Dirac notation Definition and 103 Threads

  1. Rayan

    I How Do You Compute the Density Matrix of a Bipartite State?

    If we for example have such a bipartite state: $$ | \phi > = \frac{1}{2} [ |0>|0> + |1>|0> + |0>|1> + |1>|1> ] $$ What is the easiest way to compute a density matrix of bipartite states? Should I just compute it as it is? i.e: $$ \rho = | \phi > < \phi | $$ Or should I convert to matrix form...
  2. AshIsH_0001

    Probabilities out of non-normalizable functions?

    a and b were fairly easy to solve; but the c part which actually demands the probability! How are we suppose to fetch the value if the function can't even be normalized; I tried to make some assumptions like making the system bounded; but I don't think that it's the right way to do so... What...
  3. Rayan

    Possible energy values given Hamiltonian

    So first I rewrote H as a matrix: $$ H = \begin{pmatrix} a & b \\ b & c \end{pmatrix} $$ And tried to find the eigenvalues/energies of H, so I solved $$ det (H - \lambda I ) = \begin{vmatrix} a-\lambda & b \\ b & c-\lambda \end{vmatrix} = (a-\lambda)(c-\lambda) - b^2 = ac - a\lambda -...
  4. D

    I Dirac Notation for Operators: Ambiguity in Expectation Values?

    Hi If A is a linear operator but not Hermitian then the expectation value of A2 is written as < ψ | A2| ψ >. Now if i write A2 as AA then i have seen the expectation value written as < ψ | A+A| ψ > but if i only apply the operators to the ket , then could i not write it as < ψ | AA | ψ > ? In...
  5. Math Amateur

    I Dirac Notation for Vectors and Tensors (Neuenschwander's text ....)

    I am reading Tensor Calculus for Physics by Dwight E. Neuenschwander and am having difficulties in confidently interpreting his use of Dirac Notation in Section 1.9 ... in Section 1.9 we read the following: I need some help to confidently interpret and proceed with Neuenschwander's notation...
  6. guyvsdcsniper

    How Do You Convert Linear Operators to Dirac Notation?

    I am trying to convert the attached picture into dirac notation. I find the LHS simple, as it is just <ψ,aφ>=<ψIaIφ> The RHS gives me trouble as I am interpreting it as <a†ψ,φ>=<ψIa†Iφ> but if I conjugate that I get <φIaIψ>* which is not equiv to the LHS. *Was going to type in LaTex but I...
  7. Dario56

    I Inner and Outer Product of the Wavefunctions

    Inner product is a generalization of the dot product on spaces other than Euclidean and for vectors it is defined in the same way as the dot product. If we have two vectors $v$ and $w$, than their inner product is: $$\langle v|w\rangle = v_1w_1 + v_2w_2 + ...+v_nw_n $$ where $v_1,w_1...
  8. Viona

    Operator acts on a ket and a bra using Dirac Notation

    Summary:: Operator acts on a ket and a bra using Dirac Notation Please see the attached equations and help, I Think I am confused about this
  9. R

    A Dirac Notation: Why is order reversed in ket expasion?

    Shankar Prin. of QM 2nd Ed (and others) introduce the inner product: <i|V> = vi ...(Shankar 1.3.4) They expand the ket |V> as: |V> = Σ vi|i> |V> = Σ |i><i|V> ...(Shankar 1.3.5) Why do they reverse the order of the component vi and the ket |i> when they...
  10. Zack K

    Spin probability of a particle state

    Starting with finding the probability of getting one of the states will make finding the other trivial, as the sum of their probabilities would be 1. Some confusion came because I never represented the states ##|\pm \textbf{z}\rangle## as a superposition of other states, but I guess you would...
  11. patric44

    Why the bra vector is said to belong in the dual space?

    hi i was recently introduced to the Dirac notation and i guess i am following it really well , but can't get my head around the idea that the bra vector said to live in the dual space of the ket vectors , i know about linear transformation and the structure of the vector spaces , and i realize...
  12. patric44

    Quantum Dirac notation based quantum books?

    hi i am recently following the nptel course in quantum mechanics (The Course ) and it seems like a really good course , but i can't find the book that it based on . my question is : had anyone saw that course before to suggest a QM book related to it ? - she began by an introduction to vector...
  13. entropy1

    I The significance of the Dirac notation

    If we have the wavefunction ##|ab \rangle##, what do the a and b stand for? In particular, do a and b signify an outcome of some pending or possible measurement, or do they signify some aspect of the wavefunction, and if so, which aspect?
  14. Z

