Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1407.3438

Analyzing the Time Evolution of Wave Functions by Decomposing the Hamiltonian into State-Preserving and State-Changing Hamiltonians

Chyi-Lung Lin

Published Jul 13, 2014• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We show a new method for analyzing the time evolution of the Schrodinger wave function Psi(x,t). We propose the decomposition of the Hamiltonian as: H(t)=Hp(t)+Hc(t), where Hp(t) is the Hamiltonian such that Psi(x,t) is its instantaneous eigenfunction, and Hc(t) the Hamiltonian which changes the state Psi. With this decomposition, the action of H(t) on the wave function is simplified and the Schrodinger equation is in a simpler form which can be solved more easily. We illustrate this method by exactly solving the Schrodinger equation for cases of nonspreading wave packets. This method can be applied as well to analyzing the time evolution of general Hamiltonian systems.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.1407.3438

Related papers

A new method for analyzing the time evolution of quantum mechanical systems

Chyi-Lung Lin, Tsin-Fu Jiang

We show a new method for analyzing the time evolution of the Schrodinger wave function phi(x,t). We propose the decomposition of the Hamiltonian as: H(t)=Hp(t)+Hc(t), where Hp(t)is the operator which does not change the state and therefore phi(x,t) is its eigenfunction, and Hc(t)is the operator that changes the state. With this decomposition, the time evolution of a wave function can be understood more clearly via the operator Hc(t). We illustrate this method by exactly solving the system of driven harmonic oscillator. We show that nonspreading wave packets exist in this system in addition to historically known paradigms. This method can be applied to analyze the time evolution of general Hamiltonian systems as well.

arXiv:1408.1623•Aug 7, 2014•0 citations

Analyzing and constructing general nonspreading wave packets

Chyi-Lung Lin

We show the method for constructing nonspreading wave packets whose shape and motion can be general. We analyze the time evolution of nonspreading wave packets by decomposing the Hamiltonian into two parts. Of the two, one changes the instantaneous state, the other does not. Through this decomposition, the time evolution operator is shown to be effectively a spatial shifting operator. This explains why nonspreading wave packets can be nonspreading. And we show that the part of the Hamiltonian which changes the instantaneous state governs the motion of the nonspreading wave packets.

arXiv:1708.09589•Aug 31, 2017•0 citations

Time Dependent Schrödinger Equation

Pawel Scharoch, Maciej P. Polak, Radosław Szymon +1 more

This project looks into the time evolution of a wave function within a two-dimensional quantum well. We start by solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for stationary states in a quantum well. Next, we express any wave function as a linear combination of stationary states, allowing us to understand their time evolution. Two methods are presented: one relies on decomposing the wave function into a basis of stationary states and the other on discretisation of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, incorporating three-point formulas for derivatives. These approaches necessitate confronting intricate boundary conditions and require maintaining energy conservation for numerical accuracy. We further demonstrate the methods using a wave packet, revealing fundamental phenomena in quantum physics. Our results demonstrate the utility of these methods in understanding quantum systems, despite the challenges in determining stationary states for a given potential. This study enhances our comprehension of the dynamics of quantum states in constrained systems, essential for fields like quantum computing and nanotechnology.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•Jan 31, 2024•0 citations

The Schrödinger Equation

Uri Peskin

The postulates of quantum mechanics associate the time-evolution of a system with its time-dependent Schrödinger equation. We start by examining different solutions to this equation for a particle, represented in terms of a Gaussian wave packet, in different scenarios: free, scattered from a potential energy barrier, or trapped in a potential energy well. In some cases, we encounter stationary solutions, in which the probability density does not change in time (a standing wave). These solutions are identified as eigenfunctions of a system Hamiltonian. The properties of the Hamiltonian as a Hermitian operator are introduced, and particularly, the fact that its proper eigenfunctions can compose an orthonormal set, and that the corresponding eigenvalues are real-valued. Learning that all operators that relate to measurables are Hermitian, and that their eigenvalues relate to the measured values, we conclude that the eigenvalues of the energy operator (Hamiltonian) are the energy levels of the quantum system.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•May 11, 2023•0 citations

The Effective Hamiltonian and Ehrenfest Theorem in the Propagation Dynamics of Nonspreading Wave Packets

Chyi-Lung Lin

We analyze the propagation dynamics of nonspreading wave packets by decomposing the Hamiltonian H into two parts: H = □(t) + H_c(t). The first part □(t) is such that Ψ(x, t) is its instantaneous eigenstate, and is therefore irrelevant to the propagation of the packet. The second part H_c(t) is shown to be the effective Hamiltonian governing the propagation dynamics of nonspreading wave packets both quantum mechanically and classically. The Ehrenfest theorem is thus based on the Hamiltonian H_c(t) connecting quantum mechanics and classical mechanics. This analysis also works for non-square-integrable packets, such as Airy packets, and explains why Airy packets can self-accelerate in free space.

