Hydrogen Atom in an electric field along ##z##

  • #1
damarkk
8
2
Homework Statement
Hydrogen Atom, expectation value of ##L^2##, ##L_z## Perturbation Theory.
Relevant Equations
##\langle |L^2|\rangle##, ##\langle |L_z| \rangle##
There is an hydrogen atom on a electric field along ##z## ##E_z= E_{0z}## .

Consider only the states for ##n=2##. Solving the Saecular matrix for find the correction to first order for the energy and the correction to zero order for the states, we have:

##| \Psi_{211} \rangle##, ##| \Psi_{21-1} \rangle## for ##E^1_{2} = 0## that has degeneration equal to two, and

##\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(| \Psi_{200} \rangle ) +|\Psi_{210} \rangle)## for ##E^1_{2} = W##

##\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(| \Psi_{200} \rangle )- |\Psi_{210} \rangle)## for ##E^1_{2} = -W##

Where ##W## is the value of ##\langle \Psi_{200}| H'|\Psi_{210} \rangle##, ##H'=-eEz##.

Now the statement is: consider the state of the system at ##t=0## equal to ##|\Psi (0) \rangle = |\Psi_{210} \rangle##. Find the state at ##t>0## and calculate ##\langle L^2 \rangle##, ##\langle L_z \rangle##.


MY ATTEMPT



I find that ##|\Psi(t) \rangle = e^{-iE_2t/\hbar}(\cos{\omega t} |\Psi_{200} \rangle -i\sin{\omega t}|\Psi_{210} \rangle)##.

Now I compute ##\langle L_z \rangle## like that. The state of the physical system is described by eigenstates of ##L_z## and ##L^2## because I know that ##L_z |\Psi_{nlm} \rangle = m\hbar |\Psi_{nlm} \rangle## and ##L^2 |\Psi_{nlm} \rangle = \hbar^2 l(l+1) |\Psi_{nlm} \rangle##.

If this is correct, then ##\langle | L_z |\rangle = 0## and ##\langle | L^2 |\rangle = 2\hbar^2 \sin{\omega t}## where ##\omega = \frac{W}{\hbar}##.

Is this a correct answer and method?


I have also another question.
Why ##\langle L_z \rangle = 0##? Because the electric field is along ##z##, and the electron move along z axis: it doens't have any angular momentum component along z.

Why ##\langle L^2 \rangle \neq 0##? On the other hand, electron oscillates perpendicular to x and y axis and there is a component of angular momentum along it. But my question is: what is the variance of ##L_z##? In fact, ##\sigma^2 = \langle L_z^2 \rangle - \langle L_z \rangle ^2##, but if ##L_z |\Psi_{nlm} \rangle= m\hbar |\Psi_{nlm} \rangle##, then ##L_z^2 |\Psi_{nlm} \rangle= m^2\hbar^2 |\Psi_{nlm} \rangle## and is equal to zero because all the states before examinated (##|\Psi_{210} \rangle, |\Psi_{200} \rangle##) has ##m=0##. But if this is true, I can say correctly that ##\langle | L^2 |\rangle = \langle | L^2_x |\rangle+\langle | L^2_y |\rangle## and this last two are equal?
 
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FAQ: Hydrogen Atom in an electric field along ##z##

What is the effect of an electric field on a hydrogen atom?

An electric field can induce a dipole moment in a hydrogen atom, causing the atom to experience a force. This interaction can lead to phenomena such as the Stark effect, where the energy levels of the atom are shifted and split due to the presence of the electric field.

What is the Stark effect in the context of a hydrogen atom?

The Stark effect refers to the splitting and shifting of atomic energy levels in the presence of an external electric field. For a hydrogen atom, this means that the degenerate energy levels of the electron are altered, leading to the appearance of multiple spectral lines when the atom is subjected to an electric field.

How do you calculate the energy shift of a hydrogen atom in an electric field?

The energy shift can be calculated using perturbation theory, where the first-order energy shift is given by the expression ΔE = -, where H' is the perturbing Hamiltonian due to the electric field and u represents the unperturbed state of the atom. For a hydrogen atom in a uniform electric field, H' can be expressed as -eEz, where E is the electric field strength and z is the position along the field direction.

What are the implications of the Stark effect for spectroscopy?

The Stark effect has significant implications for spectroscopy as it allows for the resolution of closely spaced energy levels, making it possible to observe fine structures in spectra. This can provide insights into the electronic structure of atoms and molecules, as well as information about the environment in which the atoms are located.

Can the electric field affect the ionization of a hydrogen atom?

Yes, an external electric field can influence the ionization of a hydrogen atom. The field can lower the ionization energy by stabilizing the electron in the presence of the field, making it easier for the electron to escape. This phenomenon is known as field ionization and is particularly relevant in high electric field strengths.

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