    Writing a squared observable in Dirac notation

    Edited after post below: Hi, I need to show that the square of the expectation value of an observable takes a certain form in Dirac notation. I know in wave notation that the expectation value is a sandwich integral which looks like this: ##<A>=\int_{-\infty}^\infty \Psi^*(x) \hat A \Psi (x)...
  15. electrogeek

    I Dirac notation and calculations

    Hello everyone, I'm stuck on the question which I have provided below to do with Dirac notation: In these questions |a>, |b> and |c> can be taken to form an orthonormal basis set Consider the state |ξ> = α(|a> − 2|b> + |c>). What value of α makes |ξ> a normalised state? I'm brand new to Dirac...
  16. S

    Bra-ket of uncertainty commutator (Sakurai 1.18)

    It's easy to show that ##[\Delta A, \Delta B] = [A,B]##. I'm specifically having issues with evaluating the bra-ket on the RHS of the uncertainty relation: ##\langle \alpha |[A,B]|\alpha\rangle = \langle \alpha |\Delta A \Delta B - \Delta B \Delta A|\alpha\rangle## The answer is supposed to be...
  17. peguerosdc

    I Confusion with Dirac notation in the eigenvalue problem

    Hi! I am studying Shankar's "Principles of QM" and the first chapter is all about linear algebra with Dirac's notation and I have reached the section "The Characteristic Equation and the Solution to the Eigenvalue Problem" which says that starting from the eigenvalue problem and equation 1.8.3...
  18. M

    I Vector Notation of Quantum States for 2 Qubit System

    I am confused about the vector notation of quantum states when I have a 2 qubit system. For 1 qubit, I just write l1> = (0 ;1 ) for representing 1, and l0> = (1;0) for representing 0. Dirac notation is straightforward However when it comes to representing two qubits in linear algebra I...
  19. J

    I Advanced Dirac Notation Question

    Hello everyone, I have been working through some research papers on a topic that really interests me, but I believe I am misunderstanding a few things about Dirac Notation. I have expressions that read: \begin{align*} &< \psi_n \mid g(H - E_{n+1}) \mid \psi_n> \text{,} \\ &< \psi_n \mid (H -...
  20. P

    I Confusion about Dirac notation

    Using that ##\hat{a} =a = \sqrt{\frac{mw}{2 \hbar}} \hat{x} +\frac{i}{\sqrt{2mw \hbar}} \hat{p}## and ## a \dagger = \sqrt{\frac{mw}{2 \hbar}} \hat{x} -\frac{i}{\sqrt{2mw \hbar}} \hat{p}## We can solve for x in term of the lowering and raising operator. Now, recently I read a derivation of...
  21. Rabindranath

    A Lagrange multipliers on Banach spaces (in Dirac notation)

    I want to prove Cauchy–Schwarz' inequality, in Dirac notation, ##\left<\psi\middle|\psi\right> \left<\phi\middle|\phi\right> \geq \left|\left<\psi\middle|\phi\right>\right|^2##, using the Lagrange multiplier method, minimizing ##\left|\left<\psi\middle|\phi\right>\right|^2## subject to the...
  22. S

    B Conjugation , involving operators in Dirac Notation.

    In a PDF i was looking through i came about a question for the operator P = |a><b| find Px(adjoint) the adjoint was defined as <v|Px|u> = (<u|P|v>)* where u and v can be any bra and ket now for the question: (<u|a><b|v>)* = <v|Px|u> this is the confusing step , i thought conjugated simply...
  23. S

    I Dirac Notation: Bra & Ket Conjugation Rules

    hey guys just a quick question , within the Dirac notation I we have bras and kets.Is it allowable to simply hermitianly conjugate everything , e.g: <w|c> = <b|c> - <d|c> Can we then: <c|w> = <c|b> -<c|d> Or is there some subtly hidden rule.
  24. M

    QM: Writing time evolution as sum over energy eigenstates

    Suppose I have a 1-D harmonic oscilator with angular velocity ##\omega## and eigenstates ##|j>## and let the state at ##t=0## be given by ##|\Psi(0)>##. We write ##\Psi(t) = \hat{U}(t)\Psi(0)##. Write ##\hat{U}(t)## as sum over energy eigenstates. I've previously shown that ##\hat{H} = \sum_j...
  25. RicardoMP

    I Diagonalization and change of basis

    I have the following matrix given by a basis \left|1\right\rangle and \left|2\right\rangle: \begin{bmatrix} E_0 &-A \\ -A & E_0 \end{bmatrix} Eventually I found the matrix eigenvalues E_I=E_0-A and E_{II}=E_0+A and eigenvectors \left|I\right\rangle = \begin{bmatrix} \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\\...
  26. J

    I How Does Dirac Notation Simplify Quantum Mechanics for Harmonic Oscillators?

