Finding H2 Given |\uparrow> and H1

  • Thread starter johnsmi
  • Start date
In summary: if you know the eigenbasis of a matrix and you orthonormalize it, you can then look at the matrix elements and see which states they are in?
  • #1
johnsmi
31
0
Hi,

I'm trying to understand something:
Supposing I have two states:
|[tex]\uparrow[/tex]> which is an eigen state of H1
and [tex]\psi[/tex] which is the space rep. of an eigen state of H2

Now, as far as I understand |[tex]\uparrow[/tex]> [tex]\otimes[/tex] [tex]\psi[/tex] will be an eigen state of H1 [tex]\otimes[/tex] H2 (is that true or is it the sum of Hamiltonians?)

But supposing I knew that |[tex]\uparrow[/tex]> [tex]\otimes[/tex] [tex]\psi[/tex] was an eigen state of a known H and I knew |[tex]\uparrow[/tex]> and H1 how could I find H2?

Thank you
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
It is the sum of the Hamiltonians and the product of the wavefunctions so H2 = H - H1 :smile:
 
  • #3
0xDEADBEEF said:
It is the sum of the Hamiltonians and the product of the wavefunctions so H2 = H - H1 :smile:

Thank you for you reply but it doesn't quite fit with something:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=416185" is a post I posted with all the details of the question and as you can see it doesn't seem to apply (does it?)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #4
Actually, H2 is exactly H - H1 provided it is
suitably interpreted. However what you want from your other post
is not H2 at all. You want an effective Hamiltonian.

I'll try to explain.
Given vector spaces X and Y we can form a NEW vector space
X[itex]\otimes[/itex]Y. For any pair of operators (A,B) with
A:X[itex]\rightarrow[/itex]X, B:Y[itex]\rightarrow[/itex]Y there
exists a unique map A[itex]\otimes[/itex]B.

Why is this important?
When you're looking at your hamiltonian as acting on the product
what you start with are the maps A and B above but you need to
be carefull about how they lift. Specifically H1 lifts
to H1[itex]\otimes[/itex]id2. Where id2
is the identity map on the second factor.

Similarly H2 lifts to id1[itex]\otimes[/itex]H2.

So that your hamiltonian is actually
H = H1[itex]\otimes[/itex]id2 + id1[itex]\otimes[/itex]H2.

Now how can we use this to "factor out" a piece, or find an effective hamiltonian
Suppose we know the eigenbasis of H2. And further suppose we've
orthonormalized it, then we can look at the matrix elements of H, which stay
in a fixed H2 subspace.
Let [itex]|m>, |n>[/itex] denote vectors in the first space, and [itex]|\mu>, |\nu>[/itex]
denote orthonormal eigenvectors of H2.

Then
[tex] <m \otimes \mu| H |n \otimes \nu>
= <m \otimes \mu| (H_1 \otimes \text{id}_2) |n \otimes \nu>
+ <m \otimes \mu| (\text{id}_2 \otimes H_2) |n \otimes \nu>
[/tex]
[tex]
= <m|H_1|n><\mu|\nu> + <m|n>\lambda_\nu<\mu|\nu>
[/tex]

where [itex]\lambda_\nu[/itex] is the appropriate eigenvalue. Now
if we are only interested in a given state [itex]\nu[/itex] we
can put
[tex]
<m \otimes \nu| H |n \otimes \nu>
= <m|H_1|n> + <m|n>\lambda_\nu
= <m| H_1 + \lambda_\nu \text{id}_1 |n>
[/tex]

This looks then like a hamiltonian only on the 1st factor.
 
  • #5
Wow,
thank you for your detailed post now all I need to do is understand it. I think it will take me some time to properly understand it.

Thank you very much!
 
  • #6
qbert said:
Actually, H2 is exactly H - H1 provided it is
suitably interpreted. However what you want from your other post
is not H2 at all. You want an effective Hamiltonian.

I'll try to explain.
Given vector spaces X and Y we can form a NEW vector space
X[itex]\otimes[/itex]Y. For any pair of operators (A,B) with
A:X[itex]\rightarrow[/itex]X, B:Y[itex]\rightarrow[/itex]Y there
exists a unique map A[itex]\otimes[/itex]B.

Why is this important?
When you're looking at your hamiltonian as acting on the product
what you start with are the maps A and B above but you need to
be carefull about how they lift. Specifically H1 lifts
to H1[itex]\otimes[/itex]id2. Where id2
is the identity map on the second factor.

Similarly H2 lifts to id1[itex]\otimes[/itex]H2.

So that your hamiltonian is actually
H = H1[itex]\otimes[/itex]id2 + id1[itex]\otimes[/itex]H2.

Now how can we use this to "factor out" a piece, or find an effective hamiltonian
Suppose we know the eigenbasis of H2. And further suppose we've
orthonormalized it, then we can look at the matrix elements of H, which stay
in a fixed H2 subspace.
Let [itex]|m>, |n>[/itex] denote vectors in the first space, and [itex]|\mu>, |\nu>[/itex]
denote orthonormal eigenvectors of H2.

