Advanced Quantum Mechanics: Fall 2018

Midterm Exam: Brief Solutions

NOTE: Problems start on page 2. Answer the questions in italic fonts.
Possibly useful facts:
     

• Pauli matrices: σ0 = 12×2 , σ1 =

0 1 0 −i 1 0
  , σ2 =   , σ3 =  .
1 0 i 0 0 −1

σ1 σ2 = iσ3 = −σ2 σ1 , σ2 σ3 = iσ1 = −σ3 σ2 , σ3 σ1 = iσ2 = −σ1 σ3 , σ12 = σ22 = σ33 = σ0 .

So σ1,2,3 mutually anti-commute, {σ1 , σ2 } = {σ2 , σ3 } = {σ3 , σ1 } = 0,

and [σ1 , σ2 ] = 2iσ3 , [σ2 , σ3 ] = 2iσ1 , [σ3 , σ1 ] = 2iσ2 .

xn n x2n+1 n x2n
P+∞ P+∞ P+∞
• exp(x) = n=0 n! , sin(x) = n=0 (−1) (2n+1)! , cos(x) = n=0 (−1) (2n)! .

P+∞ 1
• Baker-Hausdorff formula: exp(Â) · B̂ · exp(−Â) = B̂ + n=1 n! [Â, [Â, . . . [Â, B̂] . . . ]].
| {z }
n-fold commutator

• If [Â, B̂] is a c-number, then exp(Â) exp(B̂) = exp(B̂) exp(Â) exp([Â, B̂]).

• [ÂB̂, Ĉ D̂] = Â[B̂, Ĉ]D̂ + [Â, Ĉ]B̂ D̂ + Ĉ Â[B̂, D̂] + Ĉ[Â, D̂]B̂
= Â{B̂, Ĉ}D̂ − {Â, Ĉ}B̂ D̂ + Ĉ Â{B̂, D̂} − Ĉ{Â, D̂}B̂

p̂2 mω 2 2 h̄ ∂ 2 2 mω 2 2
• 1D harmonic oscillator: Ĥ0 = 2m
+ 2
x̂ = − 2m ∂x2
+ 2
x.
Here x̂ is position operator, p̂ is momentum operator, [x̂, p̂] = ih̄, and in position
representation p̂ = −ih̄ ∂x
∂
(x̂ + i mω
p mω 1
p mω h̄ ∂
. Define â = 2h̄
p̂) = 2h̄
(x + mω ∂x
). Then
[â, ↠] = 1 and Ĥ0 = h̄ω (↠â + 21 ). It has a unique ground state |ψ0 i with â|ψ0 i = 0,
and excited states |ψn i ≡ √1 (↠)n |ψ0 i with energy En = (n + 21 )h̄ω.
n!
2
Ground state wavefunction is ψ0 (x) ≡ hx|ψ0 i = ( mω
h̄π
x
)1/4 exp(− 2h̄/mω ).

• Creation & annihilation operators:

ψ̂ † “creates” a particle in single particle state |ψi;
ψ̂ “destroys” a particle in single particle state |ψi; ψ̂ † is hermitian conjugate of ψ̂.

– Given complete orthonormal basis |ei i of single particle states, one set of com-
plete orthonormal basis for the Fock space is the occupation basis |n1 , n2 , . . . i =
† †
√1 (ê )n1 √1 (ê )n2
n1 ! 1 n2 ! 2
· · · |vaci. Here |vaci is the particle “vacuum”. ê†i are creation
operators for state |ei i. For bosons, [êi , ê†j ] = δi,j ; for fermions, {êi , ê†j } = δi,j .

– [ê†i êj , ê†k ] = δj,k ê†i , for both bosons and fermions.

Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Fall 2018 1/11

 Problem 1. (10pts) A Hilbert space has two basis |1i and |2i, with h1|1i = h2|2i = 1 and
h1|2i = 21 . An operator  is defined by Â|1i = |2i, Â|2i = −|1i.
(a) (5pts) Is  a hermitian operator? Is  a unitary operator?

(b) (5pts) Solve the eigenvalues and normalized eigenstates of Â.

Solution: this is similar to Homework #1 Problem 1.

