M.Sc.

Physics (Sem-II) 2024

Quantum Mechanics II – Tutorial 1

1. (a) Show Tr(ρ) = 1 in both pure and mixed state.

(b) By some transformation we obtain another state |ψ ′ ⟩ from |ψ⟩. They are related via
|ψ ′ ⟩ = eiθ |ψ⟩. Show that the measure of any operator ⟨A⟩ remains same by such a global
transformation.

2. (a) Consider two spin-1/2 particles, given by |ψ1 ⟩ = (a, b)T and |ψ2 ⟩ = (c, d)T , then what will
be the dimension of the Hilbert space of the composite system.
(b) If any operator for the i-th particle has the form
 
ai b i
M̂i =
ci di

then write the operator for the two-particle (or two-qubit) system.
(c) How do you need to modify M̂1 to make a measurement of it on a state in the 4-d Hilbert
space constructed by you.

3. Consider |↑⟩ and |↓⟩ are the basis states for a spin-1/2 particle.

(a) Write quantum state |ψ⟩ with these two basis states with equal amplitude.
(b) A pure state density matrix for the quantum state with equal probability to be spin 1/2 or
−1/2. And for a mixed state with |↑⟩ and |↓⟩ as basis states with equal probability.
(c) Calculate ⟨σ̂ x ⟩ and ⟨σ̂ z ⟩.
(d) The dipole moment of a charged particle is given by µ ⃗ where γ is called gyromagnetic
⃗ = γ S,
ratio (Griffith’s QM book – Eq. [4.156]). And thus the Hamiltonian for this is given by
⃗ S)
H = −γ(B. ⃗

⃗ = ℏ ⃗σ . Now consider the density matrix ρ̂ corresponding to this H. Using the equation
where S 2
of motion of ρ̂ calculate the polarization vector P⃗ = ⟨⃗σ̂⟩ and its time evolution form.

4. Give an example of a 2-d Hilbert space. We know that any vector ⃗n in 3-d space can be
represented by two angles θ and ϕ, with 0 ≤ θ ≤ π and 0 ≤ ϕ ≤ 2π. And also nx =
sin θ cos ϕ, ny = sin θ cos ϕ, nz = cos θ.
(a) Show that any general state can be written as
θ θ
|ψ⟩ = cos( ) |0⟩ + eiϕ sin( ) |1⟩ (1)
2 2
1

2024 QM 2
 where |0⟩ and |1⟩ are the eigen states of σz . In this any state |ψ⟩ is a point on S 2 and this is
called a Bloch sphere.
(b) Check whether {1, ⃗σ } form a basis set for the operators on a 2 − d Hilbert space. If so,
then check that any operator can be written as Ôl,m = l1 + m.⃗σ . Under what conditions on l
and m, Ô can represent a density matrix ρ̂. You need to show that
1
Ôr = (1 + ⃗r. ⃗σ ) with |⃗r| ≤ 1, ⃗r ∈ R3 (2)
2

(c) For which r, ρ̂ can represent a pure and a mixed state?

(d) Calculate the expectation value of the operator Ĥ = α(B.⃗σ ) in the state given by ρ̂r . Also
calculate ⟨(⃗r.⃗σ )⟩r , what does your answer signify?
(e) For what value of ⃗r, ρ̂r corresponds to a spin 1/2 particles with equal probabilities in states
|0⟩ and |1⟩. What will be the entropy for this? Which point does it correspond to on the Bloch
sphere?
(f) Calculate the density matrix for spin-1/2 particles which are produced in any arbitary
direction on S 2 with equal probability.

5. Consider a system of spin-l particles consists of an incoherent mixture of the following 3 pure
spin states, each state having equal probability.
       
1 0 0 0
1   1  
|ψ1 ⟩ = 0 , |ψ2 ⟩ = √
  1 +√ 0 , |ψ3 ⟩ = 0 .

0 2 0 2 1 1

(a) Find the polarization vector for each of these 3 pure states
(b) Find the polarization vector per particle P for the above mixed state.
(c) Calculate the density matrix ρ for the system and verify that T r(ρ) = 1.
(d) Using ρ, find the polarization vector P and match with results obtained in (b).

