Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc.
M.Sc. Course

M.Sc.- Course
Semester- I
Prof. Dr. Hassan N. Al
Al-Obaidi
Oct. 2014

Physics Department,
Education College,
Al-Mustansyriyah University
versity

Advanced Quantum Mechanics

Syllabus
Chapter One: Summary and Revision of The Quantum Mechanical
Concepts
1-1 Rules Of Quantum Mechanics
1-2 Linear Harmonic Oscillator
1-3 Hydrogen Like Atoms
1-4 Angular Momentum
1-5 Rigid Rotator
Chapter Two: Matrix Formulation of Quantum Mechanics
2-1 Matrix Representation of Vectors
2-2 Matrix Representation of Wave Functions and Operators
2-3 Matrix Treatment of L.H.O.
2-4 Matrix Treatment of The Radial Angular Momentum
2-5 Matrix Treatment of The Spin Angular Momentum
2-6 Paulis Spin Matrices
Chapter Three: Correction Methods
3-1 Time Independent None Degenerate Perturbation Theory
3-2 Stark Effect On Simple Harmonic Oscillator
3-3 Time Independent None Degenerate Perturbation Theory
3-4 Stark Effect On Hydrogen Like Atoms
3-5 Variation Methods
3-6 Helium Atom
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Department of Physics/College of Education

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Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

Chapter Four: Time Dependant Quantum Mechanics

4-1 Formal Theory
I- Schrdinger Picture
II- Heisenberg Picture
III- Interaction Picture
4-2 Time Dependant Perturbation Theory
4-2-1 Basic Theory
4-3 Applications
4-3-1 Step Function Perturbation
4-3-2 Harmonic Perturbation
References:
1- Quantum Mechanics by Landau and Lifshits
2- Quantum Mechanics by Schiff
3- Quantum Theory by Bohm
4- Theory and Application of Quantum Mechanics by Ammon Yariv
5- Quantum Mechanics- An Introduction by Greiner

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Department of Physics/College of Education

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Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

Chapter One
Summary and Revision of Quantum Mechanics Concepts
1-1 Rules of Quantum Mechanics
Rule-1
In Q.M. the dynamical state of a system is described by a wave
function (r,t) which contain all what can be known about the system.
This wave function must satisfies three important conditions namely :
i- Finite
ii- Continuity
iii- Singularity
Accordingly,

one

can

define

the

probability

density

to be the probability per unit length of finding the particle at a point x. In

three dimension it may represent the probability of finding the particle
per unit volume:

Pd = (x, y, z) 2
Hence, the probability of finding the particle within the volume V is :

Pv = x y z (x, y, z) 2 dxdydz

Pv = v (x, y, z) 2 d
If one extending the above integration over all of the system space , then
the probability becomes certainty (1). i.e .

Pt = a.s (x, y, z) 2 d = 1
This equation called the normalization condition. However, any function
satisfy this condition called normalized. Elsewhere it must be
normalizable .i.e:
+

(x, y, z) d = 1

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Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

Rule-2
In Q.M. every observable quantity A represent by a mathematical
operator . Accordingly, in order to measure the observable A it is
necessary to solve the Eigen value equation;
=a
A
n
n
n

Where, a n are the possible results of the measurement that doing and
n are possible states of the system which called Eigen functions. If the

system has state n satisfying the Eigen value equation then the
measurement of A definitely yield to the number a n .

Notes
1) Operator is said to be Hermitean when satisfying the relation:
+

*
d = (A
A
m
m n ) d
-

i- Eigen value corresponds to any Hermitean operator are real

quantities.i.e.

a n = a n*

(Prove)

ii- Eigen functions corresponding to different eigen values are always

orothagonal.i.e
+

d = 0
A
m

nm

(Prove)

iii- One can directly define the orthonormality condition as:

+

d = = 0
A
m
nm
1

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nm
n=m

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Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

2) The functions n form a complete set of functions which in their

terms any arbitrary function f(x) can be expand:

f(x) = a n n

Completness Principle

3) It can be directly realized that the total probability is conserved. i.e.

dP t /dt = o

(Prove)