(a) Â is NOT hermitian, NOT unitary.
Method #1: quick test,
(Â|1i, |2i) = (|2i, |2i) = 1 6= (|1i, Â|2i) = (|1i, −|1i) = −1, therefore  is not hermitian.
(Â|1i, Â|2i) = (|2i, −|1i) = − 21 6= (|1i, |2i) = 21 , therefore  is not unitary.

Method #2: complete test, 


P 0 −1
Â|ii = j |ji · Aj,i with 2 × 2 matrix A =  .
1 0
 
1
1
Define Ĝi,j ≡ hi|ji =  2 .
1
2
1
P
 is hermitian if (Â|ii, |ji) = (|ii, Â|ji) for all i, j, this condition is ( k |ki · Aki , |ji) =
P ∗ P P † †
 k Aki Gkj
 = (|ii, k  |ki · Akj) = k Gik Akj , or A · G = G · A. But here A · G =
1 1
1 −1
 2  6= G · A =  2 . Therefore  is not hermitian.
−1 − 21 1 − 12
†
 = (|ii, |ji) for all i, j, this condition is A · G · A = G. But
 is unitary if(Â|ii, Â|ji)
1 − 21
here A† · G · A =   6= G. Therefore  is not unitary.
− 12 1
P
(b) Suppose an eigenstate of  with eigenvalue λ isc1 |1i +c2 |2i, then Â( i |ii · ci ) =
P P P 0 −1
j |ji · i Aj,i ci = λ · j |ji · cj . Here the matrix A =
  is defined in (a). Namely,
1 0
   
c1 c1
A ·   = λ  . The normalization of this state is determined by (c1 |1i + c2 |2i, c1 |1i +
c2 c2
   
1
c1 1
c2 |2i) = (c∗1 , c∗2 ) · G ·   = |c1 |2 + |c2 |2 + Re(c∗1 c2 ). Here G =  2  is defined in (a).
1
c2 2
1

Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Fall 2018 2/11

 eigenvalue +i, normalized eigenstate √1 (|1i
2
− i|2i).
eigenvalue −i, normalized eigenstate √1 (|1i
2
+ i|2i).

p̂x 2 2 2 p̂2 2 2
Problem 2. (50pts) Consider a 2D harmonic oscillator, Ĥ0 = ( 2m + mω2 x̂ ) + ( 2m
y
+ mω2 ŷ ).
Here m, ω are positive constants. [x̂, p̂x ] = [ŷ, p̂y ] = ih̄, and other commutators between them
ip̂x ip̂y
vanish. Define ladder operators âx = mω ). Then [âx , â†x ] =
p p mω
2h̄
(x̂ + mω
) and â y = 2h̄
(ŷ + mω
[ây , â†y ] = 1, and other commutators between them vanish. Then Ĥ0 = h̄ω · (â†x âx + â†y ây + 1).
(a) (10pts) Denote the unique ground state of Ĥ0 by |ϕ0 i. Note that âx ϕ0 = ây ϕ0 = 0.
Write down its wavefunction ϕ0 (x, y). Write down all the eigenvalues and normalized
eigenstates of Ĥ0 in terms of |ϕ0 i and ladder operators. [Hint: make analogy to bosons]

(b) (10pts) Define the Heisenberg picture operator ÔH (t) ≡ eiĤ0 t/h̄ ÔS e−iĤ0 t/h̄ for
the Schrödinger picture operator ÔS . Write down the Heisenberg equations of motion,
d
Ô (t)
dt H
= . . . , for x̂H (t), ŷH (t), p̂x,H (t), p̂y,H (t). The right-hand-side of these equations
should be explicitly in terms of these four operators. Write down the solution to these
equations of motion, namely these operators at time t in terms of their t = 0 values.

(c) (10pts) Let t = 0 state be a coherent state, |ψ(t = 0)i = A · exp(z1 â†x + z2 â†y )|ϕ0 i.
Here z1,2 are two complex numbers. Solve the constant A so that hψ(t = 0)|ψ(t = 0)i = 1.
Evolve this state under Ĥ0 , |ψ(t)i = e−iĤ0 t/h̄ |ψ(t = 0)i. Evaluate the expectation values
hψ(t)|x̂|ψ(t)i, hψ(t)|ŷ|ψ(t)i, hψ(t)|p̂x |ψ(t)i, hψ(t)|p̂y |ψ(t)i.

