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:2411.12894 · European Journal of Physics

The time-dependent quantum harmonic oscillator: a pedagogical approach via the Lewis–Riesenfeld dynamical invariant method

Stanley Santiago Coelho, Lucas Queiroz, Danilo T. Alves

Published May 15, 2025• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract In quantum mechanics courses, students often solve the Schrödinger equation for the harmonic oscillator with time-independent parameters. However, time-dependent quantum harmonic oscillators are relevant in modeling several problems as, for instance, the description of quantum motion of particles in traps, shortcuts to adiabaticity, generation of squeezed states, as well as quantum scalar fields evolving in expanding universes. In the present paper, we discuss, with a pedagogical approach, the quantum harmonic oscillator with time-dependent frequency via the Lewis–Riesenfeld dynamical invariant method, revisiting the main steps to obtain the wave function associated with this model, and briefly discussing the relation between this oscillator and the generation of squeezed states. As examples of didactic applications of time-dependent harmonic oscillators and the Lewis–Riesenfeld method in quantum mechanics courses, we solve the following problems: the calculation of the transition probability associated with a harmonic oscillator which undergoes jumps in its frequency, and the analysis of the dynamics of a quantum particle in a Paul trap.

DOI
10.1088/1361-6404/add972

Related papers

Exact Solution of a Time-Dependent Quantum Harmonic Oscillator with Two Frequency Jumps via the Lewis–Riesenfeld Dynamical Invariant Method

Stanley Santiago Coelho, Lucas Queiroz, Danilo T. Alves

Harmonic oscillators with multiple abrupt jumps in their frequencies have been investigated by several authors during the last decades. We investigate the dynamics of a quantum harmonic oscillator with initial frequency ω0, which undergoes a sudden jump to a frequency ω1 and, after a certain time interval, suddenly returns to its initial frequency. Using the Lewis−Riesenfeld method of dynamical invariants, we present expressions for the mean energy value, the mean number of excitations, and the transition probabilities, considering the initial state different from the fundamental. We show that the mean energy of the oscillator, after the jumps, is equal or greater than the one before the jumps, even when ω1<ω0. We also show that, for particular values of the time interval between the jumps, the oscillator returns to the same initial state.

arXiv:2211.06756•Entropy•Dec 19, 2022•11 citations

Squeezing and adiabaticity breaking in time-dependent quantum harmonic oscillators

Mattia Orlandini, Beatrice Donelli, Lorenzo Buffoni +1 more

The quantum harmonic oscillator with time-dependent frequency is a paradigmatic model of driven quantum dynamics and one of the few nontrivial systems that admits an exact analytical solution. In this review paper, we present a unified treatment of the time-dependent oscillator based on the Lewis-Riesenfeld invariant method, Bogoliubov transformations and the Ermakov-Pinney equation. We show how these approaches naturally connect to squeezing for the description of excitations production, and to the breakdown of adiabaticity under generic frequency protocols. Exact results for sudden quenches and smooth ramps are discussed in detail. By explicitly bridging invariant methods and squeezing formalism, this review is meant to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding nonequilibrium dynamics in quadratic potentials, with applications ranging from thermodynamics and condensed matter to quantum control theory.

quant-pharXiv:2605.12124•May 13, 2026•0 citations

Harmonic oscillators coupled time-dependent

Diego Ximenes Macedo

In this work we present the classical and quantum solutions of time-dependent coupled harmonic oscillators. In these systems the masses, frequencies and coupling parameter (k) are functions of time. Four systems are investigated. To obtain the classical solutions we use a coordinate and momentum transformations along with a canonical transformation to write the original Hamiltonian as the sum of two Hamiltonians of uncoupled harmonic oscillators with modified time-dependent frequencies and unitary masses. We find the analytical expression for position and velocity of each oscillator of the systems. To obtain the exact quantum solutions we use a unitary transformation and the Lewis and Riesenfeld invariant method. The wave functions obtained are written in terms of a c-number quantity () which is solution of the Milne-Pinney equation. For each system we solve the respective Milne-Pinney equation and discuss how the quantum fluctuations and the uncertainty product evolve with time.