A system is said to be in a stationary state if it has a wave function of the

form n (x, t) = n (x) e -iEt/h and satisfying the relation above.
4) The flow of probability density at a position x is given by the
probability current density:
r
v ih v
S=
( )
2m

(Prove)

Which satisfy the continuity equation:

dPt v v
+ .S = 0
dt

(Prove)

Rule-3
If the system is in state which is not an eigen state of a such
observable, then it is not possible to say with certainty what measured
value will be found for A. Therefore, one has to use the average value
which called in Q.M. expectation value of A, and defined mathematically
by:
d / d
A =< A >= A

d
= A

for normalised

The probability that the measurement will yield the value a n

is defined by:

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2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

Pn = n d / d
Pn = n d

for normalised

The integration in last two equations called overlap integral. ( Explain)

Note:
1) Expectation vale of an observable A is the sum of the possible eigen
values a n times the corresponding partial probability in that state. i.e.
2

A = c n a n
n

2) One can prove that: Pn = c n

and

cn

=1

Rule-4
When the function n are a set of eigen functions of a two different
and B
. i.e. A
= a and B
n = b n n . Then the
operators A
n
n
n
observables A and B are said to be compatible and their relatives

[ ]

,B
= 0 . This means when a particle
operators must be commute. i.e. A
described by the eigen state wave function n , the measurement of A
and B will yield to precise results a n and b n respectively. However,
and B
are not commute, the values of A and B
when the operators A
cannot be predicted simultaneously.

Therefore, to determine these

observables one has to use the expectation value <A> and <B>.
Since expectation value is the average of the probability distribution
that governs the measured results. Then the spread of the probability
distribution, which called Variance may represented by the root-meansquare deviation of the measured result, which defined by:

A = (A A 2 )

1/2

, B = (B B 2 )

Or
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Department of Physics/College of Education

A = A 2 A 2

1/2

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

, B = B2 B 2

1/2

(Prove)

Rule-5

)
,B
= C , then
If two observables A and B do not commute, i.e. A

[ ]

in a series of measurements of A and B for a system having any wave

function , A B C . For example x p x h and E t h
(prove)

H.W) Show that: [x, p x ] 0

Rule-6
In Q.M. the equation of motion can be realized directly from the wellknown Ehernfests theorem:
& = i H
& =A

,A
A
h

[ ]

(Prove)

As shown in the formula:

& = i H

,A
A
h

[ ]

(Prove)

Equation of motion announce that, an observable A is a constant of

motion (conserved) when its operator commute with the Hamiltonian
Operator.

H.W) Show that:

i- The momentum p is conserved for a free particle.

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V
p
ii- x& = x , p& x =
m
x

Notes
1) Degeneracy in Q.M. refers to the case when there are more than
one eigen function correspond to the same eigen value. The
number of these eigen functions is called the degree of degeneracy.
2) Some wave function have a property that they have an even of odd
symmetry with respect to the reflection in the coordinate around
the

origin.

This

symmetrical

property

Mathematically:

(x) = [

n (x) = rn n (-x)
H.W: Show that: R

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+ ( x)
( x)

called

Parity.

Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

1-2 Linear Harmonic Oscillator

According to classical mechanics, L.H.O. defined as ; a particle of
mass m executing small oscillation under the action of the restoring
force:
F = k x

Where k is the proportional constant which called force constant or

Stiffness. The physical meaning of the minus sign is that the force F in a
direction opposite with particle displacement x.
The problem of H.O. in quantum mechanics has a very importance due
to many systems can be represented approximately as a harmonic
oscillators such as atomic vibrations in molecules and solid bodies,
vibrations of the electromagnetic radiation, , etc.

1-2-1 Classical Theory of L.H.O.

From Newtons second law, equation of motion of H.O. can be setup to
be:

&x& + 2 x = 0 , =

k
m

Where is the angular frequency. With the solutions: x = a cost and

x = a sin t . Which represent an oscillatory motion of angular frequency

and amplitude a. The potential is related to the force by:

F=

V
x

So that:
1
V(x) = m 2 x 2
2

Which is a parabolic curve. Hence the total energy is:

1
1
E = T + V(x) = mx& 2 + m2 x 2
2
2

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1
E = m 2 a 2
2

Notes:
1) The minimum energy of H.O. is zero.
2) The energy of H.O. has a continuous spectrum of values.
3) The probability density of finding the oscillating particle has an
inverse proportionality with its speed.
4) There is no imposed maximum energy

1-2-2 Quantum Theory of H.O.

