Electron moving in an electromagnetic field and rotation operator

In summary, the behavior of an electron in an electromagnetic field can be analyzed using quantum mechanics, where the rotation operator plays a crucial role in describing the electron's spin and angular momentum. The interaction between the electron's charge and the electromagnetic field leads to changes in its state, which can be mathematically represented through the use of operators that account for both rotational symmetry and the influence of the field. This framework allows for a deeper understanding of phenomena such as the Zeeman effect and can be applied to various physical systems involving charged particles in magnetic and electric fields.
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NiRK20
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Homework Statement
The hamiltonian for an electron in electromagnetic field plus a central potential is
$$H = \frac{1}{2m}\left[ \textbf{p} + \frac{e}{c}\textbf{A}(\textbf{x}, t) \right] ^{2} - e\Phi(\textbf{x},t) - \mu \cdot \textbf{B}(\textbf{x}, t) + V(r)$$
with the gauge ##\textbf{A} = \frac{1}{2}\textbf{B}\times \textbf{x}## and ##\Phi = 0##, the field being uniform ##\textbf{B} = B \hat{\textbf{b}}## and ##\mu = -\frac{2\mu_{B}}{\hbar}\textbf{S}##.

The problem then gives time-dependinig Schrödinger equation and says to define a new state ##| \phi(t) \rangle## such as
$$| \psi(t) \rangle = U(\hat{\textbf{b}}, \omega t)| \phi(t) \rangle$$
with ##U(\hat{\textbf{b}}, \omega t)## a rotation operator for all degrees of freedom. Finally, it asks to find a frequency ##\omega## that eliminate the effects of the magnetic field over the particle orbital movement except by a centrifuge potental proportional to ##(\textbf{b}\times \textbf{x})^{2}##.
Relevant Equations
$$i\hbar \frac{\partial}{\partial t}| \psi(t) \rangle = H | \psi(t) \rangle$$
Hello,

The idea I had was to time evolve the state ##U(\hat{\textbf{b}}, \omega t)| \phi(t) \rangle##, but I'm confused on how to operate with ##H## on such state. I Iwould be glad if anyone could point some way. Thanks!
 

FAQ: Electron moving in an electromagnetic field and rotation operator

What is the role of the electromagnetic field in the motion of an electron?

The electromagnetic field exerts forces on charged particles such as electrons, affecting their motion. The Lorentz force law describes this interaction, stating that the force on an electron is proportional to both the electric field and the magnetic field. This results in the electron accelerating or changing direction, leading to complex trajectories in the presence of these fields.

How does the rotation operator relate to the motion of an electron in an electromagnetic field?

The rotation operator is used in quantum mechanics to describe how quantum states transform under rotations. When considering an electron in an electromagnetic field, the rotation operator can help analyze how the system's wave function behaves under spatial rotations, influencing the electron's angular momentum and overall dynamics in the field.

What is the significance of angular momentum for an electron in an electromagnetic field?

Angular momentum is a key property of electrons, impacting their behavior in electromagnetic fields. The interaction with the field can cause changes in the electron's angular momentum, leading to phenomena such as the Zeeman effect, where energy levels split in the presence of a magnetic field. Understanding this helps in various applications, including spectroscopy and quantum computing.

Can you explain the concept of gauge invariance in the context of an electron in an electromagnetic field?

Gauge invariance refers to the property that the physical predictions of a theory remain unchanged under certain transformations of the electromagnetic potentials. For an electron in an electromagnetic field, this means that the physics does not depend on the specific choice of potentials, as long as they yield the same electric and magnetic fields. This principle is fundamental in quantum electrodynamics and ensures the consistency of the theory.

What are the implications of the Pauli exclusion principle for electrons in an electromagnetic field?

The Pauli exclusion principle states that no two fermions, such as electrons, can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously. In an electromagnetic field, this principle leads to the formation of discrete energy levels for electrons, influencing their distribution and behavior in atoms and materials. This has significant implications for the electronic properties of materials and the stability of atomic structures.

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