2024 QM 2
 M.Sc. Physics (Sem-II) 2024
Quantum Mechanics II – Tutorial 2

(k ) (k )
1. Let Xq1 1 and Zq2 2 be irreducible tensors of rank k1 and k2 respectively. Then
XX
Tqk = ⟨k1 k2 ; q1 q2 |k1 k2 ; kq⟩Xq(k1 1 ) Zq(k2 2 ) (1)
q1 q2

is a spherical (irreducible) tensor of rank k. Use this and construct a spherical tensor of
rank -1 out of two different vectors U = (Ux , Uy , Uz ) and V = (Vx , Vy , Vz ). Explicitly write
1
T±1,0 in terms of Ux , Uy , Uz and Vx , Vy , Vz . (Hint: Since vectors are tensor of rank-1, we have
k1 = 1 = k2 and q = ±1, 0. The C.G. coefficients are non-zero when q = q1 + q2 and
|k1 − k2 | ≤ k ≤ k1 + k2 . Thus k can have values k = 0, 1, 2. Moreover, for q = 1, the
(1)
combination of q1 and q2 can be q1 = 0, q2 = 1 and q1 = 1, q2 = 0. Thus for example T+1 =
(1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1)
⟨11; 01|11; 11⟩U0 V1 + ⟨11; 10|11; 11⟩U1 V0 = √12 (−U0 V+1 + U+1 V0 ). Now U0 = Uz
(1)
and V±1 = ∓ √12 (Ux ± iVy ). Similarly for V . ou can use Fig. 1 to find the corresponding C.G.
coefficients.

2. Relate, as much as possible, the matrix elements

1
⟨n′ , l′ , m′ | ∓ √ ± (x ± iy)|n, l, m⟩ (2)
2
using only the Wigner-Eckart theorem. Make sure to state under what conditions the matrix
(k)
elements are non-vanishing. (Hint: relate ∓ √12 (x ± iy) to spherical tensor Tq of rank-k and
find k and corresponding q. Then use the Wigner-Eckart theorem.

3. The expectation value Q ≡ e⟨α, j, m = j|(3z 2 − r2 )|α, j, m = j⟩ is known as the quadruple

moment. Evaluate e⟨α, j, m′ = j|(x2 − y 2 )|α, j, m = j⟩, (where m′ = j, j − 1, j − 2, ...) in terms
of Q and appropriate Clebsch-Gordan coefficients. (Hint: Use Y2m (x) to construct the tensor.
Then express x2 − y 2 in terms of these tensors. Application of the Wigner-Eckart theorem will
relate e⟨α, j, m′ = j|(x2 − y 2 )|α, j, m = j⟩ to Q.)

1
2024 QM 2
Figure 1: C.G. coefficients for j1 = 1, j2 = 1 and m = 1.

2
2024 QM 2
 M.Sc. Physics (Sem-II) 2024
Quantum Mechanics II – Tutorial 3
Perturbation Theory

1. Effect of an uniform electric field on a charged oscillator: A harmonic oscillator of

mass m, frequency ω and charge e is subjected to a weak uniform electric field E ⃗ = E0 x̂.
(a) Using Perturbation Theory, calculate the changes at the first and second orders in the energy
levels due to the electric field and the changes at first order to the corresponding eigenket.
(b) Compare these perturbative solutions with your exact calculations.
⃗ can be written as
2. The hamiltonian of a spin-1/2 particle in an uniform magnetic field B

⃗ · ⃗σ )
H = −µℏ(B (1)

Consider that B⃗ lies on x-z plane with Bx /Bz = λ ≪ 1.

(a) Determine the eigenvalues of H up to the order λ2 , and the eigenstates up to the order λ.
(b) Calculate the eigenstates and eigenvalues exactly and compare the results.

3. Relativistic correction: A particle moves in a potential V (x) = 21 mω 2 x2 . Its kinetic energy

p2
T = 2m can be an approximation for small velocities, for which the relativistic expression is
given by p
T = p 2 c2 + m 2 c4 (2)
Using perturbation theory calculate the correction in the energy levels upto order 1/c2 .

4. When is perturbative expansion valid? For a system with Hamiltonian H0 we give a

perturbation δH. For a simple case we write H0 as a 2x2 diagonal matrix with the energy
eigenvalues as  0 
E1 0
H0 = (3)
0 E20
Now consider the perturbation having the off-diagonal elements, i.e.,
 
0 λV
δH = (4)
λV ∗ 0

Try to derive the dependence of δH (or λV ) on the unperturbed energy eigen values for the
perturbation expansion theory to be valid?