    I am completely baffled by bit of notation in Quantum Mechanics Concepts and Applications by Zitteli. He is trying to get the differential equation for the ground state of a harmonic oscillator using the algebraic method as opposed to Schrodinger's equation. I suspect he is compressing a lot of...
  27. astrocytosis

    Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a Hamiltonian

    Homework Statement The Hamiltonian of a certain two-level system is: $$\hat H = \epsilon (|1 \rangle \langle 1 | - |2 \rangle \langle 2 | + |1 \rangle \langle 2 | + |2 \rangle \langle 1 |)$$ Where ##|1 \rangle, |2 \rangle## is an orthonormal basis and ##\epsilon## is a number with units of...
  28. E

    I Confusion about Dirac Notation (interferometer)

    Hello everybody, Dirac notation uses "bras"( <a| ) and "kets"( |b> ), which are row vectors and column vectors respectively, but what would something like |a, b> mean? It makes no notational sense to me Context: A couple of photons going through beam splitters in an interferometer. One is...
  29. P

    How Can Dirac Notation Be Used to Determine Eigenvalues and Eigenfunctions?

    Homework Statement I have the following question (see below) Homework Equations The eigenvalue equation is Au = pu where u denotes the eigenstate and p denotes the eigenvalue The Attempt at a Solution I think that the eigenvalues are +1 and - 1, and the states are (phi + Bphi) and (phi-Bphi)...
  30. Vitani11

    Representation of vectors in a new basis using Dirac notation?

    Homework Statement I have a vector V with components v1, v2in some basis and I want to switch to a new (orthonormal) basis a,b whose components in the old basis are given. I want to find the representation of vector V in the new orthonormal basis i.e. find the components va,vb such that |v⟩ =...
  31. redtree

    I Completeness Relation: 2 Questions Answered

    Two questions regarding the completeness relation: First: I understand that the completeness relation holds for basis vectors such that ## \sum_{j=1}^{m} | n_{j} \rangle \langle n_{j} | =\mathbb{I}##. Does it also hold for unit-normalized sets of state vectors as well, where ## | \phi_{j}...
  32. redtree

    I Deriving resolution of the identity without Dirac notation

    I am familiar with the derivation of the resolution of the identity proof in Dirac notation. Where ## | \psi \rangle ## can be represented as a linear combination of basis vectors ## | n \rangle ## such that: ## | \psi \rangle = \sum_{n} c_n | n \rangle = \sum_{n} | n \rangle c_n ## Assuming an...
  33. M

    I Question(s) about Dirac notation

    I promise that anytime I have question about Dirac notation I will ask it in this thread. I do not know how to parse the following Dirac notation. |\Psi'\rangle = |u\rangle |U\rangle Can someone please convert the Dirac notation to matrix notation?
  34. N

    Dirac notation for conjugacy class

    Is the RHS of the conjugate relationship Ad(g)x = gxg-1 from the Lie algebra equivalent to: <g|λ|g> In the Dirac notation of quantum mechanics? I am looking at this in the context of gluons where g is a 3 x 1 basis matrix consisting of components r,g,b, g-1 is a 1 x 3 matrix consisting of...
  35. C

    Sakurai Modern Quantum Mechanics (Second Edition) Eq. 1.7.15

    Homework Statement Reading Sakurai I cannot see how he gets to the end of 1.7.15 as below: Homework Equations ∫dx'|x'><x'-dx' |α> = ∫dx'|x'>{<x' |α>-Δx'∂/∂x'<x' |α>} The Attempt at a Solution I tried a Taylor expansion but cannot see how this is derived.
  36. Rococo

    Calculating <ψ(t)|x|ψ(t)> in a Harmonic Oscillator Potential

    Homework Statement A particle in a harmonic oscillator potential in the following state after a time t: ## | ψ(t) > = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} [e^{(-iE_0 t/\hbar)} |ψ_0> + e^{(-iE_1 t/\hbar)} |ψ_1> ] ## I want to write an expression for ## <ψ(t)| \hat{x} | ψ(t) > ##. Homework Equations The...
  37. Clarky48

    Dirac notation - expectation value of kinetic energy

    It's my first post so big thanks in advance :) 1. Homework Statement So the question states "By interpreting <pxΨ|pxΨ> in terms of an integral over x, express <Ekin> in terms of an integral involving |∂Ψ/∂x|. Confirm explicitly that your answer cannot be negative in value." ##The 'px's should...
  38. KostasV