Chinese Journal of Physics•Oct 1, 2014•0 citations

Quantum Dynamics

Uri Peskin

Explicitly time-dependent Hamiltonians are ubiquitous in applications of quantum theory. It is therefore necessary to solve the time-dependent Schrödinger equation directly. The system’s dynamics is associated with a unitary time-evolution operator (a propagator), formally given as an infinite Dyson series. Time-dependent observables are invariant under unitary time-dependent transformations, where it is sometimes useful to transform the time-evolution from the states into the corresponding operators. This is carried out in part (in full) by transforming to the interaction (Heisenberg) picture. The corresponding equations of motion for the time-dependent operators are introduced. For quadratic potential energy functions, the time evolution of quantum expectation values coincides with the corresponding classical dynamics. This is demonstrated and analyzed in detail for Gaussian wave packets and a coherent state. Finally, we derive exact and approximate expressions for time-dependent transition probabilities and transition rates between quantum states. The validity of time-dependent perturbation theory is analyzed by comparison to exact dynamics.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•May 11, 2023•0 citations
We show a new method for analyzing the time evolution of the Schrodinger wave function Psi(x,t). We propose the decomposition of the Hamiltonian as: H(t)=Hp(t)+Hc(t), where Hp(t) is the Hamiltonian such that Psi(x,t) is its instantaneous eigenfunction, and Hc(t) the Hamiltonian which changes the state Psi. With this decomposition, the action of H(t) on the wave function is simplified and the Schrodinger equation is in a simpler form which can be solved more easily. We illustrate this method by exactly solving the Schrodinger equation for cases of nonspreading wave packets. This method can be applied as well to analyzing the time evolution of general Hamiltonian systems.
We show a new method for analyzing the time evolution of the Schrodinger wave function phi(x,t). We propose the decomposition of the Hamiltonian as: H(t)=Hp(t)+Hc(t), where Hp(t)is the operator which does not change the state and therefore phi(x,t) is its eigenfunction, and Hc(t)is the operator that changes the state. With this decomposition, the time evolution of a wave function can be understood more clearly via the operator Hc(t). We illustrate this method by exactly solving the system of driven harmonic oscillator. We show that nonspreading wave packets exist in this system in addition to historically known paradigms. This method can be applied to analyze the time evolution of general Hamiltonian systems as well.
We show the method for constructing nonspreading wave packets whose shape and motion can be general. We analyze the time evolution of nonspreading wave packets by decomposing the Hamiltonian into two parts. Of the two, one changes the instantaneous state, the other does not. Through this decomposition, the time evolution operator is shown to be effectively a spatial shifting operator. This explains why nonspreading wave packets can be nonspreading. And we show that the part of the Hamiltonian which changes the instantaneous state governs the motion of the nonspreading wave packets.
This project looks into the time evolution of a wave function within a two-dimensional quantum well. We start by solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for stationary states in a quantum well. Next, we express any wave function as a linear combination of stationary states, allowing us to understand their time evolution. Two methods are presented: one relies on decomposing the wave function into a basis of stationary states and the other on discretisation of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, incorporating three-point formulas for derivatives. These approaches necessitate confronting intricate boundary conditions and require maintaining energy conservation for numerical accuracy. We further demonstrate the methods using a wave packet, revealing fundamental phenomena in quantum physics. Our results demonstrate the utility of these methods in understanding quantum systems, despite the challenges in determining stationary states for a given potential. This study enhances our comprehension of the dynamics of quantum states in constrained systems, essential for fields like quantum computing and nanotechnology.
The postulates of quantum mechanics associate the time-evolution of a system with its time-dependent Schrödinger equation. We start by examining different solutions to this equation for a particle, represented in terms of a Gaussian wave packet, in different scenarios: free, scattered from a potential energy barrier, or trapped in a potential energy well. In some cases, we encounter stationary solutions, in which the probability density does not change in time (a standing wave). These solutions are identified as eigenfunctions of a system Hamiltonian. The properties of the Hamiltonian as a Hermitian operator are introduced, and particularly, the fact that its proper eigenfunctions can compose an orthonormal set, and that the corresponding eigenvalues are real-valued. Learning that all operators that relate to measurables are Hermitian, and that their eigenvalues relate to the measured values, we conclude that the eigenvalues of the energy operator (Hamiltonian) are the energy levels of the quantum system.
We analyze the propagation dynamics of nonspreading wave packets by decomposing the Hamiltonian H into two parts: H = □(t) + H_c(t). The first part □(t) is such that Ψ(x, t) is its instantaneous eigenstate, and is therefore irrelevant to the propagation of the packet. The second part H_c(t) is shown to be the effective Hamiltonian governing the propagation dynamics of nonspreading wave packets both quantum mechanically and classically. The Ehrenfest theorem is thus based on the Hamiltonian H_c(t) connecting quantum mechanics and classical mechanics. This analysis also works for non-square-integrable packets, such as Airy packets, and explains why Airy packets can self-accelerate in free space.
Explicitly time-dependent Hamiltonians are ubiquitous in applications of quantum theory. It is therefore necessary to solve the time-dependent Schrödinger equation directly. The system’s dynamics is associated with a unitary time-evolution operator (a propagator), formally given as an infinite Dyson series. Time-dependent observables are invariant under unitary time-dependent transformations, where it is sometimes useful to transform the time-evolution from the states into the corresponding operators. This is carried out in part (in full) by transforming to the interaction (Heisenberg) picture. The corresponding equations of motion for the time-dependent operators are introduced. For quadratic potential energy functions, the time evolution of quantum expectation values coincides with the corresponding classical dynamics. This is demonstrated and analyzed in detail for Gaussian wave packets and a coherent state. Finally, we derive exact and approximate expressions for time-dependent transition probabilities and transition rates between quantum states. The validity of time-dependent perturbation theory is analyzed by comparison to exact dynamics.