Quantum Theory I (8.321) Fall 2019 Assignment 1
Quantum Theory I (8.321) Fall 2019 Assignment 1
Readings:
• Sakurai Chap. 1
Note
• This problem set is intended to help you review undergraduate level quantum
mechanics.
• In all psets, when encountering integrals you do not need to give intermediate
steps of performing the integrations. It is enough to quote the results. But
please quote the results clearly, so the grader can understand your work.
Problem Set 1
1
(a) What are the conditions on the Schrödinger wave function and its deriva-
tive at x = a?
(b) Find the solution to the Schrödinger equation with energy E = ~2 k 2 /2m
for all x ≥ 0.
(c) Interpret your solution as the superposition of an incoming wave, e−ikx ,
and a phase-shifted outgoing wave, eikx+iδ(k) . What is δ(k)? Why is the
amplitude of the outgoing wave the same as the incoming wave?
(d) Consider E < 0, which means k-imaginary (you can take k = iκ). Under
what conditions is there a bound state in this potential? What is its
binding energy, Eb ? Although there is no scattering for negative E, the
function δ(k) that you computed in part (c) is still defined. What happens
to eiδ(k) when E approaches Eb ?
(a) What are the energies and angular momenta of the first three single particle
levels? (Yes, you need to use Bessel functions to solve this problem.)
(b) Two fermions (e.g. electrons) are put into the cavity. What are the energies
and degeneracies of the first three energy levels? You’ll need to remember
the exclusion principle and compare energies carefully.
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5. Pauli Matrices (30 points)
We’ll use the conventional definition of the Pauli matrices in 8.321:
0 1 0 −i 1 0
σ1 = , σ2 = , σ3 = (2)
1 0 i 0 0 −1
(a) Show that the {σn } satisfy [σk , σl ] = 2iklm σm , where klm is the totally
antisymmetric Levi-Civita symbol.
(b) Show Tr(σi σj ) = 2δij
(c) Show σi σj = δij + iijk σk , and use it to prove
~a · ~σ ~b · ~σ = ~a · ~b + i~σ · ~a × ~b.
(d) Prove that the most general Hermitian 2 × 2 matrix can be written
M = a0 I + ~a · ~σ (3)