•Jan 1, 2012•0 citations

Quantum Dynamics of a Particle in a Linear Potential: Invariant Operator Approach and Discrete Spectrum Solutions

Mustapha Maamache, Aymen Bendjoudl

We investigate the quantum dynamics of a particle subjected to a linear potential using the Lewis--Riesenfeld invariant operator method. Starting from the time-dependent Schrödinger equation associated with a constant external force, we construct the most general Hermitian quadratic invariant and derive the corresponding coupled differential equations for its time-dependent coefficients. By means of an appropriate sequence of unitary transformations, the invariant operator is reduced to the form of a harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian. This reduction enables a clear classification of the system according to the sign of the conserved quantity ω2. Particular attention is devoted to the physically relevant case ω2 >0, which yields a discrete eigenspectrum. Explicit analytical expressions for the invariant coefficients, the displacement parameters, and the transformed wave functions are obtained. The resulting formalism provides an exact quantum description of a particle under a constant force and establishes a direct connection between invariant theory and harmonic oscillator quantization.

quant-pharXiv:2606.02112•Jun 2, 2026•0 citations

One-Parameter Squeezed Gaussian States of Time-Dependent Harmonic Oscillator

Jung Kon Kim, Sang Pyo Kim

We show that the nonlinear auxiliary equation for the invariant introduced by Lewis and Riesenfeld for a time-dependent harmonic oscillator is satisfied by the amplitude of a complex soltuion to the classical equation of motion. One-parameter squeezed Gaussian states are found whose parameter denotes the mixing of positive and negative frequency solutions. The minimization of the energy expectation value is shown to provide a criterion to select the vacuum state. PACS number(s): 42.50.D; 03.65.G; 03.65.-w Typeset using REVTEX 1 Harmonic oscillators have played many important roles in quantum physics, partly because they are exactly solvable quantum mechanically and partly because any system around an equilibrium can be approximated as a harmonic oscillator system. As a non-stationary system, a time-dependent quantum harmonic oscillator can also be exactly solved. One can find typical time-dependent harmonic oscillators in a system of harmonic oscillators interacting

•Jun 30, 1998•1 citation

On the quantum dynamics of a general time-dependent coupled oscillator

Rahma Zerimeche, Naima Mana, Maroua Sekhri +2 more

By using the Lewis–Riesenfeld invariants theory, we investigate the quantum dynamics of a two-dimensional (2D) time-dependent coupled oscillator. We introduce a unitary transformation and show the conditions under which the invariant operator is uncoupled to describe two simple harmonic oscillators with time-independent frequencies and unit masses. The decouplement allows us to easily obtain the corresponding eigenstates. The generalization to three-dimensional (3D) time-dependent coupled oscillator is briefly discussed where a diagonalized invariant, which is exactly the sum of three simple harmonic oscillators, is obtained under specific conditions on the parameters.