(d) (5pts) Show that L̂ ≡ h̄1 (x̂p̂y − ŷ p̂x ) is a conserved quantity. Namely its expectation
value does not change over time. [Hint: consider its Heisenberg equations of motion]

(e) (10pts) Solve all the eigenvalues and normalized eigenstates of L̂ defined in (d).
[Hint: rewrite L̂ by ladder operators, then do some basis change for ladder operators]

(f) (5pts) Compute eiθL̂ · x̂ · e−iθL̂ and eiθL̂ · ŷ · e−iθL̂ . Here θ is a real number. The results
should be finite-degree polynomials of x̂, ŷ, p̂x , p̂y .

Solution: this is similar to Homework #3 Problem 2.

Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Fall 2018 3/11

 x +y 2 2
(a) ϕ0 (x, y) = ψ0 (x) · ψ0 (y) = ( mω
h̄π
)1/2 exp(− 2h̄/mω ).
Here ψ0 is the normalized ground state wavefunction for 1D harmonic oscillator. Then it is
RR
easy to see that ϕ0 is normalized, dxdy |ϕ0 (x, y)|2 = 1, and âx φ0 (x, y) = ây φ0 (x, y) = 0,
because âx ψ0 (x) = 0 and ây ψ0 (y) = 0.
Note: the 2D Hilbert space can be viewed as the tensor product of two 1D Hilbert
spaces (for x- and y-directions respectively), then |ϕ0 i = |ψ0 ix ⊗ |ψ0 iy . Then âx should be
understood as âx ⊗ 1̂y , ây should be understood as 1̂x ⊗ ây .
Note: φ0 may also be viewed, by pure analogy, as the “vacuum” of two orthonormal
“boson annihilation operators” âx,y .
Eigenstates can be uniquely labeled by eigenvalues of n̂x ≡ â†x âx and n̂y ≡ â†y ây ,
similar to boson occupation basis, |nx , ny i = √ 1
(↠)nx (â†y )ny |ϕ0 i, with eigenvalue
nx !ny ! x
h̄ω · (nx + ny + 1). Here nx , ny are non-negative integers.

(b) d
Ô (t)
dt H
= h̄i [ĤH (t), ÔH (t)].
1 mω 2
Here ĤH (t) = 2m
([p̂x,H (t)]2 + [p̂y,H (t)]2 ) + 2
([x̂H (t)]2 + [ŷH (t)]2 ).
The commutation relations are preserved in the Heisenberg picture (for equal time oper-
ators), [x̂H (t), p̂x,H (t)] = [ŷH (t), p̂y,H (t)] = ih̄.
(steps omitted)
The Heisenberg equations of motion are,
d 1
x̂ (t)
dt H
= p̂ (t),
m x,H
d
p̂ (t)
dt x,H
= −mω 2 x̂H (t),
d 1
ŷ (t)
dt H
= p̂ (t),
m y,H
d
p̂ (t)
dt y,H
= −mω 2 ŷH (t).
They are just two decoupled equations of motion for 1D harmonic oscillators.
(steps omitted)
The solution to the Heisenberg equations of motion is,
1
x̂H (t) = x̂H (0) cos(ωt) + p̂ (0) sin(ωt),
mω x,H

p̂x,H (t) = p̂x,H (0) cos(ωt) − mωx̂H (0) sin(ωt),

1
ŷH (t) = ŷH (0) cos(ωt) + p̂ (0) sin(ωt),
mω y,H

p̂y,H (t) = p̂y,H (0) cos(ωt) − mω ŷH (0) sin(ωt).

(c) Compute the norm hψ(t = 0)|ψ(t = 0)i.

Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Fall 2018 4/11

 Method #1: expand into orthonormal “occupation number basis” in (a),
Note that â†x and â†y commute, then exp(z1 â†x + z2 â†y ) = exp(z1 â†x ) exp(z2 â†y ), (Homework
#1 Problem 2).
n n
P∞ z1nx z2 y z1nx z2 y
(â†x )nx (â†y )ny |ϕ0 i = A · ∞ √
P
|ψ(t = 0)i = A · nx ,ny =0 nx !ny ! nx ,ny =0 |nx , ny i.
nx !ny !
2nx 2ny
Then hψ(t = 0)|ψ(t = 0)i = |A|2 nx ,ny |z1 | nx !n|zy2!| = |A|2 exp(|z1 |2 ) exp(|z2 |2 ).
P

Method #2: see Homework #2 Problem 3(a),

hψ(t = 0)|ψ(t = 0)i = |A|2 · hϕ0 | exp(z1∗ âx + z2∗ ây ) exp(z1 â†x + z2 â†y )|ϕ0 i.
Note that [z1∗ âx + z2∗ ây , z1 â†x + z2 â†y ] = |z1 |2 + |z2 |2 is a c-number, then (see page 1),
exp(z1∗ âx + z2∗ ây ) exp(z1 â†x + z2 â†y ) = exp(z1 â†x + z2 â†y ) exp(z1∗ âx + z2∗ ây ) exp(|z1 |2 + |z2 |2 )
exp(z1∗ âx + z2∗ ây )|ϕ0 i = [1 + ∞ 1 ∗ ∗ n
P
n=1 n! (z1 âx + z2 ây ) ]|ϕ0 i = |ϕ0 i.

hψ(t = 0)|ψ(t = 0)i = |A|2 exp(|z1 |2 + |z2 |2 )hϕ0 | exp(z1 â†x + z2 â†y ) exp(z1∗ âx + z2∗ ây )|ϕ0 i =
|A|2 exp(|z1 |2 + |z2 |2 ) · hϕ0 |ϕ0 i = |A|2 exp(|z1 |2 + |z2 |2 ).

2 +|z 2
So we can choose A = exp(− |z1 | 2
2|
).

To evaluate the expectation values, it will be convenient to rewrite those operators in

q q q
h̄
terms of ladder operators, x̂ = 2mω (âx + â†x ), ŷ = 2mω
h̄
(ây + â†y ), p̂x = −i h̄mω
2
(âx − â†x ),
q
p̂y = −i h̄mω
2
(ây − â†y ).
Method #1: Heisenberg picture.
Evaluate t = 0 expectation values, plug them into solution to equations of motion.
The coherent state is eigenstate of lowering operators:
by the Baker-Hausdorff formula,
† † † †
exp(−(z1 a†x + z2 a†y )) · âx · exp(z1 a†x + z2 a†y ) = âx + z1 , namely âx ez1 âx +z2 ây = ez1 âx +z2 ây (âx + z1 );
† † † †
exp(−(z1 a†x + z2 a†y )) · ây · exp(z1 a†x + z2 a†y ) = âx + z2 , namely ây ez1 âx +z2 ây = ez1 âx +z2 ây (ây + z2 )
then âx |ψ(t = 0)i = A exp(z1 a†x + z2 a†y ) · (âx + z1 )|ϕ0 i = z1 |ψ(t = 0)i, and
ây |ψ(t = 0)i = A exp(z1 a†x + z2 a†y ) · (ây + z2 )|ϕ0 i = z2 |ψ(t = 0)i. Therefore,
hψ(0)|âx |ψ(0)i = z1 , hψ(0)|â†x |ψ(0)i = z1∗ , hψ(0)|ây |ψ(0)i = z2 , hψ(0)|â∗y |ψ(0)i = z2∗ .
The expectation values at t = 0 are,
q q
hψ(t = 0)|x̂|ψ(t = 0)i = h̄
2mω 1
(z + z1
∗
), hψ(t = 0)|p̂ x |ψ(t = 0)i = − i h̄mω
2
(z1 − z1∗ ),
q q
h̄
hψ(t = 0)|ŷ|ψ(t = 0)i = 2mω (z2 + z2∗ ), hψ(t = 0)|p̂y |ψ(t = 0)i = −i h̄mω 2
(z2 − z2∗ ).

Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Fall 2018 5/11

 Plug these into the results of (b),
q q
hψ(t)|x̂|ψ(t)i = h̄
(z1 e −iωt
+ z1 e ), hψ(t)|p̂x |ψ(t)i = −i h̄mω
∗ iωt
(z1 e−iωt − z1∗ eiωt ),
q 2mω q 2
h̄
hψ(t)|ŷ|ψ(t)i = 2mω (z2 e−iωt + z2∗ eiωt ), hψ(t)|p̂y |ψ(t)i = −i h̄mω
2
(z2 e−iωt − z2∗ eiωt ).
These results can be more conveniently obtained by first simply promoting the relation
between position/momentum operators and ladder operators to Heisenberg picture, e.g,
q
x̂H (t) = h̄
[â (t) + âx,H (t)† ], and then solve âx,H (t) = e−iωt âx,H (t = 0) = e−iωt âx ,
2mω x,H

ây,H (t) = e−iωt ây,H (t = 0) = e−iωt ây .

