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Perturbation Theory Slides

1) Perturbation theory allows approximating solutions to small perturbations of a solvable Hamiltonian. It constructs solutions as power series in a "housekeeping" parameter γ that controls the strength of the perturbation. 2) Equating like powers of γ in the perturbed Schrodinger equation produces a set of progressively simpler equations that can be solved order-by-order for corrections to the energy and wavefunction. 3) The zeroth order equation reproduces the unperturbed solution. Higher order equations involve the perturbation and previously determined lower order corrections. This allows systematically improving the approximation.

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Karencita Martínez
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231 views18 pages

Perturbation Theory Slides

1) Perturbation theory allows approximating solutions to small perturbations of a solvable Hamiltonian. It constructs solutions as power series in a "housekeeping" parameter γ that controls the strength of the perturbation. 2) Equating like powers of γ in the perturbed Schrodinger equation produces a set of progressively simpler equations that can be solved order-by-order for corrections to the energy and wavefunction. 3) The zeroth order equation reproduces the unperturbed solution. Higher order equations involve the perturbation and previously determined lower order corrections. This allows systematically improving the approximation.

Uploaded by

Karencita Martínez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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8.

3 Perturbation theory

Slides: Video 8.3.1 Constructing


perturbation theory
Text reference: Quantum Mechanics
for Scientists and Engineers
Section 6.3 (up to First order
perturbation theory)
Perturbation theory

Constructing perturbation theory

Quantum mechanics for scientists and engineers David Miller


Time-independent perturbation theory

Presume some unperturbed Hamiltonian H o


that has known normalized eigen solutions
i.e., H 0 n En n
We can imagine that our perturbation
could be progressively turned on
at least in a mathematical sense
For example
we could be progressively increasing applied field E
from zero to some specific value
Time-independent perturbation theory

We look successively Em Em(0) a E


for the changes in the solutions
for example, for the mth energy
eigenvalue Em Em
proportional first to electric field E (0)
Em
first-order corrections

0
Electric field, E
Time-independent perturbation theory

We look successively Em Em(0) a E b E2


for the changes in the solutions
for example, for the mth energy
eigenvalue Em Em
proportional first to electric field E (0)
Em
first-order corrections
proportional to E2
second-order corrections 0
and so on Electric field, E
Time-independent perturbation theory

It is more convenient and general Em Em(0) Em(1) 2 Em(2)


if we imagine a specific fixed
perturbation (e.g., a field E )
and we mathematically increase a Em
house-keeping parameter
Em(0)
from 0 to 1
so our perturbation is E
with E fixed 0 1
Now we express changes as orders of
rather than of the field itself
The house-keeping parameter

So, instead of writing Em Em(0) a E b E2


we are writing Em Em(0) Em(1) 2 Em(2)
and instead of working out a and b
we are going to work out parameters
Em(1) and Em(2) and so on
These have dimensions of energy
and reflect the first order and second order
corrections to the energy
as a result of the specific perturbation
e.g., a specific field E
The house-keeping parameter

In general, then, we imagine that our perturbed system has


some additional term in the Hamiltonian
the perturbing Hamiltonian H p
In our example case of an infinitely deep potential well
with an applied field
that perturbing Hamiltonian would be H p e E z Lz / 2
In the theory, we write the perturbing Hamiltonian as H p
using to keep track of the order of the corrections
through the powers of in the expressions
We can set = 1 at the end if we like
The house-keeping parameter

So, we could set up the theory using Em Em(0) a E b E2


in which case we would work out a and b
and some other parameters
But, to make it more general we use
Em Em(0) Em(1) 2 Em(2)
and work out the parameters
Em(1) and Em(2) and some other parameters
If this is confusing at first
then just think of as the strength of the electric field
in our specific problem
Construction of the orders of perturbation theory

With this way of thinking about the problem


mathematically
we can write the perturbed Schrdinger equation as

H H E
o p
We now presume that we can express
the resulting perturbed eigenfunction and eigenvalue
as power series in this parameter, i.e.,
0 1 2 2 3 3
E E E 2 E 3E
0 1 2 3
Construction of the orders of perturbation theory

We now substitute these power series


0 1 2 2 3 3
E E E 2E 3E
0 1 2 3

into the perturbed Schrdinger equation

to get

H o H p E

H H
0
0 1 2 2
p

E E 2E
0 1 2
0
2
1 2

Construction of the orders of perturbation theory
n
Now, at any specific point in space, each function

and each function H 0 H p
n

is just some number


So, at any specific point in space, the left hand side of
H H
0
0 1 2 2
p

E E 2E
0 1 2
0
2
1 2

is just a power series in , e.g., a0 a1 a2 2 a3 3
and so is the right hand side, e.g., b0 b1 b2 2 b3 3
Construction of the orders of perturbation theory

Because a power series expansion is unique


the only way the equality of two power series can work
a0 a1 a2 2 a3 3 b0 b1 b2 2 b3 3
for every value of within some convergence range
e.g., 0 to 1
is if the terms are equal, one by one, i.e.,
a0 b0 a1 b1 a2 b2 a3 b3
and so on
Construction of the orders of perturbation theory

Hence, in
H 0 H p 0 1 2 2

E E 2E
0 1 2
0
2
1 2

we can equate each term with a specific power of
and hence obtain
a progressive set of equations
which we can solve to evaluate corrections
to whatever order we wish
Progressive set of perturbation theory equations

In H 0 H p 0 1 2 2

E E 2E
0 1 2
0
2
1 2

equating terms in 0, i.e., terms without
gives the zeroth order equation H o 0 E 0 0
i.e., the unperturbed Hamiltonian equation
with eigenfunctions n and eigenvalues En
So if we now presume we start in a specific eigenstate m
we write m and Em
instead of 0 and E 0
Progressive set of perturbation theory equations

So, with H 0 H p m 1 2 2
1 2

Em E 2 E m 2
1 2

we get a progressive set of equations
each equating a different power of
H o m Em m
H o H p m Em E m
1 1 1

H o H p Em E E m
2 1 2 1 1 2

and so on
Progressive set of perturbation theory equations
We can rewrite these equations as

H o m Em m H o Em m 0
H o H p m Em E m
1 1 1


H o Em E H p m
1 1

H o H p Em E E m
2 1 2 1 1 2

2
1

H o Em E H p E m
1 2

and so on

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