5. For a quantum system of Hamiltonian H and having its energy eigenvalues En corresponding
to eigenstate |n⟩ is written as
H |n⟩ = En |n⟩ (5)

2024 QM 2
 Assume that now H depends upon a parameter λ, i.e., H = H(λ) and thus En = En (λ). For
this if En ’s are non-degenerate then show that

∂En (λ) ∂H
= ⟨n| |n⟩ (6)
∂λ ∂λ
This is known as Feynman-Helmann theorem.
Use this to show: (a) ⟨T ⟩ = ⟨V ⟩, for a harmonic oscillator.
(b) ⟨V ⟩ = 2En , for hydrogen atom ground state.

6. Perturbation in an infinite square well: Consider a delta-function-like perturbation at

the middle of an infinite square well of length L as δH = λδ(x − L/2), λ being a constant.
(a) Find first-order correction to allowed energies. What is the difference for odd and even
values of n.
(b) Find the first three non-zero terms in the expansion for the correction of ground state ψ11 .

7. For a Hamiltonian H = H0 + H ′ , the unperturbed Hamiltonian H0 has a nondegenerate ground

state, and the perturbation H ′ = iλ[A, H0 ], where λ is a constant and A is a Hermitian operator.
Another Hermitian operator B is such that C = i[B, A].
Expectation values of operators A, B, and C in the unperturbed system are ⟨A⟩0 , ⟨B⟩0 , and
⟨C⟩0 .
a) Calculate the expectation value of B in the perturbed ground state to first order in λ.
b) A three-dimensional isotropic harmonic oscillator is perturbed by an operator λz. Using
the above result, find the value of ⟨z⟩.

2024 QM 2
 M.Sc. Physics (Sem-II) 2024
Quantum Mechanics II – Tutorial 4

1. In a Hydrogen atom, due to interaction between the magnetic moment of the electron with the
magnetic field it generates during its orbital motion leads to an extra term in its Hamiltonian
as (known as spin-orbit interaction)

⃗
H ′ = −µ⃗e · B (1)
e2 ⃗ · L)
⃗
= (S Show this. (2)
2m2 c2 r3
⃗ L
Where S, ⃗ are respectively the spin and orbital angular momentum, n is the principle quantum
number, l is the azimuthal quantum number. For this calculate the first-order corrections to
the energy eigenvalues. You may use
1 1
⟨1/r3 ⟩n,l = (3)
a0 n l(l + 21 )(l + 1)
3 3

⃗ 2 , J⃗2 , S
Hint: Show that the perturbation commutes with each one of, L ⃗ 2 , and Jz and thus is
diagonal in the basis |n, l, j, mj ⟩.

2. Take a mass m moving in an one -dimensional anharmonic potential as

V (x) = µx4 (4)

For this try to obtain an upper bound on the energy of the ground state using variational
method.
Hint: To find a trial wave function we can consider (4) as a harmonic potential as 21 mω(x)2 x2
with a spatially dependent frequency ω(x). This can help us to choose the trial wave function
which can resemble the ground state of a harmonic oscillator potential as
2
ϕ(x) = αe−βx (5)

Find the value of β that minimises ⟨ϕ| H |ϕ⟩ to obtain upper bound on ground state energy.

3. Degeneracy in a 3-d harmonic oscillator Consider a 3-d isotropic harmonic oscillator, i.e.,
ω1 = ω2 = ω3 . In this case, how do you express the Hilbert space for this (you know the eigen
values and states for a 1-d oscillator.)? Then, for any n you can see that it is combination of
nx , ny and nz . What will be the degeneracy for any value of n(> 0) = nx + ny + nz .
Okay, now we need some perturbation to break this degeneracy. Let say, we consider

δH = λx2 yz (6)

2024 QM 2
which makes a coupling between the modes along different direction. For the unperturbed
Hamiltonian you considered the modes/eigenvalues along different directions as independent.
Calculate the energy level shifts which is linear in λ on the
(a) on ground state
(b) on the first excited state which is triply degenerate.
Hint: You can use either creation/annihilation operators, or using the matrix elements explicitly
by doing integrals of the wave functions.