Method #2: Schrödinger picture,

Ĥ0 t † †
Solve the explicit form of |ψ(t)i, |ψ(t)i = e−i h̄ · Aez1 âx +z2 ây |ϕ0 i
Ĥ0 t † † Ĥ0 t Ĥ0 t
= e−i h̄ · Aez1 âx +z2 ây · ei h̄ · e−i h̄ · |ϕ0 i = A exp(e−iĤ0 t/h̄ · (z1 â†x + z2 â†y ) · eiĤ0 t/h̄ ) · e−iωt |ϕ0 i,
here we have used the fact that  · f (B̂) · Â−1 = f (ÂB̂ Â−1 ), and Ĥ0 |ϕ0 i = h̄ω|ϕ0 i.
[−iĤ0 t/h̄, z1 â†x + z2 â†y ] = −iω · (z1 â†x + z2 â†y ).
Then by Baker-Hausdorff formula, e−iĤ0 t/h̄ · (z1 â†x + z2 â†y ) · eiĤ0 t/h̄ = e−iωt (z1 â†x + z2 â†y ).
Therefore |ψ(t)i = Ae−iωt · exp(z1 e−iωt â†x + z2 e−iωt â†y )|ϕ0 i is still a coherent state.
The evaluation of expectation values then proceeds as the evaluation of t = 0 expectation
values in Method #1.

(d) you just need to show that d

L̂ (t)
dt H
= h̄i [Ĥ0,H (t), L̂H (t)] = 0.
Method #1: directly compute the commutator, (steps omitted)

Method #2: use the solution of equations of motion for position/momentum operators,
L̂H (t) = h̄1 (x̂H (t)p̂y,H (t) − ŷH (t)p̂x,H (t)).
Plug in the results of (b), L̂H (t)
p̂x
= h̄1 [(x̂ cos(ωt) + mω
sin(ωt))(p̂y cos(ωt) − mω ŷ sin(ωt))
p̂y
− (ŷ cos(ωt) + mω
sin(ωt))(p̂x cos(ωt) − mωx̂ sin(ωt))]
= h̄1 (x̂p̂y − ŷ p̂x ) = L̂H (t = 0), independent of t.

Method #3: use the equations of motion for position/momentum operators,

For notation simplicity, the argument t for Heisenberg operators are omitted here,
d
L̂
dt H
= h̄1 ( ddt x̂H · p̂y,H + x̂H · d
p̂ − dt
dt y,H
d
ŷH · p̂x,H − ŷH · d
p̂ )
dt x,H
1 p̂x,H p̂
= [
h̄ m
· p̂y,H + x̂H · (−mω 2 ŷH ) − y,Hm
· p̂x,H − ŷH · (−mω 2 x̂H )] = 0.

Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Fall 2018 6/11

 (e) Use the previous resultsaboutrewriting   x̂, ŷ, p̂x , p̂y in terms of ladder operators,
0 −i â
L̂ = −iâ†x ây + iâ†y âx = (â†x , â†y ) ·   ·  x , similar to Homework #2 Problem 2(e).
i 0 ây
Define new orthonormal ladder operators, â1 = √12 (âx − iây ), â2 = √12 (âx + iây ).
Then [âi , â†j ] = δi,j , âi |ϕ0 i = 0. And L̂ = â†1 â1 − â†2 â2 .
So the “occupation basis states” under the âi basis are normalized eigenstates of L̂,
|n1 , n2 i = √ 1 (↠)n1 (â†2 )n2 |ϕ0 i,
n1 !n2 ! 1
with eigenvalue n1 − n2 , where n1 , n2 are non-negative
integers.

(f) this is similar to Homework #1 Problem 5.

