dγ
Where
d
ψ (γ) = γ+ ψn ( γ )
dγ
and
2ε + 1 = 2εn 1 ) ε = εn 1
γ + d /d γ is therefore an energy lowering operator

When we apply this operator to the ground-state eigenfunction

ψ0 (γ), we obtain,
d γ2 γ2 γ2
A0 γ+ exp = γA0 exp γ exp =0
dγ 2 2 2

When we apply this operator to the ground-state eigenfunction

ψ0 (γ), we obtain,
d γ2 γ2 γ2
A0 γ+ exp = γA0 exp γ exp =0
dγ 2 2 2
Hence, E0 is indeed the lowest energy of the harmonic oscillator

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FEE3201 Physical electronics A

The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 1 / 20

Consider Schrödinger’s equation for the 1-D harmonic oscillator

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 2 / 20

Consider Schrödinger’s equation for the 1-D harmonic oscillator

ψ (x ) is a normalisable function for physical relevance, i.e., ψ (x ) ! 0

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 2 / 20

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 3 / 20

In terms of the new units,

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 4 / 20

In terms of the new units,

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 4 / 20

In terms of the new units,

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 4 / 20

Hence, in terms of the new variables, Schrödinger’s equation becomes,

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 5 / 20

Hence, in terms of the new variables, Schrödinger’s equation becomes,

where ψ is now a function of γ

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 5 / 20

We seek the eigenfunctions, ψ (γ) and eigenvalues ε of the di¤erential

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 6 / 20

We seek the eigenfunctions, ψ (γ) and eigenvalues ε of the di¤erential

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 6 / 20

We seek the eigenfunctions, ψ (γ) and eigenvalues ε of the di¤erential

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 6 / 20

We seek the eigenfunctions, ψ (γ) and eigenvalues ε of the di¤erential

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 6 / 20

Thus, the eigenvalue problem can be seen to be of the form

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 7 / 20

Thus, the eigenvalue problem can be seen to be of the form

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 7 / 20

Thus, the eigenvalue problem can be seen to be of the form

We will solve the di¤erential equation for the eigenfunction of the

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 7 / 20

For the ground-state, there are two possible eigenvalues and

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 8 / 20

For the ground-state, there are two possible eigenvalues and

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 8 / 20

For the ground-state, there are two possible eigenvalues and

This will hold only if

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 8 / 20

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 9 / 20

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 9 / 20

Since we require that ψ (γ) ! 0 as γ ! ∞, this solution is not

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 9 / 20

Now consider the formulation,

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 10 / 20

Now consider the formulation,

We see that this will hold only if

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 10 / 20

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 11 / 20

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 11 / 20

In this case, we see that the normalisation requirement for ψ (γ) is

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 11 / 20

The ground-state energy is then,

WM (UoN) The quantum mechanics harmonic oscillator 09/01 12 / 20