Schrodinger equation is the tool by means any quantum mechanical
problem can be analyzed;

H n = En

h 2 2 1
2
+ m2 &x& }n = E n n
2
2m x
2

Assume that;
y=

m
x
h

and

n
n = 2E
h ...........(1)

One may reach:

2 n
+ ( n y 2 ) n = 0......... .......(2)
2
y

I) Schrdinger Treatment
For y >> n equation (2) reduced to ;
2 n
y 2 n = 0......... .......(3)
2
y

It is obvious that the solution of equation (3) is;

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1
y2
(y) = e 2 ...................(4)

In order to reach the exact solution of equation (2), multiply it by an

arbitrary function of y as follows:

1
y2
(y) = f(y) e 2 ............(5)

When equation (5) is substituted in equation (2) one can find that:
f(y) = H n (y) = (-1) e y

dn
dy n

e-y

With

n = 2 n + 1 and n = 0,1,2,3,.. .
Which is a Hermit polynomial of degree n. From equation (1) one find:
E n = h(n + 12 )......... (6)
This equation represent the total energy of the harmonic oscillator. It is
seen that this energy is quantized and the minimum energy that the H.O.
can take is:
E 0 = 12 h zero point energy
However, the normalized wave function of H.O. is:

n (y) = Nn

1
y2
e 2 H

n (y)............(7)

Where Nn is the normalized constant.

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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc.
M.Sc. Course

A simplified diagram clarifying the potential energy curve and the eigen values, eigen
wave functions curves of the first three states of the H.O. system.

H.W.:
1) By using the definition of the generation function show that:

Nn = (

1
)1/2
2 n!
n

and
nd N n = (

mh 1/2
)
2n n!

2) Prove that:
a-

dH n (y)
dy

= 2n H n -1 (y)

c- yn (y) =
e-

1
2

n
2

n1(y) +

b- yH n (y) = 12 H n +1 (y) + nH n -1 (y)

n+1
2 n+1 (y)

d-

(y + dyd ) n (y) = n n -1 (y)

f-

d n (y)
dy
1
2

= -y n (y) + 2n n1 (y)

(y - dyd ) n (y) = n + 1 n+1 (y)

Note:
The mathematical operators

d
1
(y dy
)
2

and

d
1
(y + dy
)
2

are called

destruction and creation operators and denoted respectively by: a +n and a n

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Department of Physics/College of Education

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Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

3)Show that;

a = (2mh ) 1/ 2 (mx + ip x )

a-

b- a + = (2mh )1/ 2 (mx ip x )

= h(a +a + 1 )
d- H
2

c- a , a + = 1
e- x = (h/2m)1/2 (a + + a)

f- p x = i(hm / 2)1/2 (a a + )

II) Operator Treatment

Equation (2) can be rewritten in the form:
1
h (a + a + )n = E n n ......(8)
2

By using the identity; a , a + = 1, and multiplying from the left by a + one

may obtain:

(a + n ) = (En + h )(an )
H
Actually this is a Schrdinger equation for a system in state (a + n )
with eigen value (E n + h ) since;

a + n = n + 1 n+1 .......(9)
Thus:
E n + h = E n +1

........( 10 )

Then:

n +1 = E n +1 n +1
H
By following a same procedure using the destruction operator one may
get:
E n h = E n -1

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Department of Physics/College of Education

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Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

Now let E0 and 0 to be the energy and wave function of the ground
state. So:

n +1 = E n +1 n +1
H
Since there is no eigen state has energy lower than E0 , so:

0 = 0
H

...........(11)

Schrdinger equation for the state 0 is:

0 = E00 h (a + a + 1 ) = E E = 1 h
H
n
n n
0
2
2
This establish the button end of the energy level ladder and hence
determine all of the energy levels with aid of equation (10). Therefore,
one may have:

E n = h(n + 12 )
From equation (11) one can find the ground state eigen function 0 to
be:

0 = 1/4e y

/2

(even)

Hence, all the state wave functions may built up with aid of equation (9)
to be:

n (y) = (2n n! )-1/2 e y

/2

H n (y) .(12)

1-2-3 Comparison Between Classical and Quantum Theory

The comparison results between classical and quantum mechanics
reveal that;
1- The minimum energy (i.e. energy of the ground state) is not zero.
2- The energy levels are discrete.
3- The probability density of L.H.O. is given by;
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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc.
M.Sc. Course

1-3 H-Like Atoms

These atoms have only one electron moves around their nucleus under
the action of Coulombs force: F = kz 2 e 2 /r 2 . Thus, the potential of these
atoms has the form V(r) = k/r . It can be seen that V(r) is only depend
on the radial distance between the electron and the nucleus. So, it is
called central potential and system has such a potential called spherically
symmetrical potential system. S.E for such systems can setup to be as
follows:

h 2 2
(r) + V(r) (r) = E (r) (13)
2m
It is more convenient to use the spherical polar coordinates instead of the
Cartesian one to deals with such a problems. Where:

x r(0 r)
radial co.

y (0 )

z (0 2 )

zenithal co.

azmuthal co.

As well as d = dr rd r sin d = r 2 sin dr d d

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Department of Physics/College of Education

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Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

The converting equations are:

x = r sin cos , y = r sin sin and z = r cos

Or inversely:

1/ 2

r = ( x 2 + y 2 + z 2 )1/ 2 , = tan 1 ( x 2 + y 2 )1/ 2 / z and = tan1{y / z}

Schrdinger equation in this coordinate system can be written as:

h2 1
2

2
1
1
(r
)
+
(sin

)
+
2
2
2
r

r sin
r sin 2
2 m r r
(r,, ) + V(r) (r , , ) = E ( r , , ) .......... (14)

The method of separation of variables may be used to solve this partial

differential equation. Accordingly the wave function must be written in
the form:

( r , , ) = R( r ) ( ) ( )
= R( r ) Y( , ) ............(15)
However, Schrdinger equation reduced to the following three
differential equations:
d
dr

( r2

1 d
sin d

dR ( r )
dr

(sin

d 2 ( )
d 2

)+

2 mr 2
h2

d ( )
d

( E V ( r )) R ( r ) = R ( r ) .......... ..(16a)

)+ (

sin 2

)( ) = ( ) .......... .(16b)

+ ( ) = 0

................(16c)

Where and are constants to be determined.

H.W: Discuss the spherical symmetrical potential systems.

Before continue to solve these equations one should keep in mind the
normalization condition require that;
*
d = 1

..................(17)

From equation (15) one get;

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Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

*
2
*
*
R ( r )R( r ) r d r ( ) ( ) sin d ( ) ( ) d = 1 .........(18)

Obviously equation (18) is valid well if and only if when each integral in
the right hand side being equal to unity. This mean that each of the radial,
zenith and azimuth parts of the wave function must satisfy the
normalization condition independently. Actually the same thing is valid
for the orthogonal and continues conditions that any wave function of a
real system must satisfied.

1-3-1 Azimuth Part

Equation (16c) is a second order, linear and homogenous differential
equation with constant coefficient. So it admit a solution of the form;

( ) = A eim . The normalization coefficient A can easily be determined

by substituting the proposed solution into the third integral appears in
equation (18). The result, however, is that; A = 1/ 2 . In order to find
the constant (m) the proposed solution must substituted in equation (16c)
where the following result; m = could be obtained. Unfortunately,
the constant m is deduced in terms of the unknown constant . The
singularity condition together with Eulers theorem may be a good tools
to overcome this problem. Accordingly, the singularity condition require
that; ( ) = ( + 2 ) , which directly leads to; e i
may realized that;

2 )

= 1 . Thus one

= m = 0 , 1, 2 , 3,LLL . Indeed for a practical

physical reason the constant m is named magnetic quantum number

(Explain?). So, the final form of the solution of the azimuth part be as in
the following relation;

( ) =

1 im
e
...............(19)
2
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Department of Physics/College of Education

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Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

The parity of this part can easily be deduced by knowing that the point of
azimuth coordinate () has an azimuth coordinate (+) after its
inflection around the origin. Therefore, one may setup the following
relation; ( + ) = (1) m ( ) . So the parity of the azimuth part is;

(1) m (Prove).