Given [Â, B̂] = Ĉ, [Â, Ĉ] = −B̂, then by Baker-Hausdorff formula,
eθ B̂e−θ = cos(θ)B̂ + sin(θ)Ĉ, eθ Ĉe−θ = cos(θ)Ĉ − sin(θ)B̂.
Here [iL̂, ŷ] = x̂, [iL̂, x̂] = −ŷ.
eiθL̂ ŷe−iθL̂ = ŷ cos θ + x̂ sin θ, eiθL̂ x̂e−iθL̂ = x̂ cos θ − ŷ sin θ.

Problem 3. (30pts) The single fermion Hilbert space has complete orthonormal basis |1i
and |2i. Denote the corresponding creation operators by fˆ† and fˆ† . Denote the vacuum
1 2

state by |vaci. Then fˆi |vaci = 0 for i = 1, 2, and {fˆi , fˆj† } = δi,j .
(a) (5pts) Write down a complete orthonormal basis for the entire Fock space, in terms
of creation operators and |vaci.

(b) (5pts) Define Ŝx ≡ fˆ2† fˆ1† + fˆ1 fˆ2 , Ŝy ≡ −ifˆ2† fˆ1† + ifˆ1 fˆ2 , Ŝz ≡ fˆ1† fˆ1 + fˆ2† fˆ2 − 1. Compute
the commutators [Ŝx , Ŝy ], [Ŝy , Ŝz ], [Ŝz , Ŝx ]. Results should be linear combinations of Ŝx,y,z .

(c) (10pts) Represent Ŝx,y,z by 4 × 4 matrices under the basis in (a). [Hint: be careful
about signs, results should be consistent with the commutation relations in (b)]

(d) (5pts) Compute exp(i 2θ Ŝx )·(aŜx +bŜy +cŜz )·exp(−i 2θ Ŝx ). Here θ, a, b, c are c-numbers.
Results should be a finite-degree polynomial of Ŝx,y,z . [Hint: some previous results may help]

(e) (5pts) Solve all the eigenvalues of Ŝz + Ŝy in the Fock space.

Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Fall 2018 7/11

 Solution: this is similar to Homework #2 Problem 4.
(a) The choice and ordering of these basis are not unique. For later convenience,
I choose the occupation basis ordered in the following way, |vaci ≡ |n1 = 0, n2 = 0i,
|n1 = 1, n2 = 1i = fˆ1† fˆ2† |vaci, |n1 = 1, n2 = 0i = fˆ1† |vaci, |n1 = 0, n2 = 1i = fˆ2† |vaci.

(b) [Ŝx , Ŝy ] = 2iŜz , [Ŝy , Ŝz ] = 2iŜx , [Ŝz , Ŝx ] = 2iŜy .
Method #1: directly computation,
Use [ÂB̂, Ĉ D̂] = Â{B̂, Ĉ}D̂ − {Â, Ĉ}B̂ D̂ + Ĉ Â{B̂, D̂} − Ĉ{Â, D̂}B̂, given on page 1.
(steps omitted)

Method #2: do a particle-hole transformation,

† †
Define fˆ0 1 = fˆ1† , fˆ0 2 = fˆ2 . Then {fˆ0 i , fˆ0 j } = δij . And fˆ0 1 fˆ0 1 = fˆ1 fˆ1† = 1 − fˆ1† fˆ1 .
    
† † 0 1 fˆ0 1 † † fˆ0 1
ˆ0 ˆ0
Ŝx = (f 1 , f 2 )     ˆ0 ˆ0
= (f 1 , f 2 ) · σ1 ·  ,
1 0 fˆ0 2 fˆ0 2
    
ˆ0
†
ˆ0
† 0 i fˆ0 1
ˆ 0
†
ˆ 0
† fˆ0 1
Ŝy = (f 1 , f 2 )     = (f 1 , f 2 ) · (−σ2 ) ·  ,
−i 0 fˆ0 2 fˆ0 2
    
† † −1 0 fˆ0 † † fˆ0 1
ˆ0 ˆ0 1 ˆ 0 ˆ 0
Ŝz = (f 1 , f 2 )    = (f 1 , f 2 ) · (−σ3 ) ·  .
0 1 fˆ0 2 fˆ0 2
Use a fact given in the solution to Homework #2 Problem 4, about the commutator of
two “bilinear operators”, [ i,j fˆi† Pij fˆj , k,` fˆk† Qk` fˆ` ] =
P P P ˆ† ˆ
i,j fi ([P, Q])ij fj . And then use

the commutation relations of Pauli matrices.

