Hamiltonian of the Half Harmonic Oscillator

In summary, the Hamiltonian of the Half Harmonic Oscillator is a mathematical representation of the total energy of a system that exhibits harmonic motion in one direction. It differs from the regular Harmonic Oscillator in that it is confined to a potential well on one side, resulting in different energy levels and behavior. The Half Harmonic Oscillator is significant in physics as it helps us understand how particles behave in confined spaces and has various applications. It is derived from the classical Hamiltonian by applying quantum principles. Real-world examples of the Half Harmonic Oscillator can be found in systems such as diatomic molecules, particles trapped in a potential well, and pendulums with limited range of motion.
  • #1
Raxonan
1
0
Given the half harmonic potential:

\begin{equation}V=\begin{cases}1/2\omega^2mx^2 & x > 0\\\infty & x < 0\end{cases}\end{equation}What will be the Hamiltonian of the half oscillator?I understand that for x>0 the Hamiltonian will be:

\begin{equation}H=\frac{1}{2}\omega^2mx^2+\frac{P^2}{2m}\end{equation}

But how do I find the Hamiltonian for the part when V = ∞?
 
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  • #2
The infinite potential simply constrains the particle to the region x > 0. The wave-equation for x < 0 must be 0. I can't see how you could define a Hamiltonian for this.
 

Related to Hamiltonian of the Half Harmonic Oscillator

1. What is the Hamiltonian of the Half Harmonic Oscillator?

The Hamiltonian of the Half Harmonic Oscillator is a mathematical representation of the total energy of a system that exhibits harmonic motion, but only in one direction. It is commonly used in quantum mechanics and other areas of physics to describe the energy levels of a particle confined to a potential well.

2. How is the Hamiltonian of the Half Harmonic Oscillator different from the regular Harmonic Oscillator?

The main difference is that the regular Harmonic Oscillator has no boundaries, while the Half Harmonic Oscillator is confined to a potential well on one side. This results in different energy levels and behavior of the system.

3. What is the significance of the Half Harmonic Oscillator in physics?

The Half Harmonic Oscillator is a simple yet important model that helps us understand how particles behave in confined spaces, such as in a solid state or quantum systems. It also has applications in other areas, such as in modeling the behavior of atoms and molecules in chemical reactions.

4. How is the Hamiltonian of the Half Harmonic Oscillator derived?

The Hamiltonian of the Half Harmonic Oscillator is derived from the classical Hamiltonian, which describes the total energy of a system in terms of its position and momentum. By applying quantum principles, such as the uncertainty principle, to the classical Hamiltonian, we can derive the quantum Hamiltonian for a Half Harmonic Oscillator.

5. Are there any real-world examples of the Half Harmonic Oscillator?

Yes, the Half Harmonic Oscillator can be found in various systems, such as a diatomic molecule vibrating in one direction, a particle trapped in a potential well, or a pendulum with a limited range of motion. It is also used in the field of solid-state physics to model the behavior of electrons in a crystal lattice.

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