University Advanced Quantum Mechanics · topic UAQM-10.02
Field operators, change of basis and the wavefunction recovered
Connect the ideas, make your working visible, and test the result. Use the hints when you need a starting point; open the full solution after your attempt.
Further practice
Work through a fresh case before tackling the extension.
Field operators, change of basis and the wavefunction: predict a finite change
The field operator ψ(x) = Σᵢ φᵢ(x)cᵢ removes a particle at position r with spin σ; it is the same operator whichever complete orthonormal orbitals expand it, and its matrix elements between the vacuum and an N-particle state are that state's wavefunction. Use the supplied topic model Y_out = sqrt(2)*(sin(pi/4)*(cosd(mix)*sin(2*pi*xp) + sind(mix)*sin(3*pi*xp)) - (cosd(mix) + sin(pi/4)*sind(mix))*sin(pi*xp)), where Y_out is Ψ(L/4, x₂) × L (dimensionless). The output symbol Y_out is distinct from all input symbols. ^ denotes a power; π = 3.141592653589793; sqrt(x) means √x; sind/cosd/tand use degrees; unmarked trigonometric functions use radians. mix is Mixing with empty φ₃, β, measured in °. Keep th (Occupied rotation θ) = 0 °; xp (Second electron x₂) = 0.3 L fixed. For this exercise use only 9.5625 ° ≤ mix ≤ 66.2625 ° on this continuous branch. A grid of test settings is an input restriction for this exercise, not by itself a claim of physical quantisation. This calculation retains the topic model's stated assumptions; it does not extend them to a different physical setup. Calculate Y_out at mix = 22.0365 ° and 29.9745 °. Find the signed output change ΔY_out and the average sensitivity ΔY_out/Δmix across this interval. State whether the response increases or decreases; distinguish this interval average from a derivative at one point.
Ψ(L/4, x₂) × L against mix
Predictions from the supplied Field operators, change of basis and the wavefunction model, with all other inputs fixed as stated in the question. 5 calibration points support a trend comparison; they are not measured data or a straight-line law.
Vertical axis (y): Ψ(L/4, x₂) × L
Horizontal axis (x): mix: Mixing with empty φ₃, β / °
Axes show the supplied calibration interval; the origin may lie outside the plot.
Read the exact data as a table
| mix: Mixing with empty φ₃, β / ° | Ψ(L/4, x₂) × L |
|---|---|
| 9.5625 | -0.2734453176442383 |
| 23.7375 | -0.37800624570671876 |
| 37.9125 | -0.4595483270530312 |
| 52.087500000000006 | -0.5131060229050558 |
| 66.2625 | -0.5354179152166867 |
These are the supplied values, not a worked answer. No fitted trend is drawn.
Show a hint
Substitute each value of mix separately while keeping every other input fixed, then subtract in the same order.
Reveal the worked solution
- At mix = 22.0365 °, substitute into Y_out = sqrt(2)*(sin(pi/4)*(cosd(mix)*sin(2*pi*xp) + sind(mix)*sin(3*pi*xp)) - (cosd(mix) + sin(pi/4)*sind(mix))*sin(pi*xp)): Y₀ = -0.36656.
- At mix = 29.9745 °, the same fixed-parameter model gives Y₁ = -0.417051.
- Signed change: ΔY_out = Y₁ − Y₀ = -0.0504901; the input change is Δmix = 7.938 °.
- Average sensitivity is ΔY_out/Δmix = -0.00636056 1 per °. Its negative sign means that this response decreases over the specified interval.
- This is a secant slope between two settings. It equals a point derivative only for a locally linear relation or in a justified small-interval limit.
Answer Y₀ = -0.36656, Y₁ = -0.417051; ΔY_out = -0.0504901; average sensitivity = -0.00636056 1 per °.
Compare the assumptions, method and units with your attempt. Explain any correction before trying another question.
Extra challenging questions
Work through the linked stages and explain what each result means.