(c) Ŝx,y,z are all hermitian. Ŝx,y changes particle number by ±2, and Ŝz does not change
particle number in fˆ basis.
The first two basis in (a) have even particle number, last two basis in (a) have odd particle
number, so Ŝx,y,z are block-diagonalized into these two subspaces.
Under the basis in (a),
0 −i 0 0
     
0 −1 0 0 −1 0 0 0
 i 0 0 0
     
−1 0 0 0  0 1 0 0
Ŝx =  , Ŝy =  , Ŝz =  .
     
 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0 0
     
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
† † † †
Note that fˆ fˆ |vaci = −fˆ fˆ |vaci = −|n1 = 1, n2 = 1i, and
2 1 1 2

Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Fall 2018 8/11

fˆ1 fˆ2 |n1 = 1, n2 = 1i = fˆ1 fˆ2 fˆ1† fˆ2† |vaci = −fˆ1 fˆ1† · fˆ2 fˆ2† |vaci
= −(1 − n̂1 )(1 − n̂2 )|n1 = 0, n2 = 0i = −(1 − 0)(1 − 0)|n1 = 0, n2 = 0i = −|n1 = 0, n2 = 0i.

(d) this is similar to Homework #2 Problem 4(c), and Problem 2(f) here.
Note that [iŜx /2, Ŝz ] = Ŝy , [iŜx /2, Ŝy ] = −Ŝz .
Then eθ·iŜx /2 Ŝz e−θ·iŜx /2 = Ŝz cos θ + Ŝy sin θ, eθ·iŜx /2 Ŝy e−θ·iŜx /2 = Ŝy cos θ − Ŝz sin θ,
Finally, eθ·iŜx /2 (aŜx +bŜy +cŜz )e−θ·iŜx /2 = aŜx +(b cos θ+c sin θ)Ŝy +(−b sin θ+c cos θ)Ŝz .

(e) Method #1: brute-force diagonalization,

−1 −i 0 0
 

 i 1 0 0
 
Use the result of (c), Ŝz + Ŝy =  .
 
 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0
√
The top-left 2 × 2 diagonal block is −σ3 + σ2 , and has eigenvalues ± 2 [see Homework
√ √
#1 Problem 6(a)], so all the eigenvalues are 2, − 2, 0, 0.

Method #2: use unitary transformation, see also Homework #2 Problem 4(d),
π π √
Use the result of (d), e− 4 iŜx /2 (Ŝz + Ŝy )e 4 iŜx /2 = 2Ŝz .
π √
e− 4 iŜx /2 is a unitary operator, so 2Ŝz has the same eigenvalues with Ŝz + Ŝy .
√
The occupation basis |n1 , n2 i in (a) are eigenstates of 2Ŝz , with eigenvalues
√
2(n1 + n2 − 1), for n1 , n2 = 0 or 1.

Problem 4. (5pts) H1 and Ĥ2 are both 2-dimensional Hilbert spaces. H1 has complete
orthonormal basis |e1 i and |e2 i, H2 has complete orthonormal basis |e01 i and |e02 i.
(a) (4pts). Define operators σ̂1 = |e1 ihe2 | + |e2 ihe1 | and σ̂2 = −i|e1 ihe2 | + i|e2 ihe1 | in H1 ,
and σ̂ 0 1 = |e01 ihe02 | + |e02 ihe01 | and σ̂ 0 2 = −i|e01 ihe02 | + i|e02 ihe01 | in H2 . Solve all the eigenvalues
of Ô ≡ σ̂1 ⊗ σ̂ 0 1 + σ̂2 ⊗ σ̂ 0 2 in H1 ⊗ H2 . [Hint: represent Ô by a 4 × 4 matrix]

(b) (1pts) Show that Ô in (a) cannot be represented as Ô1 ⊗ Ô2 , where Ô1,2 are some
operators in H1,2 respectively.