1-3-2 Zenith Part

The substitution of the value in equation (16b) leads to the following
form;
1 d
d( )
m2
( sin
)+ (
) ( ) = 0 ..............(20)
sin d
d
sin 2
Assuming that; = cos and ( ) = P( ) , equation (20) can be
expressed in another form as shown below;
1
m2
2 dP ( )
) P( ) = 0 .......... ...(21)
( 1 )
+ (
d
d
12

For the value; m=0 last equation reduces to the form;

1
2 dP( )
( 1 )
+ P( ) = 0
d
d

...............(22)

Since is a constant it is reasonable to consider that; =(+1), thereby

equation (22) become exactly similar to the well known Legendres
equation. The solution of this second order non-linear equation, which
called Legendres function or Legendres polynomial, usually given by
Rodriguess formula as follows (Prove);
Pl ( ) =

1 dl
( 2 1 )l
l
l
2 l! d

...................(23)

Actually the constant is called the orbital quantum number which is

zero or positive integer, l = 0,1, 2 ,3,Letc , and satisfies the condition;
l m.
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H.W:
1- Find the first six Legendres function.
2- Show that Legendres function is a real function of order .
3- Prove that the parity of Legendres function is; (1) l .
Anyway, for the case when m0 (with the same assumption that led to
equation (22)) equation (21) becomes exactly equivalent to the associated
Legendres equation.

Solution of this new equation is given by the

associated Legendres polynomial (function) as;

m

Plm (

) = ( 1 )

Pl ( ) .............(24)

H.W:
1- Find the first six associated Legendres functions.
2- Show that Legendres functions are the quantity ( 1 2 )
a polynomial of degree ( l m ).

m 2

times

l m

3- Prove that the parity of Legendres function is; ( 1 )

.
4- Prove that, associated Legendres functions are orthogonal in the
range 1 +1 . i.e.
l l

0,

1
1

P l m ( ) P l m ( ) d =

( l + m
2
2l + 1 ( l m

)!
,
)!

l = l

Remark:
The functions that produced by multiplying the zenith times the
azimuth parts is called spherical harmonics. i.e. Y ( , ) = ( ) ( )
. So one may write the final form for these function as follows;

Ylm ( , ) = N lm Plm ( cos ) e im

...............(25)

Where N lm is the normalization constant for the spherical harmonics

which created by multiplying the normalization coefficient of azmuth
part times that for zenith to be as follows;
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Department of Physics/College of Education

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Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

1

N lm = ( 1 )

1
( m+
2

2
m ) 2l + 1 ( l m )!

..............(26)
4

(
l
+
m
)!

H.W:
1- Find the first six spherical harmonics function.
1 ( m+ m

2- Give the physical meaning of the factor ( 1 )2

.
3- Show that spherical harmonics are a degenerate functions of degree

( 2l + 1 ) .
4- Prove that the parity of the spherical harmonics is; ( 1 )l .

1-3-3 Redial Part

For the value =(+1), the division of equation (16a) over r2 leads to;
1 d 2 dR
k
l( l + 1 )
2m
(r
)+ 2 ( E + )
R = 0 .................(27)
2
dr
r
r2
r dr
h
Assuming that;

2 = 8mE h 2 and n = - k 4E

.................(28)

Also introducing the variable; = r and carrying a simple manipulation

equation (27) can be put in the following form (Explain);
d 2 R 2 dR n l( l + 1 ) 1
+
+
R=0
4
d 2 d
2

.......... ......(29)

For large values of last equation reduced to the form;

d 2R R
=0
d 2 4

...................(30)

Obviously its an ordinary second order, linear and homogenous

differential equation with constant coefficients. So it admit a solution of
the form;

R( ) = e c

.......................(31)

