phy-4600/notes/eigenstates
2016-02-12 12:26:39 -05:00

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A(x) is a real-space vector
Ψ(x) is a wave function
A acts on Ψ
Some Ψ, when acted upon by A, result in a multiple of the original Ψ. These Ψ are called eigenstates and may be denoted Ψₐ. In algebraic terms,
A Ψₐ(x) = a Ψₐ(x), where a is complex.
Ψₐ is called an eigenstate of Α corresponding to the eigenvalue a.
If A is a Hermitian operator corresponding to some physical dynamical variable:
∞ ∞
〈A〉 = ∫ Ψₐ⃰ A Ψₐ dx = a ∫ Ψₐ˟ Ψₐ dx = a
-∞ -∞
∞ ∞ ∞
〈A²〉 = ∫ Ψₐ⃰ A² Ψₐ dx = a ∫ Ψ⃰ₐ A Ψₐ dx = a² ∫ Ψₐ˟ Ψₐ dx = a²
-∞ -∞ -∞
σ² = 〈A²〉 - 〈A〉² = a² - a² = 0