Solution

Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Fall 2018 9/11

 (a) Under the given basis, σ̂1 and σ̂ 0 1 are both represented by Pauli matrix σ1 in their
respective 2-dim’l Hilbert spaces, and σ̂2 and σ̂ 0 2 are both represented by Pauli matrix σ2 .
Under the tensor product basis of H1 ⊗ H2 , Ô is σ1 ⊗ σ1 + σ2 ⊗ σ2
     
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0
     
0 0 1 0  0 0 1 0  0 0 2 0
= + = .
     
0 1 0 0  0 1 0 0  0 2 0 0
     
1 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
The 2 × 2 central diagonal block is 2σ1 and has eigenvalues ±2. So all the eigenvalues
are 0, +2, −2, 0 .

(b) this is similar to Homework #1 Problem 7(b).

Proof by contradiction, suppose Ô = Ô1 ⊗ Ô2 . Represent them by matrices.
Method #1: direct computation,
(O1 )1,2 · (O2 )1,2 = 0, (O1 )1,2 · (O2 )2,1 = 2, (O1 )2,1 · (O2 )1,2 = 2, (O1 )2,1 · (O2 )2,1 = 0.
There is no solution to these four matrix elements, (O1 )1,2 , (O1 )2,1 , (O2 )1,2 , (O2 )2,1 .

Method #2: expand 2 × 2 matrices into Pauli matrices

Pauli matrices are complete linearly independent basis for 2×2 complex matrices, namely
any 2 × 2 complex matrix can be uniquely expanded into a superposition of Pauli matrices.
P3 P3
Suppose O1 = i=0 ci σi , O2 = i=0 di σi , then we must have c1 d1 = 1, c1 d2 = 0,

c2 d1 = 0, c2 d2 = 1. There is no solution to these equations.

Problem 5. (5pts) Consider a projection operator P̂ , satisfying P̂ · P̂ = P̂ . Prove that

if the inner product h(1̂ − P̂ )ψ | P̂ ψi = 0 for any state ψ, then P̂ is a hermitian operator.
[Hint: try to show that hP̂ ψ1 | ψ2 i = hψ1 | P̂ ψ2 i for any states ψ1 , ψ2 ]

Solution
From h(1̂ − P̂ )ψ | P̂ ψi = 0, we have hψ | P̂ ψi = hP̂ ψ | P̂ ψi.
Take complex conjugate, hψ | P̂ ψi∗ = hP̂ ψ | ψi = hP̂ ψ | P̂ ψi∗ = hP̂ ψ | P̂ ψi = hψ | P̂ ψi.
Therefore hP̂ ψ | ψi = hψ | P̂ ψi for any ψ. This is the condition for P̂ to be hermitian.
This condition is equivalent to hψ1 |P̂ ψ2 i = hP̂ ψ1 |ψ2 i for any ψ1 , ψ2 .
The latter condition can be derived from the former, similar to Homework#2 Problem 1.

Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Fall 2018 10/11

 From h(c1 ψ1 + c2 ψ2 ) | P̂ (c1 ψ1 + c2 ψ2 )i = hP̂ (c1 ψ1 + c2 ψ2 ) | (c1 ψ1 + c2 ψ2 )i, expand both
sides, we have c∗1 c2 hψ1 |P̂ ψ2 i + c∗2 c1 hψ2 |P̂ ψ1 i = c∗1 c2 hP̂ ψ1 |ψ2 i + c∗2 c1 hP̂ ψ2 |ψ1 i, or
c∗1 c2 (hψ1 |P̂ ψ2 i − hP̂ ψ1 |ψ2 i) + c∗2 c1 (hψ2 |P̂ ψ1 i − hP̂ ψ2 |ψ1 i) = 0. By choosing c1 = c2 = 1
and c1 = i, c2 = 1, we can show that hψ1 |P̂ ψ2 i−hP̂ ψ1 |ψ2 i = 0 and hψ2 |P̂ ψ1 i−hP̂ ψ2 |ψ1 i = 0.

The fact that P̂ is a projection operator, P̂ 2 = P̂ , is not used in this proof, and can
actually be derived from the fact that h(1̂ − P̂ )ψ | P̂ ψi = 0 for any ψ.
But the converse is not true, a projection operator may not be hermitian, and may not
satisfy h(1̂ − P̂ )ψ | P̂ ψi = 0 for any ψ. For example, P̂ = |e1 ihe1 | + |e1 ihe2 | with orthonormal
|e1 i and |e2 i.

Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Fall 2018 11/11