chapter 9
The Harmonic Oscillator
One of the most important concepts in physics is the harmonic oscillator. In this chapter we will explore the behavior of a harmonic oscillator in quantum mechanics.
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
In this chapter you will
• learn the hamiltonian for the harmonic oscillator
• calculate the eigenstates and energies of the harmonic oscillator
• learn about the raising and lowering or ladder operators
The harmonic oscillator for a particle of mass m is described by the potential V = 1/2kx2 where k = mω2. Solutions to the Schrödinger equation for this potential are given in terms of Hermite polynomials, and they can be obtained ...
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