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AQM Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of the document discusses the concept of identical particles in advanced quantum mechanics, highlighting how their exchange affects physical systems. It covers the wave function of N-particle systems, the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, and the significance of interchange symmetry in determining particle statistics. The chapter also differentiates between symmetric and antisymmetric states, explaining their implications for bosons and fermions.

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11 views14 pages

AQM Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of the document discusses the concept of identical particles in advanced quantum mechanics, highlighting how their exchange affects physical systems. It covers the wave function of N-particle systems, the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, and the significance of interchange symmetry in determining particle statistics. The chapter also differentiates between symmetric and antisymmetric states, explaining their implications for bosons and fermions.

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Nada Diaa
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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Chapter 2 :

Identical Particles
ADVANCED Q UANTUM M ECHANICS
CODE: PHYS3505
Identical Particles
 Many physical systems consist of many particles.
 When particles are identical, exchanging them has physical consequences.
 Quantum mechanics treats identical particles differently from classical physics
 Systems with more than one particle are called many-body systems
Examples:
◦ Atoms, molecules
◦ Solids, liquids, gases

Number of particles can range from:


◦ Few particles (2–300)
◦ Very large numbers (~10²³)
Wave Function of an N-Particle System
 An N-particle system is described by a single wave function:
 Ψ 𝑟⃗1 𝑟⃗2 … 𝑟⃗ 𝑡
 ∣ Ψ ∣2 gives the probability of finding all particles at specific positions
 Must satisfy the normalization condition
Time-Dependent Schrödinger Equation
The time-dependent Schrödinger equation

The wave function evolves according to:

𝑖ℏ = 𝐻Ψ

𝐻is the Hamiltonian operator of the system


 Hamiltonian for N Particles
General form:
Time-Dependent Schrödinger Equation
Operators corresponding to different particles commute; for instance, the commutation
relations between the position and momentum operators are

where 𝑋 is the 𝑥-position operator of the 𝑗th particle, and


𝑃 the 𝑥-momentum operator of the 𝑘th particle; similar relations can be obtained for the 𝑦and
𝑧components.
Stationary States
If the potential does not depend on time:
/ℏ
Ψ 𝑟⃗1 … 𝑟⃗ 𝑡 = 𝜓 𝑟⃗1 … 𝑟⃗ 𝑒
The time-independent Schrödinger equation

The expectation values of time-independent operators are conserved

Energy 𝐸is conserved


Interchange Symmetry
Multi-Electron Atoms
Example: atom with 𝑍electrons
Hamiltonian includes:
◦ Electron kinetic energy
◦ Electron–nucleus attraction
◦ Electron–electron repulsion

Exact solutions are very difficult


Often solved using approximations
Interchange Symmetry
Exchange (Permutation) Operator
Exchange operator 𝑃 :
◦ Interchanges particles 𝑖and 𝑗

𝑃 𝜓 … 𝜉 … 𝜉 … =𝜓 … 𝜉 … 𝜉 …
Applying the operator twice gives:
𝑃2 = 1
Symmetric and Antisymmetric States
Eigenvalues of 𝑃 1+ :or −1
Symmetric wave function:
𝜓 … 𝜉 … 𝜉 … =𝜓 … 𝜉 … 𝜉 …
Antisymmetric wave function:
𝜓 … 𝜉 … 𝜉 … = −𝜓 … 𝜉 … 𝜉 …
Interchange Symmetry
Symmetry under exchange determines particle statistics
Leads to:
◦ Bosons → symmetric wave functions
◦ Fermions → antisymmetric wave functions
Antisymmetric states imply Pauli Exclusion Principle
Example – Symmetry of Functions
Functions can be:
◦ Symmetric
◦ Antisymmetric
◦ Neither
Determined by swapping variables 𝑥1 𝑥2
Interchange Symmetry
Interchange Symmetry
Systems of Distinguishable Noninteracting
Particles
The Schrödinger equation of the 𝑁-particle system
Systems of Distinguishable Noninteracting
Particles

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