4th Tutorial Sheet on QM

October 27, 2011

4th Tutorial Sheet on Quantum Mechanics j =

j1 + j1 1 2 1 2

m2 = 1 2

m2 = 1 2

j1 +m +1 2 2 j1 +1 j1 m +1 2 2 j1 +1

j1 m +1 2 2 j1 +1 j1 + m +1 2 2 j1 +1

Fig. 1

1.

In the H-atom problem, if we neglect spin, the perturbation in the presence of a weak B magnetic field B (in the z-direction) is given by H = B Lz . Show that the splitting of the h level is given by = B B ml . This is known as the normal Zeeman effect. 2. Using the table given above, write the normalized Pauli wavefunction for the 6 2 D3 / 2
1 m = 2
2 & 6 F7 / 2

3 m = + 2

states of the H-atom in terms of R nl Ylml etc.

1 1 3. Write the normalized Pauli wavefunctions for the nl l , , j = l , m j 2 2 the H-atom in terms of R nl Ylml . 4. In the H-atom problem, assume H =

states of

B B [ Lz + 2 sz ] and use the Pauli wavefunctions h 2l ( 2l + 2 ) m 1 m of Problem 3 to show = B B for j = l + and = B B j ( 2l + 1) j for ( 2l + 1) 2 1 j = l . This is known as the anamolous Zeeman splitting. 2
5. Consider the potential energy variation given by V ( x ) = for x < 0 and = x for x > 0 Using the boundary condition that the wave function vanishes at x=0, show that

Compare with the exact values given by

n = 2.3381, 4.0879 , 5.5206 ,.... .

6. Consider a symmetric potential energy variation as shown in the Fig. 1. Assume the value of E such that there are 4 turning points. (a) Starting from the symmetric solution in the region a < x < + a , determine the coefficient of the exponentially amplifying solution in the region x > b and obtain the transcendental equation which would determine the eigenvalues corresponding to symmetric states.

4th Tutorial Sheet on QM

October 27, 2011

(b) Starting from the anti-symmetric solution in the region a < x < + a , determine the coefficient of the exponentially amplifying solution in the region x < b and obtain the transcendental equation which would determine the eigenvalues corresponding to antisymmetric states. (c) Starting from an exponentially decaying solution in the region x < b , obtain the JWKB solution in the region a < x < + a ; by applying the condition ( x = 0 ) = 0 obtain the transcendental equation which would determine the corresponding eigenvalues. Compare the equation with that obtained in Part (b) of this problem. 7. Assume V ( x ) = V0 x for 0 < x < a and = 0 everywhere else (see Fig. 17.12). For a particle of energy E ( < V0 ) incident from right, calculate the turning points and obtain the JWKB transmission probability.

8. Consider the potential energy variation as shown in Fig. 17.9. Assume the value of E such that there are 4 turning points. A wave is incident from the right; thus assume a wave propagating only to the left in the region x < b , determine the JWKB solution in each region and calculate the tunneling probability. 9. In the alpha-decay problem, a nucleus of charge ( Z + 2 ) q (and atomic mass A + 4 ) decays to a nucleus of charge Zq (and atomic mass A ) and an alpha particle. Outside the nucleus, 2 Zq 2 12 2 -1 -2 the alpha particle experiences a Coulomb potential where 0 = 8.8542 10 C N m . 4 0 r Using JWKB formula derive an expression for the tunneling probability and show that in the semi-classical theory, the life time for alpha decay is approximately given by

where is measured in seconds and E in MeV.

10. using the formula derived in the previous problem, calculate for the decay of Polonium to Pb

( Z = 82 and A = 208 )

where an alpha particle of energy 8.9 MeV is emitted.