2024 QM 2
 M.Sc. Physics (Sem-II) 2024
Quantum Mechanics II – Tutorial 5

1. Variational method for He atom: The He atom consists of two electrons and thus atomic
number Z = 2. It has mass number A = 4. The mass of its nucleus is ∼ 104 the mass of an
electron. Assuming mnuc → ∞ we define the position of two electrons w.r.to nucleus as ⃗r1 and
⃗r2 and ⃗r12 = ⃗r1 − ⃗r2 . And thus the He atom Hamiltonian is written as
ℏ2 Ze2 Ze2 e2
H=− (∇21 + ∇22 ) − − + (1)
2m r1 r2 r12
For this try tocalculate the following:
(a) Considering there is no repulsive interaction between the electrons, how do you write
the wave function ψE (r1 , r2 ) for this, where E is the ground state energy. And subsequently
calculate the ground state energy of He atom. Does it match with experimentally observed
value ∼ −79 eV.
(b) If not, then use variational method to improve the correction.
(c) Use time independent perturbation theory, to calculate the correction energy.

2. Regarding L-S coupling: In the previous tutorial we see that the magnetic moment of an
electron µe in H-atom is produced due to its spin S ⃗ angular momentum. This is predicted
by the relativistic theory. This L-S coupling along with relativistic correction gives the fine
structure corrections to the energy levels.
However, as you have already seen before the magnetic moment µe can also generated due to
the orbital angular momentum L. ⃗
Thus we write (in general for a charge q)
q ⃗ ⃗
µq = (L + sgn(q)g S) (2)
2m
where g known as Lande g-factor and α = e2 /4πϵ0 ℏc = 1/137 is the fine structure constant.
Already done in the previous tutorial.

3. Zeeman effect The phenomena by which the energy eigenstates of an atomic or molecular
⃗ ext = B0 ẑ, is
system gets modified (splitting) due to an external static magnetic field, say, B
known as Zeeman effect.
Now depending upon the strength of B ⃗ ext there can be three different cases:

(a) Weak field Zeeman effect: If B ⃗ ext ≪ B⃗ int then the external filed can be treated as a
perturbation. In this case, the energy-shifts induced by the magnetic field are much smaller
than those induced by spin-orbit interaction. Then Hz = −(µe · B ⃗ ext ) can be treated as a
perturbation on the eigenstates of H0 + HLS . We know that operators J 2 and Jz commutes

2024 QM 2
 with fine structure Hamiltonian Hf s . They will also commute with the Zeeman Hamiltonian as
well if we choose B⃗ ext along z-direction (as mentioned). Considering |n, l, j, mj ⟩ as the ‘good’
states (simultaneous eigenstates of J 2 and Jz ) we can use non-degenerate perturbation theory
on this. And thus the first-order correction or energy-shift can be written as
∆Enlj± = ⟨l ± 1/2, mj |Hz |l ± 1/2, mj ⟩ (3)
(i) Calculate/obtain the general expression for the first-order energy correction in this.
(ii) For the hydrogen atom ground state n = 1 you can see that the energy level splits into
two. Calculate the corresponding energies.
(iii) Now, how many energy level spilitting will be for n = 2. Correspondingly try to calculate
all the energy level correction using the expression you obtained before. Upon increasing the
electric field will the separation between these splitted levels remain same?

(b) Strong field Zeeman effect: If B ⃗ ext ≪ B⃗ int , then the fine structure is treated as a
perturbation compared to the HB . In this case, the good eigenstates can be |n, l, s, ms ⟩, not
|n, l, j, mj ⟩, (why)? And then, for this, one can use the non-degenerate theory to calculate the
energy corrections. By doing (almost) the similar exercise as in the previous tutorial write the
expression for the 1st order corrections to the energy.
(i) Again consider the states for n = 2. Find the energy of each one under strong-field Zeeman
splitting. This should be the sum of three terms: the Bohr energy, the fine structure contribu-
tion and the Zeeman contribution. If you ignore fine structure completely, how many distinct
levels exist and what are the corresponding degeneracies?

(c) Intermediate field Zeeman effect: In this case B ⃗ ext ≈ B

⃗ int . Thus for n > 1 it is not
straight-forward to use the results of strong-field Zeeman effect to the states used for the weak-
field one because different sets of quantum numbers were used for the unperturbed states. In
this case, we need to consider the intermediate field Zeeman effect in which both the Zeeman
and fine structure perturbation are treated together as perturbation as
H ′ = Hf s + Hz (4)
As there is no ‘good’ states to work simultaneously for both of them, degenerate perturbation
theory needs to be used in the basis |n, l, j, mj ⟩. And then you need the Clebsch-Gordon
coefficients to relate the |jmj ⟩ basis staes with |lml ⟩ |sms ⟩. And the calculations are a bit
complicated. Lets skip these parts for the time being.
4. Two Fermions: Two non-identical spin-1/2 particles of mass m moves along a line of length
a (can’t go < 0 or > a) and interact via a potential
⃗1 · S
V = kS ⃗2 (5)
(a) For this, calculate the Hamiltonian’s eigenvalues and eigen-functions.
(b) What will change if the particles are identical?