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One can easily find the value of the constant (c) to be (). The finite
condition requires neglect the negative solution and keep only the
positive one. Hence, equation (31) becomes;

R( ) = e / 2

.......................(32)

Indeed last equation represent an approximated solution for equation (29),

therefore to reach an exact one equation (30) must multiply by a such
function for as follows;

R( ) = F ( ) e / 2

.......................(33)

Since there are no restriction being imposed on F(), one may assume
that;

F ( ) = s L( )

.......................(34)

Where s is a positive number and L() is an infinite polynomial given by

the form;

L( ) = a o + a1 + a 2 + LLLLLLL =

.......... .....(35)

=0

Keeping in mind that; ao 0 (Why?)

The substitution of equation (33), regarding the form of F()
represented in equation (34), into equation (29) gives;

2 L ( ) + [ 2( s + 1 ) ] L ( ) + [ s ( s + 1 ) + ( n s 1 )
l( l + 1 )] L( ) = 0 .......... .......... ..(36)
Regarding equation (35) for the case when =0, equation (36) leads to
the following fact;
s( s 1 ) = l( l 1 )

.......... .....(37)

Equation (37) can easily be solved for s, however the result being that
either s= or s=-(+1). The second solution must be ignored because it
grant the radial part wave function infinite value for the case when =0,

(Explain that?). Hence it is reasonable to keep the first solution and so

equation (36) reduced to the following form;
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Department of Physics/College of Education

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L( ) + [ 2( l + 1 ) ] L( ) + ( n l 1 ) L( ) = 0

..........(38)

Equation (38) is a second order, non linear and homogenous differential

equation which can be solved be means of the power series to get (Prove

it);

{ ( 1 ) a +1 a + 2( l + 1 ) ( + 1 ) a +1 + ( n l 1 ) a } +

=2

2( l + 1 ) a1 + ( n l 1 ) ao = 0

..........(39)

It seen that the only way that this equation being satisfied for all the
values of (i.e. 0 ) is (Explain);
a +1
n + l +1
=
a
( + 1 )( + 2l + 2 )

.......... .....(40)

Now for the case when equation (40) does not truncated at certain value
of , it will reduce for the following form at higher -values (Prove);
a +1 1

.......... .....(41a)

Or equivalently;

a +1 ! a1

...............(41b)

So equation (35) becomes;

L( ) e

...............(42)

Hence the radial part wave function, i.e. equation (33), takes the
following formula;

R( ) = e / 2

.......................(43)

Equation (43) clearly announce that the radial wave function failed to
satisfy the finite condition. In order to overcome this confusion one has to
keep in mind the polynomial represented in equation (35) must be
truncated at a specific value for . Thus, it is appropriate to regard that the
truncation occurs at the value of which satisfy the relation; = n l 1

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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

. So n seems to be positive number differ from zero and satisfy the

relation (Explain);
n = 1, 2 , 3,LLLL > l

...............(44)

In other word one may say that there exist a solution of the form;
l

Rnl ( ) = e

Lnl ( )

.......................(45)

If and only if when n > l . Now assuming that; n+ =q and so 2+1=p

equation (38) can be written as in following form;

Lqp ( ) + ( p + 1 )Lqp ( ) + ( q p ) Lqp ( ) = 0

..........(46)

The careful inspection of last equation reveals that it is exactly the

associated Laguerre differential equation. The solution of this kind of
differential equations can be found in many text books in mathematics,
see for example (Arfken and Weber, 1985), to be as in the following
form;

Lqp (

dp
)=
Lq ( )
d p

.................(47)

Equation (47) called associated Laguerre polynomial (function) and Lq()

is called Laguerre polynomial (function) which given by the formula;

dq
Lq ( ) = e
( q e )
q
d

.................(48)

However, the final form of the radial part for the wave function of Hlike atoms is as follows;

Rnl ( ) = N nl e

l L2nl++l1

.................(49)

Where Nn is the normalization constant which can be deduced, by a

simple but tedious manipulation, to be (Prove);
1
2

( n l 1 )!
N nl = 3

2n [( n + l )! ] 3

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.................(50)

Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

H.W:
1- Find the first six associated Laguerres functions.
2- Show that Laguerres function is a polynomial of degree (n--1).
3- What will be the parity of Laguerres function?
4- What the positive-non zero value integer ( n ) is called?
5- Deduce the energy eigen values for H-like atoms.
6- Show that the final form for the H-like atoms wave functions is
given by the expression:
nlm ( r , , ) = { 3

(n -l -1)!
2n{(n + l)! }3

}1 / 2 e / 2 l

L2nl++l1 ( )Yl m ( , )

thereafter deduce the first six of them.

