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Tut 7

This document contains 5 questions regarding quantum mechanics concepts such as degenerate perturbation theory, the Zeeman effect, and the Stark effect. Question 1 explores degenerate perturbation theory for a 2D isotropic harmonic oscillator. Question 2 examines the spin-orbit perturbation and shows that perturbation theory remains valid. Question 3 applies degenerate perturbation theory to find energy corrections for a 3D infinite square well. Question 4 analyzes the Stark effect on hydrogen and how it splits the n=2 state. Question 5 derives the Landé g-factor and energy shift formula for the weak-field Zeeman effect.

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68 views

Tut 7

This document contains 5 questions regarding quantum mechanics concepts such as degenerate perturbation theory, the Zeeman effect, and the Stark effect. Question 1 explores degenerate perturbation theory for a 2D isotropic harmonic oscillator. Question 2 examines the spin-orbit perturbation and shows that perturbation theory remains valid. Question 3 applies degenerate perturbation theory to find energy corrections for a 3D infinite square well. Question 4 analyzes the Stark effect on hydrogen and how it splits the n=2 state. Question 5 derives the Landé g-factor and energy shift formula for the weak-field Zeeman effect.

Uploaded by

Qinglin Liu
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNSW SCHOOL OF PHYSICS

PHYS3111 – Quantum Mechanics


Tutorial 7: Degenerate Perturbation Theory

Question 1
Consider the two-dimensional isotropic harmonic oscillator

p̂2 1
Ĥ0 = + mω 2 r2
2m 2
where r2 = x2 + y 2 and p̂2 = p̂2x + p̂2y .
(a) Show that the Hamiltonian can be written as the sum of two independent oscil-
lators Ĥ0 = Ĥx + Ĥx . Find the energy spectrum and associated degeneracies,
and show that the two-fold-degenerate eigenfunctions of the first excited state
can be written

ψa(0) = xf (r)
(0)
ψb = yf (r)

(b) Firstly consider a perturbation V = λx2 . Show that Vab = 0, and hence ordinary
perturbation theory does not diverge for this perturbation. Obtain the first order
energy shifts of the levels a and b.
(c) Now consider a perturbation V = λ(x − y)2 .
i. Show that Vab 6= 0, and hence first order perturbation theory diverges.
 
(0) (0) (0)
ii. Define the linear combinations ψ± = √12 ψa ± ψb , and show that for
D E
(0) (0)
these eigenstates ψ+ V ψ− = 0.
iii. Find the lowest-order energy shifts of ψ+ and ψ− .
That is, the perturbation selects “good” eigenstates and breaks the degeneracy
between them.

Question 2
Consider the spin-orbit perturbation V̂ = λ l·s presented in Oleg’s lectures. We know
that if we choose the correct eigenfunctions, then first order perturbation theory will
split the degenerate levels into distinct values of j = l + s. l2 is a good quantum
number for this system if H0 is spherically symmetric (assume it is).
(a) Find an operator  that commutes with Ĥ0 and V̂ .
(b) Show that |jlsmi and |j 0 lsmi are eigenstates of  with different eigenvalues.
(c) Hence show that Vj,j 0 = 0 and perturbation theory is valid.

Question 3
Consider the three-dimensional infinite cubical well

0, if 0 < x < 1, 0 < y < 1, and 0 < z < 1
U (x, y, z) =
∞, otherwise

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with solutions ψnx ny nz . The ground state is nondegenerate, while the first excited
state is three-fold degenerate (ψa = ψ211 , ψb = ψ121 , ψc = ψ112 ). Suppose we perturb
the well with a delta function “bump” at the point (1/4, 1/2, 3/4):
V = λδ(x − 1/4)δ(y − 1/2)δ(z − 3/4)
Find the first-order corrections to the energy of the ground state ψ111 and the first
excited states.
Hint: Find the matrix elements of
 
Vaa Vab Vac
V =  Vba Vbb Vbc 
Vca Vcb Vcc
and diagonalise to find the eigenvalues and good eigenstates.

Question 4
Stark shift. A hydrogen atom is placed in a uniform weak external electric field E
in the z-direction. The corresponding perturbation is
V̂ = eEz = eEr cos θ
(You may neglect spin and fine-structure for this problem.)
(a) Show that the ground state energy is not affected by this perturbation (at first
order).
(b) The n = 2 state is 4-fold degenerate (2s and three 2p levels). Using degenerate
perturbation theory, determine the first-order corrections to the energy. Into
how many levels does the n = 2 state split?
(c) What are the “good” wavefunctions for this perturbation? Find the expectation
value of the electric dipole moment (d = −er) for each of these good states.
Answer: mostly zero, some ±3ea0 E.

Question 5
Weak-field Zeeman shift. In a weak magnetic field (Zeeman shift much smaller
than fine-structure splitting), the “good” quantum numbers are n, l, j and mj (but
not ml and ms ). The corresponding perturbation is
 
V̂ = µB B · l̂ + 2ŝ

where µB is the Bohr magneton. To determine the expectation value of l̂ + 2ŝ we


can use a trick. First, we write l̂ + 2ŝ = j + s. If we choose the z-axis such that
B = B ẑ, then we already know the expectation value of j: hji = mj . Furthermore,
the expectation value of s must lie in the z-direction also.
(a) Start by writing hsi = Ahji, where A is some constant. Take the dot product
with j to express A in terms of j 2 and s · j.
(b) Square l = j − s to find s · j and A.
(c) Hence show that the external magnetic field induces a shift
∆E = µB gJ Bmj
where
3 3/4 − l(l + 1)
gJ = +
2 2j(j + 1)
is known as the Landé g-factor.

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