Problems and solutions in quantum physics (Q2802624)

This book contains problems with solutions of a majority of the tutorial problems given in the textbook [the author, Quantum physics for beginners. Singapore: Pan Stanford Publishing (2016; Zbl 1355.81001)]. Not presented are solutions to only those problems whose solutions the reader can find in the textbook. One should read the text of a chapter before trying the tutorial problems of the chapter. Solutions to the problems give the reader a self-check and reassurance on the progress of learning.NEWLINENEWLINEThe book ``places emphesis on basic problems of quantum physics together with some instructive, stimulating, and useful applications. A considerable range of complexity is presented by these problems, and not too many of them can be solved using formulas alone.'' (text of envelope).NEWLINENEWLINEThe work starts with general characteristics of electromagnetic radiation, considers the main physical laws of the black-body radiation as well as changes of the photon energy by the Compton effect. Then it considers the classical electron radius and the magnetic dipole moment of a loop. A whole chapter is dedicated to the duality of light and matter. For instance, it is shown that the relativistic phase velocity does not tend to the non-relativistic one for group velocities of wave packets of particles smaller than the velocity of light in vacuum. Then, a chapter on the non-relativistic Schrödinger equation follows. Here inverse problems are solved, i.e.\ the potential is determined in which a particle moves knowing the wave function. Further, the Schrödinger equation is solved for time-dependent parts of the wave function. Applications of the Schrödinger equation to potential (quantum) wells are considered. For instance, a potential well of semi-infinite depth is studied and it is dealt with the tunneling through a non-symmetric barrier. Considering multidimensional quantum wells, it is illustrated why the flow of an electron between different quantum dots is possible only for specific (discrete) energies of the electron.NEWLINENEWLINENext, linear operators and their algebra are discussed. Then problems concerning the Dirac bra-ket notation and matrix representations are explained. A special chapter deals with spin operators and Pauli matrices. The equation of motion of a two-level atom in a laser field is found using the Heisenberg equation of motion. Further, the uncertainty relation of the nth harmonic oscillator energy eigenfunction is derived. Commutation relations of annihilation and creation operators of a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator are obtained, and their action on wave functions are studied.NEWLINENEWLINEFurther, the quantum theory of the hydrogen atom is discussed. Here the electron energy is obtained and the expectation values of the potential and kinetic energies are found. The angular momentum operator is considered and it is shown that the Hamiltonian of a particle in a potential of central symmetry commutes with the angular momentum. Average values of the kinetic and potential energies of an electron in a hydrogen atom are found. Standard deviations of the position of the electron in different quantum-physical states are calculated.NEWLINENEWLINEWithin the frame of the quantum theory of two coupled particles, the rotation of a particle around a fixed point is analysed. Dealing with the time-independent perturbation theory, the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a special linear operator are found in terms of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of its unperturbed operator. Dealing with the time-dependent perturbation theory, problems are solved, which appear considering a two-level atom represented by spin operators interacting with a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator represented by creation and annihilation operators.NEWLINENEWLINEDiscussing the relativistic Schrödinger equation it is first shown that the Klein-Gordon equation for a free particle is invariant under the Lorentz transformation. Then, four relations between a three-dimensional matrix and a scalar are found, which have to be simultaneously valid, so that the Dirac equation satisfies the general relativistic energy relation. Under these four conditions, the Dirac equation can be treated as the relativistic form of the Schrödinger equation.NEWLINENEWLINEFinally, problems are described occurring in systems of identical particles. The degeneracy of a system of three identical and independent particles is considered and the energy of two identical particles in a one-dimensional infinite potential well is obtained. Redistributions of identical or non-identical bosons, and identical or non-identical fermions over a finite number of states are discussed.