7- Show that the degeneracy for the states of H-like atoms is given as;
l = n 1

(2l + 1) = n2 .

l =0

8- Find the parity of nlm ( r , , ) .

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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

1-4 Angular Momentum

A particle moving with momentum p around a fixed origin has an
angular momentum:
v v v
L=rp

v
The classical angular momentum L goes over into a quantum mechanical
in the usual way:

L = r p
Thus, it easy to prove that:

lx = yp z -zp y = -ih(y z -z y )
ly = zp x -xp z = -ih(z x -x z )

lz = xp y -zp x = -ih(x y -y x )
In spherical polar coordinate one may easy, but tedious, to rewrite the
above equations in the form:

lx = ih(sin + cot cos

ly = ih(-cos + cot sin

lz = -ih
It is convenient to write:

L2 = lx2 + ly2 + lz2

So,
L2 = h 2

1
sin

( sin

)+

2
1
sin 2 2

Now operate by L2 on H-like atom wave function:

L2 nlm ( r , , ) = h 2 N nl R nl ( r )

1
sin

(sin

Hence,

L2nlm (r , , ) = h 2 N nl Rnl (r ) (Y ( , ))

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Y
)

2Y
1
2
sin 2

Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc. Course

L2 nlm (r , , ) = h 2 l (l + 1)nlm (r , , )
The last equation announce that nlm is an eigen wave function of the
operator L2 with an eigen value h 2 l (l + 1) . So, for each value of n
defining any energy level, there are n distinct values of the orbital
angular momentum arranged from l =0 to n= l -1
Now, operate by lz on nlm , one may found:

lz nlm (r , , ) = - ih N nl Rnl (r ) Pl m (cos )eim

lz nlm (r , , ) = mhnlm (r , , )
This result indicate that nlm is an function for the z-component of
angular momentum with an eigen value m. Where m=- l , - l +1, - l +2,
, 0, 1, 2, , l -1, l . So, for each value of m there are (2 l +1)
orientations of L .
It should be mention that, nlm is not eigen function of lx and ly
which means that it is not possible to define both l x and l y components of
the angular momentum precisely at the same time. (Explain)

H.W
1-Show that:

[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
ii) [L , l ] = [L , l ] = [L , l ] = 0

i) lx , ly = ihlz , ly , lz = ihlx , lz , lx = ihly

2

2- Give the physical meaning of each relation in (1).

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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/M.Sc.
M.Sc. Course

1-5 Rigid Rotator

Rigid rotator is a system in which a particle of mass m constraint to
rotate around fixed axis, as shown in the figure,
figure where r , constants
and variable (When you met such a system?)

H n ( ) = En n ( )
H =

h 2 d 2
2 I d 2

Where;
lz = ih 2

d2
d 2

and I is the moment of inertia.

inertia Then;:
2
h 2 d n ( )
2m
d 2

d 2n ( )
d 2

= En n ( )

+ n 2n ( ) = 0

, n2 =

2I
h2

En

Assume that n ( ) = Aeim be a solution of this equation. Thus:

(m2 + n2 )n ( ) = 0 m = n
Since n ( ) must have a single value, Thus:

n ( ) = n ( + 2 )
Ae in = Ae in e2in

e2in = 1

cos(2n ) i sin(2n ) = 1

sin(2n ) = 0

n = 0, 1, 2, 3,...

The negative ns must be neglecting since the rotator is not restricted by a

potential. So

n = 0, 1, 2, 3,... (Why?)

Using the wave function n ( ) = Aein in the normalization condition;

+

n n d = 1

One may get:

n ( ) =

1
2

ein and En =

n 2h 2
2I

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