Questions tagged [wavefunction]
A complex scalar field that describes a quantum mechanical system. The square of the modulus of the wave function gives the probability of the system to be found in a particular state. DO NOT USE THIS TAG for classical waves.
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Non-locality of the wavefunction in QM and Twistor theory [closed]
Regarding locality, I don't think locality is a principle per se, but we often assume that the physical fields are local on spacetime, describable by partial differential equations and so on. But of ...
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How do operators on kets and wavefunctions correspond?
Let $\hat{A}$ be an operator on Hilbert space vectors. How does one show that there always exists a corresponding operator $\hat{a}$ on wave functions? i.e. $\exists \hat{a}:L^2\rightarrow L^2$ s.t. $$...
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Physical meaning of symmetric and antisymmetric wavefunction
On describing Bosons and Fermions, the symmetry of wavefunction is introduced first. Here, If two particles a and b, are in two states n and k respectively, we get the wavefunction individually. On ...
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Dirac's Bracket Notation
I have a question on Dirac's bracket notation. In particular, according to this notation, vectors and covectors are represented by $|\psi\rangle$ and $\langle\psi|$ respectively. Moreover, these two ...
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Connection between dispersion relation and symmetries of the Hamiltonian
I am having trouble understanding intuitively the connection between the dispersion relation and the symmetries of the Hamiltonian. For example, suppose we have a lattice and there are four sub-...
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Do Helium-4 atoms behave like photons?
I know that the Helium-4 atom is a boson. Does this mean that, like photons, many Helium-4 atoms can be placed at the same point in space?
How its possible? It includes fermions (Protons, Neutrons, ...
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Calculating the expectation value of the angular momentum operator
I'm not looking for the exact answer to the question, but rather why a certain way of solving it is chosen. We agree on the answer, but why is the approach different. I'm afraid it's a sign of me not ...
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The eigenvectors associated to the continuous spectrum in Dirac formalism
I am comfused about the definition of an observable, eigenvectors and the spectrum in the physics litterature. All what I did understand from Dirac's monograph is that the state space is a complex ...
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Quantum Mechanical Current Normalisation
Consider an electron leaving a metal. The quantum-mechanical current operator, is given (Landau and Lifshitz, 1974) by
$$
j_x\left[\psi_{\mathrm{f}}\right]=\frac{\hbar i}{2 m}\left(\psi_{\mathrm{f}} \...
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Hydrogen radial equation solution's boundary condition for $r \to 0$ [duplicate]
I am studying the hydrogen atom and I am analysing the radial equation: $$\left[\frac{-\hbar^2}{2m} \frac{\partial^2}{\partial r^2} + \frac{\hbar^2l(l+1)}{2m}+ V(r)\right]u=Eu$$ with $V(r)$ equal to ...
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Phase Coherence in the BCS wavefunction and the Cooper Pair Wavefunction
I have a couple question regarding the following BCS wavefunction ($|0\rangle$ is the vacuum state):
$$|\psi\rangle = \Pi_k \big(|u_k|+|v_k|e^{i\varphi}c^\dagger_{k\uparrow} c_{-k\downarrow}\big)|0\...
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Fermions in a infinite 1D well and spinorbital
I am learning quantum chemistry. To have a comprehensive understanding of the Slater determinant, I studied the classical problem of two indistinguishable particles in a 1D box with infinite barriers. ...
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Negative kinetic energy on a step potential
I'm doing an introductory course on quantum mechanics. I'm having trouble with the explanation of the kinetic energy on the classically forbbiden region on a step potential ($V=0$ for $x<0$, $V=V_0$...
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Time derivative of complex conjugate wave function [duplicate]
We have
$$\frac{\partial \Psi}{\partial t} = \frac{i\hbar}{2m} \frac{\partial^2 \Psi}{\partial x^2} - \frac{i}{\hbar}V\Psi$$$$\frac{\partial \Psi^*}{\partial t} = -\frac{i\hbar}{2m} \frac{\partial^2 \...
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What Does Feynman Mean When He Says Amplitude and Probabilities?
In Feynman lectures on gravitation section 1.4, he tries to debate over whether one should quantize the gravitation or not.
He provides a two-slit diffraction experiment with a gravity detector, which ...
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