Modern Physics Letters B•Feb 20, 2023•1 citation
Abstract In quantum mechanics courses, students often solve the Schrödinger equation for the harmonic oscillator with time-independent parameters. However, time-dependent quantum harmonic oscillators are relevant in modeling several problems as, for instance, the description of quantum motion of particles in traps, shortcuts to adiabaticity, generation of squeezed states, as well as quantum scalar fields evolving in expanding universes. In the present paper, we discuss, with a pedagogical approach, the quantum harmonic oscillator with time-dependent frequency via the Lewis–Riesenfeld dynamical invariant method, revisiting the main steps to obtain the wave function associated with this model, and briefly discussing the relation between this oscillator and the generation of squeezed states. As examples of didactic applications of time-dependent harmonic oscillators and the Lewis–Riesenfeld method in quantum mechanics courses, we solve the following problems: the calculation of the transition probability associated with a harmonic oscillator which undergoes jumps in its frequency, and the analysis of the dynamics of a quantum particle in a Paul trap.
Harmonic oscillators with multiple abrupt jumps in their frequencies have been investigated by several authors during the last decades. We investigate the dynamics of a quantum harmonic oscillator with initial frequency ω0, which undergoes a sudden jump to a frequency ω1 and, after a certain time interval, suddenly returns to its initial frequency. Using the Lewis−Riesenfeld method of dynamical invariants, we present expressions for the mean energy value, the mean number of excitations, and the transition probabilities, considering the initial state different from the fundamental. We show that the mean energy of the oscillator, after the jumps, is equal or greater than the one before the jumps, even when ω1<ω0. We also show that, for particular values of the time interval between the jumps, the oscillator returns to the same initial state.
The quantum harmonic oscillator with time-dependent frequency is a paradigmatic model of driven quantum dynamics and one of the few nontrivial systems that admits an exact analytical solution. In this review paper, we present a unified treatment of the time-dependent oscillator based on the Lewis-Riesenfeld invariant method, Bogoliubov transformations and the Ermakov-Pinney equation. We show how these approaches naturally connect to squeezing for the description of excitations production, and to the breakdown of adiabaticity under generic frequency protocols. Exact results for sudden quenches and smooth ramps are discussed in detail. By explicitly bridging invariant methods and squeezing formalism, this review is meant to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding nonequilibrium dynamics in quadratic potentials, with applications ranging from thermodynamics and condensed matter to quantum control theory.
In this work we present the classical and quantum solutions of time-dependent coupled harmonic oscillators. In these systems the masses, frequencies and coupling parameter (k) are functions of time. Four systems are investigated. To obtain the classical solutions we use a coordinate and momentum transformations along with a canonical transformation to write the original Hamiltonian as the sum of two Hamiltonians of uncoupled harmonic oscillators with modified time-dependent frequencies and unitary masses. We find the analytical expression for position and velocity of each oscillator of the systems. To obtain the exact quantum solutions we use a unitary transformation and the Lewis and Riesenfeld invariant method. The wave functions obtained are written in terms of a c-number quantity () which is solution of the Milne-Pinney equation. For each system we solve the respective Milne-Pinney equation and discuss how the quantum fluctuations and the uncertainty product evolve with time.
We investigate the quantum dynamics of a particle subjected to a linear potential using the Lewis--Riesenfeld invariant operator method. Starting from the time-dependent Schrödinger equation associated with a constant external force, we construct the most general Hermitian quadratic invariant and derive the corresponding coupled differential equations for its time-dependent coefficients. By means of an appropriate sequence of unitary transformations, the invariant operator is reduced to the form of a harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian. This reduction enables a clear classification of the system according to the sign of the conserved quantity ω2. Particular attention is devoted to the physically relevant case ω2 >0, which yields a discrete eigenspectrum. Explicit analytical expressions for the invariant coefficients, the displacement parameters, and the transformed wave functions are obtained. The resulting formalism provides an exact quantum description of a particle under a constant force and establishes a direct connection between invariant theory and harmonic oscillator quantization.
We show that the nonlinear auxiliary equation for the invariant introduced by Lewis and Riesenfeld for a time-dependent harmonic oscillator is satisfied by the amplitude of a complex soltuion to the classical equation of motion. One-parameter squeezed Gaussian states are found whose parameter denotes the mixing of positive and negative frequency solutions. The minimization of the energy expectation value is shown to provide a criterion to select the vacuum state. PACS number(s): 42.50.D; 03.65.G; 03.65.-w Typeset using REVTEX 1 Harmonic oscillators have played many important roles in quantum physics, partly because they are exactly solvable quantum mechanically and partly because any system around an equilibrium can be approximated as a harmonic oscillator system. As a non-stationary system, a time-dependent quantum harmonic oscillator can also be exactly solved. One can find typical time-dependent harmonic oscillators in a system of harmonic oscillators interacting
By using the Lewis–Riesenfeld invariants theory, we investigate the quantum dynamics of a two-dimensional (2D) time-dependent coupled oscillator. We introduce a unitary transformation and show the conditions under which the invariant operator is uncoupled to describe two simple harmonic oscillators with time-independent frequencies and unit masses. The decouplement allows us to easily obtain the corresponding eigenstates. The generalization to three-dimensional (3D) time-dependent coupled oscillator is briefly discussed where a diagonalized invariant, which is exactly the sum of three simple harmonic oscillators, is obtained under specific conditions on the parameters.