The mean value in Quantum Mechanics is the average
result obtained when a large number of measurements are made on identical systems, i.e.
systems in the same state |Ψ(t)>.
For the harmonic oscillator
<X> = <Φn|X|Φn> = 0, <P> = <Φn|P|Φn>
= 0.
The mean value of X and P in an eigenstate of H is always zero.
The classical mean value can be defined as the
average result obtained when a large number of measurements are made on the same system at
different times, or when a large number of measurements are made at the same time on
different systems, whose phases are randomly chosen.
xavg
= (xM/T)∫0Tcos(ωt + φ)dt = 0, T =
2π/ω = period,
or
xavg
= (xM/2π)∫02πcos(ωt + φ)dφ = 0.
pavg
= -mv = -(mωxM/T)∫0Tsin(ωt + φ)dt = 0,
or pavg
= -(mωxM/2π)∫02πsin(ωt + φ)dφ = 0.
For a harmonic oscillator of well-defined energy <X> =
xavg
= 0, <P> =
pavg = 0.
But we have to remember that the classical and quantum mechanical mean value are
interpreted differently.
In a similar way the quantum mechanical and the classical root-mean-square deviation
are interpreted differently.
In Quantum Mechanics we define
(ΔX)2 = <X2> - <X>2 = <X2>,
(ΔP)2 = <P2> - <P>2 = <P2>.
X2 = (ħ/(2mω))(a† + a)(a† + a) =
(ħ/(2mω))(aa + aa† + a†a + a†a†),
P2 = -(mħω/2)(a† - a)(a† - a) = (mħω/2)(-aa + aa† + a†a - a†a†).
<Φn|a†a†|Φn> =
<aΦn|a†Φn> ∝
<Φn-1|Φn+1> = 0.
<Φn|aa|Φn> =
<a†Φn|aΦn> ∝
<Φn+1|Φn-1> = 0.
<Φn|a†a|Φn> =
<aΦn|aΦn> = n.
<Φn|aa†|Φn> =
<a†Φn|a†Φn> = n +
1.
<X2> = (ħ/(2mω))(2n + 1) = (ħ/(mω))(n + ½).
<P2> = (mħω/2)(2n + 1) = mħω(n + ½).
ΔXΔP = (n + ½)ħ.
ΔXΔP = ½ħ for n = 0, i.e. for the ground
state.
For a classical harmonic oscillator with energy E = (n + ½)ħω we have
E = ½mω2xM2 = (n + ½)ħω, xM2
= 2(n + ½)ħ/(mω) = 2(ΔX)2.
ΔX = xM/√2.
pM = mωxM = √2mωΔX = √2ΔP.
ΔP = PM/√2.
The quantum mechanical root mean square deviations ΔX and ΔP are proportional to the classical maximum amplitude and maximum momentum.
The classical root-mean-square deviation is given by
x2avg= (xM2/T)∫0Tcos2(ωt + φ)dt
=
(ΔX)2.
p2avg
= (pM2/T)∫0Tsin2(ωt + φ)dt
=
(ΔP)2.
For a harmonic oscillator of well defined energy we obtain the same
root-mean-square deviations. But again we have to remember that the classical and quantum
mechanical root-mean-square deviation are interpreted differently.
Proof:
|Ψ(0)> = ∑ncn|Φn>, |Ψ(t)> = ∑nexp(-iEnt/ħ)cn|Φn>.
<x(t)> = ∑n∑n'cn*cnexp(-i(En
- En)t/ħ)<Φn|X|Φn'>
<Φn|X|Φn'> = (ħ/(2mω))1/2[(n'+1)1/2δn,n'+1
+ (n+1)1/2δn+1,n'].
<x(t)> = (ħ/(2mω))1/2[ ∑n'cn'+1*cn(n'+1)1/2exp(iωt)
+ ∑ncn*cn+1(n+1)1/2exp(-iωt)]
= (ħ/(2mω))1/2 ∑n(n+1)1/2(cn+1*cn
exp(iωt) + cn*cn+1exp(-iωt))
= (ħ/(2mω))1/2 ∑n(n+1)1/2(Re(cn+1*cn)2cos(ωt)
- Im(cn*cn+1)2sin(ωt))
= A(cosφ cos(ωt) - sinφ sin(ωt)) = A cos(ωt + φ).
where Acosφ = (ħ/(2mω))1/2∑n√(n+1) 2Re(cncn+1*),
Asinφ = (ħ/(2mω))1/2∑n√(n+1) 2Im(cncn+1*).
Similarly, <P(t)> = -A mω sin(ωt + φ).
Conclusion:For a one-dimensional simple harmonic oscillator we may define
raising and lowering operators
a = (mω/(2ħ))1/2(X + iP/(mω)), a†
= (mω/(2ħ))1/2(X - iP/(mω)),
with properties
a|n> = √(n) |n - 1>, n ≠ 0, a|n> = 0, b = 0, and
a†|n>
= √(n + 1) |n + 1>.
(a) Show by direct calculation that the ground state of the oscillator satisfies
(ΔX)2(ΔP)2 = ¼|<[x,p]>|2,
and hence is a minimum uncertainty state.
(b) A coherent state of a one-dimensional oscillator, |b>, may be obtained by applying the finite displacement
operator exp(-iPb/ħ) to
the ground state eigenket |0>. Here b is the displacement distance.
Using this definition of a coherent state, prove that the coherent state is also a minimum
uncertainty state.