Field operators, change of basis and the wavefunction: infer an input with uncertainty
The field operator ψ(x) = Σᵢ φᵢ(x)cᵢ removes a particle at position r with spin σ; it is the same operator whichever complete orthonormal orbitals expand it, and its matrix elements between the vacuum and an N-particle state are that state's wavefunction. Use the supplied topic model Y_out = sqrt(2)*(sin(pi/4)*(cosd(mix)*sin(2*pi*xp) + sind(mix)*sin(3*pi*xp)) - (cosd(mix) + sin(pi/4)*sind(mix))*sin(pi*xp)), where Y_out is Ψ(L/4, x₂) × L (dimensionless). The output symbol Y_out is distinct from all input symbols. ^ denotes a power; π = 3.141592653589793; sqrt(x) means √x; sind/cosd/tand use degrees; unmarked trigonometric functions use radians. mix is Mixing with empty φ₃, β, measured in °. Keep th (Occupied rotation θ) = 0 °; xp (Second electron x₂) = 0.3 L fixed. For this exercise use only 9.5625 ° ≤ mix ≤ 66.2625 ° on this continuous branch. A grid of test settings is an input restriction for this exercise, not by itself a claim of physical quantisation. This calculation retains the topic model's stated assumptions; it does not extend them to a different physical setup. A reading gives Y_out = -0.48679633, with a bounded reading uncertainty ±0.0072932. Treat the model and all fixed inputs as exact for this exercise; the bound is not a standard deviation. First estimate the unknown mix by straight-line interpolation between the two endpoint predictions. Then solve the actual model on the stated branch to an absolute input tolerance of 0.00567 °, using a numerical bracket if required. Find the full input interval consistent with the bounded reading uncertainty and compare it with a symmetric input-error assumption. Do not assume that the supplied calibration points prove monotonicity outside this branch.
Ψ(L/4, x₂) × L against mix
Predictions from the supplied Field operators, change of basis and the wavefunction model, with all other inputs fixed as stated in the question. 5 calibration points support a trend comparison; they are not measured data or a straight-line law.
Vertical axis (y): Ψ(L/4, x₂) × L
Horizontal axis (x): mix: Mixing with empty φ₃, β / °
Axes show the supplied calibration interval; the origin may lie outside the plot.
Read the exact data as a table
| mix: Mixing with empty φ₃, β / ° | Ψ(L/4, x₂) × L |
|---|---|
| 9.5625 | -0.2734453176442383 |
| 23.7375 | -0.37800624570671876 |
| 37.9125 | -0.4595483270530312 |
| 52.087500000000006 | -0.5131060229050558 |
| 66.2625 | -0.5354179152166867 |
These are the supplied values, not a worked answer. No fitted trend is drawn.
Show a hint
The model's endpoint predictions bracket the reading. Solve Y_out(mix) = Y_measured and then solve again at Y_measured − u and Y_measured + u; a nonlinear inverse can give unequal input deviations.
Reveal the worked solution
- Endpoint predictions are Y_out(9.5625) = -0.273445 and Y_out(66.2625) = -0.535418. The target lies between them. On the selected branch the response is strictly decreasing.
- Endpoint interpolation gives mix_line = 9.5625 + (-0.486796 − -0.273445)(66.2625 − 9.5625)/(-0.535418 − -0.273445) = 55.7391 °. This estimates the inverse of the endpoint chord, rather than assuming that chord is the physical model.
- Use the actual equation, not the chord, and bracket its root. Evaluating the midpoint and retaining the sign-changing half-interval gives mix = 44.1495 °; substituting back gives Y_out = -0.48679633.
- The interpolation error in the input is |mix_line − mix| = 11.5896 °. This is larger than the requested numerical tolerance.
- Invert both limits Y_out = -0.49408953 and -0.47950313. Sort the roots even if the response decreases: 42.3476 ° ≤ mix ≤ 46.0838 °.
- The lower and upper input deviations are 1.80192 ° and 1.93435 °. They differ because the inverse response is nonlinear; a symmetric error bar would only be a local approximation. This interval includes reading uncertainty only, not model error or uncertainty in fixed inputs.
Answer mix ≈ 44.1495 °; compatible interval [42.3476, 46.0838] °. Endpoint interpolation gives 55.7391 °.
Compare the assumptions, method and units with your attempt. Explain any correction before trying another question.