    Delta function and dirac notation

    Hello there ! I found this discussion http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/155304/how-do-we-normalize-a-delta-function-position-space-wave-function about dirac notation and delta function . The one that answers to the problem says that ##<a|a>=1## and ##<a|-a>=0## . As far as i know: 1)...
  39. L

    Getting to Grips with Dirac Notation: A Stuck Student's Story

    I've been working through some dirac notation and I'm stuck... Here's where I'm at: I understand that an expectation value: <x> = ∫ ψ* x ψ dx = <ψ|xψ> = <ψ|x|ψ> Also, we can say H|ψ> = E|ψ> where E is an eigenvalue of the operator H and |ψ> represents a state your acting on. I get that you can...
  40. N

    Bra's and Ket's independent of basis?

    I'm just learning about the whole Dirac notation stuff and I have come across the fact that bra's and ket's are somehow independent of bases. Or rather that they do not need the specification of a basis. I really don't understand this from a vector point of view. Maybe that is the problem...
  41. 1

    Rewrite state in new basis - Quantum Mechanics

    Homework Statement Rewrite the state |ψ⟩ = √(1/2)(|0> + |1>) in the new basis. |3⟩ = √(1/3)|0⟩ + √(2/3)|1⟩ |4⟩ = √(2/3)|0⟩ − √(1/3)|1⟩ You may assume that |0⟩ and |1⟩ are orthonormal. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution [/B] I have a similar example in my notes however there...
  42. R

    Expectation value of a SUM using Dirac notation

    Homework Statement Consider a one-dimensional particle subject to the Hamiltonian H with wavefunction \Psi(r,t) =\sum_{n=1}^{2} a_{n}\Psi _{n}(x)e^{\frac{-iE_{n}t}{\hbar}} where H\Psi _{n}(x)=E_{n}\Psi _{n}(x) and where a_{1} = a_{2} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}. Calculate the expectation value of the...
  43. D

    Any quick help with rearranging schrodinger equation in dirac notation

    I'm looking through my lecture notes, (studying relativistic corrections/perturbation theory using hydrogen), and I seem to have a mind block with one of the equations (the last one from the 3 in the middle). I know that the kinetic energy and coulomb potential has been subbed in for the...
  44. G

    Good introduction for dirac notation

    Hi guys, I m reading some theoretical physics paper that requires knowledge of dirac notation if someone could point me out to a good tutorial on it I come from a math background but I am studying this paper with my supervisor.
  45. I

    Dirac notation Schwarz Inequality Proof

    Homework Statement This isn't really a problem so much as me not being able to see how a proof has proceeded. I've only just today learned about Dirac notation so I'm not too good at actually working with it. The proof in the book is: |Z> = |V> - <W|V>/|W|^2|W> <Z|Z> = <V - ( <W|V>/|W|^2 ) W|...
  46. T

    Index Notation & Dirac Notation

    Quantum Mechanics using Index notation. Is it possible to do it? I really don't get the Dirac Notation, and every-time I encounter it, I either avoid the subject, or consult someone who can read it. There doesn't seem to be any worthy explanation about it, and whenever I ask what is the Hilbert...
  47. T

    Understanding Dirac notation - Product of ops. is product of matrices

    Homework Statement This makes intuitive sense to me, but I am getting stuck when trying to read the Dirac notation proof. Anyway, the author (Shankar) is just demonstrating that the product of two operators is equal to the product of the matrices representing the factors. Homework Equations...
  48. S

    Expectation value for momentum operator using Dirac Notation

    Question and symbols: Consider a state|ε> that is in a quantum superposition of two particle-in-a-box energy eigenstates corresponding to n=2,3, i.e.: |ε> = ,[1/(2^.5)][|2> + |3>], or equivalently: ε(x) = [1/(2^.5)][ψ2(x) + ψ3. Compute the expectation value of momentum: <p> = <ε|\widehat{}p|ε>...
  49. N

    Dirac Notation and Hermitian operators

    Homework Statement Using Dirac Notation prove for the Hermitian operator B acting on a state vector |ψ>, which represents a bound particle in a 1-d potential well - that the expectation value is <C^2> = <Cψ|Cψ>. Include each step in your reasoning. Finally use the result to show the...
  50. P

    Eigenfunctions and dirac notation for a quantum mechanical system.

    QUESTION A quantum mechanical system has a complete orthonormal set of energy eigenfunctions, |n> with associate eigenvalues, En. The operator \widehat{A} corresponds to an observable such that Aˆ|1> = |2> Aˆ|2> = |1> Aˆ|n> = |0>, n ≥ 3 where |0> is the null ket. Find a complete...
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