Hint: You need to write the total wavefunction of the two Fermion system as
Ψ(1, 2) = ψn1 ,n2 (x1 , x2 )χ(S1 , S2 ) (6)
where you know about ψn1 ,n2 (x1 , x2 ).

2024 QM 2
 M.Sc. Physics (Sem-II) 2024
Quantum Mechanics II – Tutorial - 6

1. Using variational principle with a trial wave function of the form ψ(⃗r) = ae−αr , calculate the
ground state energy of the Hydrogen atom for which the Hamiltonian has the form (already
known to you) H = −ℏ2 /2m∇2 − e2 /r.

2. For the classical description we assume that E > V (x) whereas for E < V (x) describes the
quantum mechanical regime for the particle in a slowly spatially varying potential V (x). Using
this we can write the Schroedinger equation in the form
d2 ψ
= 2m(E − V (x))ψ = p2 (x)ψ(x) (1)
dx2
Assuming the solution as ψ(x) = A(x) exp(iϕ(x)) and under the assumption of a slow variation
of V (x), here A(x)is also a slow varying quantity. Under this assumption we can finally arrive
at
Z
1
ϕ(x) = p(x) dx (2)
ℏ
Z
C  i 
and, thus ψ(x) = p exp ± p(x)dx (3)
p(x) ℏ

which is a solution with the WKB approximation. For this, calculate

(a) the probability density,
(b) the probability current.
What do you comment regarding the continuity equation using these.

3. Use WKB approximation to calculate the probability of a particle being transmitted through
a parabolic barrier with energy E < V0 and the potential V (x) is given as
x2
V (x) = V0 (1 − ) |x| < a (4)
a2
= 0 |x| > a (5)
p
4. For the non-classical region we have E < V (x), and thus p(x) = 2m[E − V (x)] is imaginary.
For this, calculate the probability of tunneling of an α particle through the nuclear potential
barrier.

5. An one dimensional truncated harmonic oscillator has a potential V (x) = 21 mω 2 (x2 − a2 ) with
|x| < a or 0 outside. Also consider the turning points appearing at x = ±c. Find the estimate
for the bound state using WKB. Also, check that under which condition there will be only one
bound state (need to show a relation among the parameters).

2024 QM 2
6. Using semi-classical approximation try to find the radial part of the wave function moving in
a central potential.
Hint: In a central potential the radial part can be written as R(r) = u(r)/r, where u(r) satisfies
the radial equation (as you already know from Hydrogen atom problem). Here assume that
u(r) have a form u(r) = A(r)eiϕ(r)/ℏ .

2024 QM 2
 M.Sc. Physics (Sem-II) 2024
Quantum Mechanics II – Tutorial - 7

1. Energy levels of a 1-d harmonic oscillator is given by

H0 |n⟩ = (n + 1/2)ℏω

Now we give a perturbation to it in a following way

V (t) = −qEx 0 < t < T

=0 otherwise

where q is the charge of the oscillator and E is the electric field. Define Pi→f is the transition
probability of it from an initial state i to a final state f . Calculate
(i) P0→1 as a function of T .
(ii) Show that P0→2 = 0 from the first order perturbation theory.
(iii) Then calculate P0→2 using 2nd order perturbation theory.

2. Consider two spin 1/2 particles represented by S⃗1 and S⃗2 interacting by H = α(t)S
⃗1 · S
⃗2 . Now
let say α(t) has the property limt→±∞ α(t) = 0 and has non-negligible values (order of α0 )
symmetrically for a time interval τ symmetrically about t = 0.
(a) Assuming the system is in a state |+, −⟩ at t → −∞. Calculate the state of the system at
t → +∞. Now, also show that the probability of finding
R ∞ the particle in the state |−, +⟩, i.e.,
P (|+, −⟩ → |−, +⟩) depends only upon the integral −∞ α(t)dt.
(b) Calculate the same probability using the first-order perturbation theory and compare your
results.

