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Homework Statement
The Heisenberg uncertainty principle can be derived by operator algebra , as follows. Consider a one-dimensional system, with position and momentum observables x and p. The goal is to find the minimum possible uncertainties in the predicted values of the position and momentum in any state [tex]|\varphi>[/tex] of the system. We need the following preliminaries.Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
a) Suppose the self-adjoint observables q and r satisfy the commutation relation
[r,q]=iq, where c is a constant(not an operator). Show c is real.
should I take the self-adjoint of [r,q], i.e.[tex][r,q]^{\dagger}[/tex] ?
b) Let the system have the normalized state vector [tex]|\varphi>[/tex] and define the ket vector
[tex] |\phi>=(\alpha*r+iq)|\varphi>[/tex] where [tex] \alpha[/tex] is a real constant(again, a number , not an operator). used equations [tex]<\phi|\phi> >=0[/tex] and [r,q]=ic to show that
[tex]\alpha^2<r^2>-\alpha*c+<q^2>>=0[/tex], where [tex]<r^2>=<\varphi|r^2|\varphi>[/tex] and [tex]q^2[/tex]
Should I begin by finding [tex] <\phi|\phi>[/tex]?
Since, [tex] |\phi>=(\alpha*r+iq)|\varphi>[/tex] would that mean [tex] <\phi|=<|\varphi(\alpha*r-iq)[/tex]
c) By seeking the value of [tex]\alpha[/tex] that minimizes the left side of the equation [tex]\alpha^2<r^2>-\alpha*c+<q^2>>=0[/tex], show
[tex] <r^2><q^2>=c^2/4[/tex]
should I multiply the expectation value [tex]<r^2>[/tex] to the equation [tex]\alpha^2<r^2> -\alpha*c+<q^2>>=0[/tex]