8.

04: Quantum Mechanics Professor Allan Adams

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Thursday Feb 21

Problem Set 3
Due Tuesday Feb 26 at 11.00AM

Assigned Reading:
E&R 5.(all)
Li. 3.(1-3) 5.(2-4)
Ga. 2.(all) 3.2
Sh. 1, 4

1. (20 points) Mathematical Preliminaries: Linear Operators

An operator O ˆ is said to be Linear if, for any functions f (x) and g(x) and for any
constants a and b,
Ô (af (x) + b g(x)) = a Ôf (x) + b Ôg(x)

(a) Which of the following operators are linear?

1̂ = identity 1̂ f (x) = f (x)

Sˆ = squares f (x) Sˆ f (x) = f 2 (x)
Dˆ= ∂ Dˆ f (x) = ∂f (x)
a∂ xx a ∂x
x
Iˆx = 0 dx' Iˆx f (x) = 0 dx' f (x' )
Aˆ = adds 3 Aˆ f (x) = f (x) + 3
P̂g = maps to g(x) P̂g f (x) = g(x)
TˆL = translates by L TˆL f (x) = f (x − L)

(b) What are the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues of the following operators:
1̂ f (x) = f (x)
Ŝ f (x) = f 2 (x)
xˆ f (x) = x f (x)
D̂ f (x) = ∂x f (x)
Explain how your answers change if the space of functions on which your operator
acts is (i) arbitrary functions on the real line (ii) continuous functions on the real
line (iii) continuous functions on the real line which do not diverge at infinity (iii)
square-normalizable continuous functions on the real line.
(c) Show that the eigenfunctions of TˆL are of the form φβ (x) = eβx g(x), where β is
a complex number and g is periodic with period L, g(x+L) = g(x). What is the
eigenvalue of T̂L when acting on φβ ?
2 8.04: Problem Set 3

2. (25 points) Mathematical Preliminaries: More on the Translation Operator

As we’ve seen, the “position” operator, x̂, acts on functions of position, f (x), as,

x̂ f (x) = x f (x) .
ˆ acts on functions of position, f (x), as,
Meanwhile, the “derivative” operator, D,

D̂ f (x) = ∂x f (x) ,

while the “translate–by–L” operator, T̂L , acts on functions of position, f (x), as,

T̂L f (x) = f (x − L) .

(a) Show that

[T̂L , x̂] = −L T̂L .
Note: Two operators are equal if both operators act identically on an arbitrary function
f (x). In equations, Aˆ = B
ˆ if Af
ˆ (x) = B̂f (x) for any function f (x).

(b) Show that T̂L commutes with the derivative operator, i.e. that

[T̂L , D̂] = 0.

(c) Show that

TˆL = e−LD̂
Hint: To define the RHS, use the Taylor expansion ex = 1 + x + 21 x2 + ...
(d) Use (a) and (c) to show that
ˆ x̂ = 1.
D, ˆ

(e) If T̂L f (x) = f (x − L), how does T̂L act on f˜(k), the fourier transform of f (x)?
In other words, what modification of f˜(k) corresponds to translating f (x) by L?
(f) Use parts (c) and (e) to determine how D̂ acts on f˜(k). Does this make sense?
(g) Use to the definition of the position operator and the definition of the fourier
transform to determine how x̂ acts on the fourier transform, f˜(k), of f (x).
(h) Verify that the commutation relation D, ˆ x̂ = 1 ˆ holds whether acting on a
function f (x) or its fourier transform, f˜(x). What lesson do you take from this?
8.04: Problem Set 3 3

3. (25 points) Mathematical Preliminaries: The Meaning of the Commutator

Let Aˆ and B
ˆ be linear operators, and let Cˆ denote their commutator, i.e.

Ĉ ≡ [Â, B̂] .

(a) Show that Ĉ is also a linear operator.

(b) Suppose Aˆ and B ˆ share a common eigenfunction, φab , i.e.

ˆ ab = aφab
Aφ ˆ ab = bφab .
and Bφ

Show that φab must be annihilated by the commutator, i.e.

Ĉφab = 0 .

ˆ B]
(c) Suppose [A, ˆ = 0. Such operators are said to commute. Can  and B̂ share
common eigenfunctions?
(d) Suppose Aˆ and B ˆ commute. Are all eigenfunctions of Aˆ necessarily also eigen­
ˆ
functions of B? If so, explain why; if not, give a simple counterexample.
4 8.04: Problem Set 3

4. (30 points) Operators and Commutators in Quantum Mechanics

As we have seen, in quantum mechanics, position and momentum are represented by
linear operators acting on the wavefunction, ψ(x), as

pˆ ψ (x) = ∂x ψ(x) x̂ ψ(x) = x ψ(x) .

i
Representing observables as operators implies a host of facts about observables in
quantum mechanics. In this problem we will use the results you derived above about
mathematical operators to deduce properties of observables in quantum mechanics.

(a) Using your results in the previous three problems, together with the represen­
tations of the momentum and position given above, show that the position-
momentum commutator takes the value,

[p̂, x̂] = 1̂
i

(b) Can x̂ and p̂ share any common eigenfunctions? If so, give an example; if not,
explain why. Physically, what does this mean?
(c) Can p̂ and TˆL share any common eigenfunctions? If so, give an example; if not,
explain why. Physically, what does this mean?
(d) Suppose Aˆ and B ˆ are the Quantum operators representing two observables of a
ˆ B]
physical system. What must be true of the commutator [A, ˆ so that the system
can have definite values of A and B simultaneously?
(e) Discuss the connection between the uncertainty principle and commutation re­
lations amongst the operators representing observables in Quantum Mechanics.
(Think about this deeply, then discuss briefly. We will return to this in detail
later in the semester.)
(f) Let Ĥ denote the operator representing the “hardness” of an electron, and Ĉ the
“color”. Do Hˆ and Cˆ commute? Explain.
(g) Let φH denote the eigenfunction of H ˆ with eigenvalue +1 (“hard”), and φS that
with eigenvalue −1 (“soft”). Similarly, let φB and φW be the eigenfunctions of Ĉ
with eigenvalues +1 and −1 (“black” and “white”). In the first lecture we argued
that a white electron is a superposition of hard and soft; ditto a black electron.
Using everything you’ve learned thus far, propose explicit representations of φW
and φB as superpositions of φH and φS which are compatible with all of the data
presented in the first lecture.
(h) Why are linear operators so important in quantum mechanics? (Think about this
deeply, then discuss briefly.)
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8.04 Quantum Physics I

Spring 2013

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