- #1
Peeter
- 305
- 3
An old QM exam question asked for consideration of a two-level quantum system, with a Hamiltonian of
[tex]H = \frac{\hbar \Delta}{2} ( {\lvert {b} \rangle}{\langle {b} \rvert}- {\lvert {a} \rangle}{\langle {a} \rvert})+ i \frac{\hbar \Omega}{2} ( {\lvert {a} \rangle}{\langle {b} \rvert}- {\lvert {b} \rangle}{\langle {a} \rvert})[/tex]
where [itex]\Delta[/itex] and [itex]\Omega[/itex] are real positive constants.
I did the question itself, but was left wondering what sort of physical system has a Hamiltonian of this form? Reading Feynman he reasons that the "up" or "down" orientation of the ammonia atom has a Hamiltonian with a similar form. Namely,
[tex]H = E_0 ( {\lvert {b} \rangle}{\langle {b} \rvert}+ {\lvert {a} \rangle}{\langle {a} \rvert})- A( {\lvert {a} \rangle}{\langle {b} \rvert}+ {\lvert {b} \rangle}{\langle {a} \rvert})[/tex]
That's a fairly close match, but doesn't have the imaginary factor and different signs.
[tex]H = \frac{\hbar \Delta}{2} ( {\lvert {b} \rangle}{\langle {b} \rvert}- {\lvert {a} \rangle}{\langle {a} \rvert})+ i \frac{\hbar \Omega}{2} ( {\lvert {a} \rangle}{\langle {b} \rvert}- {\lvert {b} \rangle}{\langle {a} \rvert})[/tex]
where [itex]\Delta[/itex] and [itex]\Omega[/itex] are real positive constants.
I did the question itself, but was left wondering what sort of physical system has a Hamiltonian of this form? Reading Feynman he reasons that the "up" or "down" orientation of the ammonia atom has a Hamiltonian with a similar form. Namely,
[tex]H = E_0 ( {\lvert {b} \rangle}{\langle {b} \rvert}+ {\lvert {a} \rangle}{\langle {a} \rvert})- A( {\lvert {a} \rangle}{\langle {b} \rvert}+ {\lvert {b} \rangle}{\langle {a} \rvert})[/tex]
That's a fairly close match, but doesn't have the imaginary factor and different signs.