3. Consider a three-level system where the unperturbed states are of the form |j, m⟩, with j = 1,
and m = 0, ±1. We define the ordered orthogonal basis as ψ1 ⟩ = |1, −1⟩, |ψ2 ⟩ = |1, 0⟩,
and |ψ3 ⟩ = |1, 1⟩, with ⟨ψi |ψj ⟩ = δij , where |ψi ⟩ are eigenfunctions of the time-independent
Hamiltonian H0

H0 |ψ1 ⟩ = (E0 − ℏω0′ )|ψ1 ⟩

H0 |ψ2 ⟩ = E0 |ψ2 ⟩
H0 |ψ3 ⟩ = (E0 + ℏω0 )|ψ3 ⟩ (1)

Consider the time-dependent perturbation is applied to the system is of the form,

ω1  
V (t) = J+ e−iωt + Ji eiωt , (2)
2
where ω1 is a constant.
(a)Assuming that |ψ(t)⟩ = 3i=1 ai (t)e−iEi t/ℏ |ψi ⟩, write down the differential equations satisfied
P

2024 QM 2
by ai (t).
(b) Assume that |ψ(t = 0)⟩ = |ψ1 ⟩. Show that if we want to calculate a3 (t) by time-dependent
perturbation theory, the calculation must be pursued to second order.
(c) Computer a3 (t) upto second order of perturbation theory. For fixed t, how does the prob-
ability P1→3 (t) = |a3 (t)|2 vary with respect to ω? Show that a resonance appears, not only for
ω = ω0 and ω = ω0′ but also for ω = (ω + ω0′ )/2.

2024 QM 2
Some related theory:
In time-dependent perturbation theory the Hamiltonian is expressed as

H(t) = H0 + δH(t) (3)

as time dependent H(t) does not have energy eigenstates. The time-dependent wave function Ψ(x, t)
which can be derived from time-dependent Schrodinger equation can be written as a x−dependent
part multiplied with e−iEt/ℏ . Such factorization is not possible if H is time dependent. Thus the goal
is to find |Ψ(x, t)⟩ directly. And the Scroedinger equation is

∂Ψ
iℏ = (H0 + δH(t))Ψ (4)
∂t
In typical situations the perturbation acts in some finite time t0 < t < tf and vanishes for t < t0 and
t > tf . Thus both initial and final states can be described in terms of eigenstates of H0 .

In bound state time-independent perturbation theory we were interested for the shift in the
energy values and eigenfunctions of the unperturbed system induced by the perturbation, which
was assumed to be time-independent. However, in time-dependent case, we are usually interested
in time-dependent transitions between eigenstates of the unperturbed Hamiltonian H0 induced by
the perturbation. Time-dependent theory is especially useful in scattering, problems involving the
emission and absorption of radiation, etc. Time-dependent transitions are usually described by the
transition amplitude, defined by
⟨f | U(t) |i⟩ (5)
where U(t) s the exact time evolution operator for the Hamiltonian H(t), and |i⟩ , |f ⟩ are initial and
final states which are of course two eigenstates of the unperturbed Hamiltonian H0 . The transition
amplitude can be regarded as the amplitude to find the system in state |f ⟩ when was known to be
in |i⟩ at t = 0. Thus, the square of the transition amplitude is the transition probability to make a
transition from i → f in time t due to perturbation.

Let us call U0 (t) and U(t) are time evolution operators for unperturbed and the exact one. Since
the full Hamiltonian may depend on time, the exact time-evolution operator also depends on time t.
They actually satisfy the relations:

∂U0 (t)
iℏ = H0 U0 (t) (6)
∂t
∂U(t)
iℏ = H(t)U(t) (7)
∂t
H0 being time independent we can solve the first equation (Eq. (4)) and get the solution as

U0 (t) = e−iH0 t/ℏ (8)

In Eq. (5), H(t) being time dependent we don’t have any simple solution for U(t).

The interaction (I) picture is required to develop the time-dependent perturbation theory. It is
intermediate between the Schroedinger (S) and Heisenberg (H) pictures as discussed in class. In the
S-picture, the kets evolve in time but the operators do not. On the other hand, in H-picture the kets

2024 QM 2
do not evolve but the operators do. And thus the relation between kets in S and I picture are related
via
|ΨI (t)⟩ = U0† (t) |ΨS (t)⟩ (9)
At t = 0 we have |ΨI (0)⟩ = |ΨS (0)⟩. And any operator in both the pictures are related via

AI (t) = U0† (t)AS (t)U0 (t) (10)

If AS is time-independent we have AI is always time-dependent.

