PHYS3040/PHYS7042 Quantum Mechanics II Module 2 Due: 17:00 22/03/24

Extra Tutorial Problems (not assessed)

1. Show that the state |𝜓̃(𝑡)〉 = 𝑈|𝜓(𝑡)〉 is governed by the Schrodinger equation of the form:

𝑑|𝜓̃(𝑡)〉 𝑖
=− 𝐻̃ |𝜓̃(𝑡)〉,
𝑑𝑡 ℏ

̃ = 𝑈𝐻𝑈 † + iℏ 𝜕𝑈 𝑈 † . Explain if it makes sense to use a not-unitary operator to

where 𝐻 𝜕𝑡

transform the state and the Hamiltonian.

2. In Video 2.4, we wrote down the time-dependent Hamiltonian for a system driven with a
circular polarised magnetic field:

̂ = −𝜇. 𝐵 = − ℏω0 σz + ℏ ω1 (σ𝑥 cos(𝜔𝑡) − σ𝑦 sin(𝜔𝑡)) (*)

𝐻 2 2

̂ to the “rotating frame”, as described in the video, and solve the

a) Transform 𝐻
Schrodinger equation for a general case (𝜔0 ≠ 𝜔).
b) Using your solution, plot the amplitude of the Rabi oscillations as a function of the
detuning 𝛿 = 𝜔0 − 𝜔.

3. In the laboratory you do the spin resonance experiment. The excitation coil is oriented
perpendicular to the two big coils. So only one component of the oscillating magnetic field is
present (for example, along x axis). In this case the Hamiltonian of the system is

̂ = − ℏω0 𝜎𝑧 + ℏ ω1 𝜎𝑥 cos(𝜔𝑡) (**)

𝐻 2 2

Transform the Hamiltonian to the rotating frame. Guess why we observe the same physics
which is described by the Hamiltonian (*).

4. Try to justify the conditions which are necessary for two Hamiltonians (*) and (**) to
describe the same state dynamics.
PHYS3040/PHYS7042 Quantum Mechanics II Module 2 Due: 17:00 22/03/24

Question 1

You are welcome to use Mathematica to help you with any of the questions. However, do not
present your answers as a piece of Mathematica code unless it is specified that you can use it
as the primary way to solve the problem. You can use Mathematica plots where appropriate.

Part A (grade: 1-5):

1. Consider the Schrodinger equation (SE):

𝑑|𝜓(𝑡)〉 𝑖
= − 𝐻|𝜓(𝑡)〉.
𝑑𝑡 ℏ

a) Show that the SE conserves probability: 〈𝜓(0)|𝜓(0)〉 = 〈𝜓(𝑡)|𝜓(𝑡)〉. What properties

of the Hamiltonian operator does it imply?
̂ (𝑡)|𝜓(0)〉.
b) For the solution to the SE is given by the evolution operator |𝜓(𝑡)〉 = 𝑈
̂ are necessary to ensure that the probability is conserved. Show
What properties of 𝑈
that these properties are fulfilled for a solution to the SE in the case of time-independent
̂.
Hamiltonian 𝐻
̂ (𝑡) = exp(−𝑖𝐻
c) Use Taylor series to prove that the evolution operator 𝑈 ̂ 𝑡/ℏ) is indeed
a solution to the SE.

2. Consider a problem of an electron in three potential wells (as shown in Fig. 1). Denote states
|1〉, |2〉 and |3〉 to describe the electron localized in the left, middle and right wells,
respectively.

a) By analogy with a double well potential, write down the Hamiltonian for an electron if
we allow for tunnelling between nearest neighbour wells. Assume that the tunnelling
rates are the same and that all the wells are identical (take 𝐸1 = 𝐸2 = 𝐸3 = 0).
b) Find eigenstates and eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian.
c) Assume that at 𝑡 = 0 the electron is prepared in the left well: |𝜓(0)〉 = |1〉. Derive and
plot the probabilities to find the electron in each well as a function of time. Identify
time when the electron is fully transferred to the right well.
d) Can the electron be fully in the middle well at some point of time? Elaborate if the
answer to this question and result of c) are consistent with the expectations for a
classical particle hopping from one well to another.
PHYS3040/PHYS7042 Quantum Mechanics II Module 2 Due: 17:00 22/03/24

Figure 1. An electron in a symmetric three well potentials. States |𝒊〉 form a basis corresponding to the electron localized
in each well. Quantum tunnelling is allowed between nearest wells is described the tunnelling amplitude 𝑨.

Part B (Advanced: grade +0,+1,+2)

a) Consider a three-level system described by the Hamiltonian

̂0 = 𝐸0 |0〉〈0| + 𝐸1 |1〉〈1| + 𝐸2 |2〉〈2|,
𝐻
where {|𝑖〉, 𝑖 = 1,2,3} are energy eigenstates and 𝐸0 < 𝐸1 < 𝐸2 . Assume that at 𝑡 = 0
the system is in its ground state |𝜓(0)〉 = |0〉. Assume that you have an opportunity to
drive the system with an external oscillating field which is coupled to the system via
the Hamiltonian:
𝑉̂ = 𝐴(𝑒 𝑖𝜔𝑡 |0〉〈1| + 𝑒 −𝑖𝜔𝑡 |1〉〈0|) + 𝐵(𝑒 𝑖𝜔𝑡 |1〉〈2| + 𝑒 −𝑖𝜔𝑡 |2〉〈1|).
Assume also that you have a complete control of amplitudes 𝐴, 𝐵 and frequency 𝜔 of
the control field and you can arbitrary change them in time. Derive the protocol which
will allow you to create the state so that probability to find the system in every state
|0〉, |1〉 and |2〉 is equal.
For example, the protocol to find the system in state |1⟩ with probability 1 would be:
ℏ
Set 𝐵 = 0, set 𝜔 = (𝐸1 − 𝐸0 )/ℏ wait for 𝑡 = 𝜋 2𝐴. This protocol induces Rabi

oscillations between states |0⟩ and |1⟩. Waiting for the half of the Rabi period will
transfer the state from the ground state to the excited state.
PHYS3040/PHYS7042 Quantum Mechanics II Module 2 Due: 17:00 22/03/24

The following question is compulsory and assessed for PHYS7042 students; it is optional and
unassessed for PHYS3040 students.

1. Locate and briefly describe (about 300 words) some recent research that uses some of the
concepts or techniques discussed in this module. Points to cover include:

a. What motivates the research? (i.e., the background)

b. What specific scientific question did the research aim to answer? (i.e. the
problem to be solved)
c. What key strategy, techniques or technology did the researchers use?
d. What is the main result?
e. What is the significance of the result? (i.e., the outcome)

Although you may use commentary sites below to find recent research, make sure you locate
and cite the original research article.

Helpful commentary sites:

https://physics.aps.org/

https://www.science.org/commentary/analysis

https://www.nature.com/research-analysis