The quantum mechanics solver: how to apply quantum theory to modern physics

307 Pages·2006·2.5 MB·English

by  Jean-Louis Basdevant

TThhiiss ppaaggee iinntteennttiioonnaallllyy lleefftt bbllaannkk
Jean-Louis Basdevant Jean Dalibard
The Quantum
Mechanics Solver
How to Apply Quantum Theory
to Modern Physics
SecondEdition
With59Figures,Numerous Problems andSolutions
ABC
ProfessorJean-LouisBasdevant ProfessorJeanDalibard
DepartmentofPhysics EcoleNormaleSuperieure
LaboratoireLeprince-Ringuet LaboratoireKastlerBrossel
EcolePolytechnique rueLhomond24,75231
91128PalaisseauCedex Paris,CX05
France France
E-mail:jean-louis.basdevant@ E-mail:[email protected]
polytechnique.edu
LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2005930228
ISBN-10 3-540-27721-8(2ndEdition)SpringerBerlinHeidelbergNewYork
ISBN-13 978-3-540-27721-7(2ndEdition)SpringerBerlinHeidelbergNewYork
ISBN-10 3-540-63409-6(1stEdition)SpringerBerlinHeidelbergNewYork
ISBN-13 978-3-540-63409-6(1stEdition)SpringerBerlinHeidelbergNewYork
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Preface to the Second Edition
Quantum mechanics is an endless source of new questions and fascinating
observations. Examples can be found in fundamental physics and in applied
physics,inmathematicalquestionsaswellasinthecurrentlypopulardebates
ontheinterpretationofquantummechanicsanditsphilosophicalimplications.
Teaching quantum mechanics relies mostly on theoretical courses, which
are illustrated by simple exercises often of a mathematical character. Reduc-
ing quantum physics to this type of problem is somewhat frustrating since
very few, if any, experimental quantities are available to compare the results
with.Foralongtime,however,fromthe1950stothe1970s,theonlyalterna-
tive to these basic exercises seemed to be restricted to questions originating
fromatomicandnuclearphysics,whichweretransformedintoexactlysoluble
problems and related to known higher transcendental functions.
In the past ten or twenty years, things have changed radically. The devel-
opment of high technologies is a good example. The one-dimensional square-
well potential used to be a rather academic exercise for beginners. The emer-
gence of quantum dots and quantum wells in semiconductor technologies has
changedthingsradically.Optronicsandtheassociateddevelopmentsininfra-
redsemiconductorandlasertechnologieshaveconsiderablyelevatedthesocial
rank of the square-well model. As a consequence, more and more emphasis is
given to the physical aspects of the phenomena rather than to analytical or
computational considerations.
Many fundamental questions raised since the very beginnings of quantum
theory have received experimental answers in recent years. A good example
istheneutroninterferenceexperimentsofthe1980s,whichgaveexperimental
answers to 50 year old questions related to the measurability of the phase of
the wave function. Perhaps the most fundamental example is the experimen-
tal proof of the violation of Bell’s inequality, and the properties of entangled
states, which have been established in decisive experiments since the late
1970s. More recently, the experiments carried out to quantitatively verify de-
coherence effects and “Schr¨odinger-cat” situations have raised considerable
VI Preface to the Second Edition
interest with respect to the foundations and the interpretation of quantum
mechanics.
This book consists of a series of problems concerning present-day experi-
mental or theoretical questions on quantum mechanics. All of these problems
are based on actual physical examples, even if sometimes the mathematical
structureofthemodelsunderconsiderationissimplifiedintentionallyinorder
to get hold of the physics more rapidly.
The problems have all been given to our students in the E´cole Polytech-
niqueandintheE´coleNormaleSup´erieureinthepast15yearsorso.Aspecial
featureoftheE´colePolytechniquecomesfromatraditionwhichhasbeenkept
for more than two centuries, and which explains why it is necessary to devise
originalproblemseachyear.Theexamshaveadoublepurpose.Ononehand,
they are a means to test the knowledge and ability of the students. On the