Now if we define V(t) as the operator which evolves |ψI ⟩ then we will have

V(t) = U0† (t)U(t) (11)

to be contd.

2024 QM 2
 M.Sc. Physics (Sem-II) 2024
Quantum Mechanics II – Tutorial - 8

1. A hydrogen atom in its ground state is placed between the plates of a capacitor and at time
⃗ = E0 e−t/τ ẑ is applied. What
t = 0 in a time-dependent, but spatially uniform, electric field E
is the probability for the atom to be found in each of the three 2p states when t >> τ ?

2. A particle of mass m is inside a box of length L and in its nth state (energy En ). On a time
scale τ ≪ ℏ/En , the length of the box is increased to 3L. At later times, what is the probability
of finding it in an eigenstate with energy En ?

3. Consider an electron of mass m and charge −e at origin in presence of a magnetic field whose
direction sweeps out a cone with opening angle α with constant angular velocity ω given by
⃗
B(t) = B0 (sin α cos(ωt)î + sin α sin(ωt)ĵ + cos αk̂)

(i) Calculate the normalised eigen states for the time-dependent Hamiltonian given by H(t) =
e ⃗ ⃗
m
(B · S). These represent spin-up and spin-down states along the instantaneous directions of
⃗
the magnetic field B(t).
⃗
(ii) Considering that the electron starts with a spin-up along B(0) given by (cos(α/2), sin(α/2))T ,
calculate its state at time t.
⃗
(iii) From this calculate the probability of going in the spin down state along B(t). Show that
if the external time scale which is given by 1/ω is much larger than the internal time scale
τi = ℏ/(E+ − E− ), then this probability should vanish.

2024 QM 2
 M.Sc. Physics (Sem-II) 2024
Quantum Mechanics II – Tutorial - 9

1. For a spherically symmetric potential, the solution for the wave function given by Schroedinger
equation is
X∞
ψ(r, θ) = Rl (r)Pl (cos θ) (1)
l=0
which is a product of radial part and Pl (x) (Legendre polynomial of order l). In limit r → ∞
the asymptotic form of the wave function becomes
1
ψ(r, θ) ∼ eikz + f (θ)eikr
r→∞
(2)
r
where f (θ) is scattering amplitude. And we write the form for R(r) as
 
sin kr − π2 l + δl
R(r) r→∞ ∼ Al (3)
kr
where δl is phase difference.
(i) Using above two equations to obtain Legendre polynomial expansion of f (θ).
(ii) Show that the total cross section can be obtained as
∞
4π X
σT = 2 (2l + 1) sin2 δl (4)
k l=0

2. If the incident and deflected wave vectors of a particle are ⃗k and ⃗k ′ respectively by a potential
V (⃗r) then the Born approx. for the scatted amplitude is given by
Z
⃗ ⃗ ′ µ ⃗′ ⃗′
fB (k, k ) = − 2
d⃗r e−ik .⃗r V (⃗r) eik .⃗r (5)
2πℏ
where µ is the reduced mass. Now for a central potential it becomes
2µ ∞
Z
fB (q) = − 2 dr sin(qr)rV (r) (6)
ℏq 0
where we consider elastic scattering for which q = |⃗k − ⃗k ′ | = 2k sin(θ/2) where θ is angle of
deflection.

Using this calculate the differential scattering cross section from the Yukawa potential
e−αr
VY (r) = V0 (7)
αr
Then calculate the total scattering cross section.

2024 QM 2
 M.Sc. Physics (Sem-II) 2024
Quantum Mechanics II – Tutorial - 10

1. Calculate the s-wave (l = 0) partial wave phase shift for scattering from a delta function
potential
V (r) = αδ(r − a) (1)
Then show the total scattering cross section is given as

4πa2 β 2
σT ≈ (2)
(1 + β)2

where β = 2mαa/ℏ2 .

2. A particle of mass m is scattered from a spherical repelling potential of region r0 , given as

V (r) = V0 r ≤ r0 (3)
=0 r > r0 (4)

(a) Using Born approx. calculate the total cross-section σT in the limit of low energies.
(b) Calculate σT using partial wave expansion considering only the contribution from s-wave.

3. Show that the s−wave phase shift for a square well of depth V0 and range r0 is
k 
−1 ′
δ0 = −kr0 + tan tan(k r0 ) (5)
k′
where k ′ and k are the wave numbers inside and outside the well.

2024 QM 2