Then
[tex] <m \otimes \mu| H |n \otimes \nu>
= <m \otimes \mu| (H_1 \otimes \text{id}_2) |n \otimes \nu>
+ <m \otimes \mu| (\text{id}_2 \otimes H_2) |n \otimes \nu>
[/tex]
[tex]
= <m|H_1|n><\mu|\nu> + <m|n>\lambda_\nu<\mu|\nu>
[/tex]

where [itex]\lambda_\nu[/itex] is the appropriate eigenvalue. Now
if we are only interested in a given state [itex]\nu[/itex] we
can put
[tex]
<m \otimes \nu| H |n \otimes \nu>
= <m|H_1|n> + <m|n>\lambda_\nu
= <m| H_1 + \lambda_\nu \text{id}_1 |n>
[/tex]

This looks then like a hamiltonian only on the 1st factor.

Your unswer seems to be very usefull since I did find in a related article something like this:
[tex]
<\uparrow (\phi)| \otimes <\phi| \frac{\Pi^2}{2M} |\phi '> \otimes |\uparrow (\phi ')>
= <\phi| \frac{Q^2} {2M} |\phi '> \\ where\ Q=\Pi -const.
[/tex]

I think I am beginning to understand what you mean evan though there are a few terms you used which are unfamiliar to me.
1) An identity map: I think is an operater that sends a vector to the unit vector in that space?
2) I don't quite understand what you mean by 'lifting'
3) I gues that [itex]\lambda_\nu[/itex] is the eigenvalue we get by applying [itex]H_2|\nu>[/itex] (i.e. [itex]H_2|\nu>=\lambda_\nu|\nu>[/itex])


And finally, at the end you said that:
[itex]|\mu>, |\nu>[/itex] denote orthonormal eigenvectors of H2.
dosn't that necessarilly mean that: [itex]<\mu|\nu>=0[/itex] ?
 
Last edited:
  • #7
An identity map sends a vector to itself.

With lifting he means what the operator looks like on the larger space.
 
  • #8
0xDEADBEEF said:
An identity map sends a vector to itself.

With lifting he means what the operator looks like on the larger space.

thank you, the identity map was a stupid mistake of me
But after having a better look in Cohen-Tannoudji I understood that qbert made a slite typo mistake
[tex] <m \otimes \mu| H |n \otimes \nu>
= <m \otimes \mu| (H_1 \otimes \text{id}_2) |n \otimes \nu>
+ <m \otimes \mu| (\text{id}_2 \otimes H_2) |n \otimes \nu>
[/tex]
and it should be

[tex] <m \otimes \mu| H |n \otimes \nu>
= <m \otimes \mu| (H_1 \otimes \text{id}_2) |n \otimes \nu>
+ <m \otimes \mu| (\text{id}_1 \otimes H_2) |n \otimes \nu>
[/tex]

What I still don't understand (even though thanks to the both of you I am understanding much more) is how to get this:
[tex]<\uparrow (\phi)| \otimes <\phi| \frac{\Pi^2}{2M} |\phi '> \otimes |\uparrow (\phi ')> = <\phi| \frac{Q^2} {2M} |\phi '> \\ where\ Q=\Pi -const.[/tex]

and why isn't [itex]<m|n>=<\mu|\nu>=0[/itex] ?

Thanks
 
  • #9
Can I assume that a spinor (spin state that depends on location) state and an eigenstate of momentum (which also depends on location) are in separate Hilbert spaces or does the momentum operator act on the spinor as well?
 

FAQ: Finding H2 Given |\uparrow> and H1

What is the meaning of "Finding H2 Given |\uparrow> and H1"?

In quantum mechanics, "Finding H2 Given |\uparrow> and H1" refers to the process of determining the state of the hydrogen atom, represented by the symbol H2, when it is in a specific state |\uparrow> and is interacting with another state H1.

What is the significance of finding H2 in this scenario?

Finding H2 in this scenario allows scientists to understand the behavior and properties of hydrogen atoms in different states. This information is crucial for various applications in physics, chemistry, and technology.

What factors influence the discovery of H2 in this situation?

The discovery of H2 in this situation is influenced by the initial state of the hydrogen atom, the state it is interacting with, and the interactions between the two states. Other factors such as temperature, pressure, and external fields may also play a role.

What methods are used to find H2 in this scenario?

Scientists use a variety of methods to find H2 in this scenario, including spectroscopy, quantum mechanical calculations, and experiments involving excitation and ionization of atoms. These methods allow them to observe and measure the properties of the hydrogen atom in different states.

What are the potential applications of understanding H2 in this context?

Understanding the properties and behavior of H2 in this context has various practical applications, such as developing new materials, improving energy efficiency, and advancing technologies such as quantum computing and nuclear fusion. It also contributes to our overall understanding of the fundamental laws of physics.

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
31
Views
4K
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Back
Top