The quantum harmonic oscillator is a crucial model in quantum mechanics. It describes a particle in a parabolic potential well, like a mass on a spring at the atomic level. This system reveals key quantum features like energy quantization and zero-point energy .
The Hamiltonian for this system combines kinetic and potential energy terms. Solving the Schrödinger equation with this Hamiltonian yields discrete energy levels and wave functions . These solutions use Hermite polynomials and show how energy is quantized in quantum systems.
Hamiltonian and Schrödinger Equation
Quantum Harmonic Oscillator Fundamentals
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Hamiltonian operator represents total energy of quantum harmonic oscillator system combines kinetic and potential energy terms
Hamiltonian for quantum harmonic oscillator expressed as H = p 2 2 m + 1 2 k x 2 H = \frac{p^2}{2m} + \frac{1}{2}kx^2 H = 2 m p 2 + 2 1 k x 2
p
denotes momentum operator, m
represents mass of oscillating particle, k
signifies spring constant, and x
indicates position operator
Schrödinger equation for harmonic oscillator written as − ℏ 2 2 m d 2 ψ d x 2 + 1 2 k x 2 ψ = E ψ -\frac{\hbar^2}{2m}\frac{d^2\psi}{dx^2} + \frac{1}{2}kx^2\psi = E\psi − 2 m ℏ 2 d x 2 d 2 ψ + 2 1 k x 2 ψ = E ψ
ψ
represents wave function, E
denotes energy eigenvalue, and ℏ
stands for reduced Planck's constant
Solutions to Schrödinger equation yield wave functions describing quantum states of harmonic oscillator
Hermite polynomials play crucial role in solving Schrödinger equation for quantum harmonic oscillator
Hermite polynomials defined by recursive relation H n + 1 ( x ) = 2 x H n ( x ) − 2 n H n − 1 ( x ) H_{n+1}(x) = 2xH_n(x) - 2nH_{n-1}(x) H n + 1 ( x ) = 2 x H n ( x ) − 2 n H n − 1 ( x )
First few Hermite polynomials include H 0 ( x ) = 1 H_0(x) = 1 H 0 ( x ) = 1 , H 1 ( x ) = 2 x H_1(x) = 2x H 1 ( x ) = 2 x , H 2 ( x ) = 4 x 2 − 2 H_2(x) = 4x^2 - 2 H 2 ( x ) = 4 x 2 − 2
Wave functions for quantum harmonic oscillator expressed using Hermite polynomials and Gaussian function
General form of wave function given by ψ n ( x ) = N n H n ( α x ) e − α 2 x 2 / 2 \psi_n(x) = N_n H_n(\alpha x) e^{-\alpha^2 x^2/2} ψ n ( x ) = N n H n ( αx ) e − α 2 x 2 /2
Nn
represents normalization constant , α
depends on mass and angular frequency of oscillator
Energy Levels and Eigenvalues
Quantization of Energy in Harmonic Oscillator
Quantized energy levels result from discrete solutions to Schrödinger equation for quantum harmonic oscillator
Energy eigenvalues for quantum harmonic oscillator given by E n = ℏ ω ( n + 1 2 ) E_n = \hbar \omega (n + \frac{1}{2}) E n = ℏ ω ( n + 2 1 )
ω
represents angular frequency of classical oscillator, n
denotes quantum number (non-negative integer)
Quantum number n
determines energy state of oscillator ranges from 0 to infinity
Energy levels equally spaced with separation of ℏω
between adjacent levels
Quantum harmonic oscillator exhibits discrete energy spectrum unlike classical counterpart with continuous energy
Fundamental Energy Concepts
Zero-point energy refers to lowest possible energy state of quantum harmonic oscillator
Zero-point energy given by E 0 = 1 2 ℏ ω E_0 = \frac{1}{2}\hbar \omega E 0 = 2 1 ℏ ω corresponds to ground state (n = 0)
Zero-point energy arises from Heisenberg uncertainty principle prevents particle from being completely at rest
Energy eigenvalues increase linearly with quantum number n
Probability distribution of particle's position in each energy state described by square of wave function
Higher energy states exhibit more nodes in wave function correspond to more complex oscillation patterns