other hand, however, they are also taken into account as part of the entrance
examinations to public office jobs in engineering, administrative and military
careers. Therefore, the traditional character of stiff competitive examinations
andstrictmeritocracyforbidsustomakeuseofproblemswhichcanbefound
intheexistingliterature.Wemustthereforeseekthemamongtheforefrontof
present research. This work, which we have done in collaboration with many
colleagues, turned out to be an amazing source of discussions between us. We
all actually learned very many things, by putting together our knowledge in
our respective fields of interest.
Compared to the first version of this book, which was published by
Springer-Verlag in 2000, we have made several modifications. First of all,
we have included new themes, such as the progress in measuring neutrino
oscillations, quantum boxes, the quantum thermometer etc. Secondly, it has
appearedusefultoinclude,atthebeginning,abriefsummaryonthebasicsof
quantum mechanics and the formalism we use. Finally, we have grouped the
problems under three main themes. The first (Part A) deals with Elementary
Particles, Nuclei and Atoms, the second (Part B) with Quantum Entangle-
ment and Measurement, and the third (Part C) with Complex Systems.
We are indebted to many colleagues who either gave us driving ideas, or
wrote first drafts of some of the problems presented here. We want to pay a
tribute to the memory of Gilbert Grynberg, who wrote the first versions of
“The hydrogen atom in crossed fields”, “Hidden variables and Bell’s inequal-
ities” and “Spectroscopic measurement on a neutron beam”. We are particu-
larlygratefultoFranc¸oisJacquet,Andr´eRoug´eandJimRichforilluminating
discussions on “Neutrino oscillations”. Finally we thank Philippe Grangier,
whoactuallyconceivedmanyproblemsamongwhichthe“Schro¨dinger’scat”,
the “Ideal quantum measurement” and the “Quantum thermometer”, G´erald
Bastard for “Quantum boxes”, Jean-No¨el Chazalviel for “Hyperfine struc-
ture in electron spin resonance”, Thierry Jolicoeur for “Magnetic excitons”,
Bernard Equer for “Probing matter with positive muons”, Vincent Gillet for
“Energylossofionsinmatter”,andYvanCastin,Jean-MichelCourtyandDo-
Preface to the Second Edition VII
minique Delande for “Quantum reflection of atoms on a surface” and “Quan-
tum motion in a periodic potential”.
Palaiseau, April 2005 Jean-Louis Basdevant
Jean Dalibard
TThhiiss ppaaggee iinntteennttiioonnaallllyy lleefftt bbllaannkk
Contents
Summary of Quantum Mechanics .............. .............. 1
1 Principles .............................................. 1
2 General Results ......................................... 4
3 The Particular Case of a Point-Like Particle; Wave Mechanics. 4
4 Angular Momentum and Spin............................. 6
5 Exactly Soluble Problems ................................ 7
6 Approximation Methods.................................. 9
7 Identical Particles ....................................... 10
8 Time-Evolution of Systems ............................... 11
9 Collision Processes....................................... 12
Part I Elementary Particles, Nuclei and Atoms
1 Neutrino Oscillations ...................................... 17
1.1 Mechanism of the Oscillations; Reactor Neutrinos ........... 18
1.2 Oscillations of Three Species; Atmospheric Neutrinos ........ 20
1.3 Solutions ............................................... 23
1.4 Comments.............................................. 27
2 Atomic Clocks............................................. 29
2.1 The Hyperfine Splitting of the Ground State................ 29
2.2 The Atomic Fountain .................................... 31
2.3 The GPS System ........................................ 32
2.4 The Drift of Fundamental Constants....................... 32
2.5 Solutions ............................................... 33
3 Neutron Interferometry ................................... 37
3.1 Neutron Interferences .................................... 38
3.2 The Gravitational Effect ................................. 39
3.3 Rotating a Spin 1/2 by 360 Degrees........................ 40