In this paper we show that the point-group (geometrical) symmetry is insufficient to account for the degeneracy of the energy levels of the particle in a cubic box. The discrepancy is due to hidden (dynamical symmetry). We obtain the operators that commute with the Hamiltonian one and connect eigenfunctions of different symmetries. We also show that the addition of a suitable potential inside the box breaks the dynamical symmetry but preserves the geometrical one.The resulting degeneracy is that predicted by point-group symmetry.In this paper we show that the point-group (geometrical) symmetry is insufficient to account for the degeneracy of the energy levels of the particle in a cubic box. The discrepancy is due to hidden (dynamical symmetry). We obtain the operators that commute with the Hamiltonian one and connect eigenfunctions of different symmetries. We also show that the addition of a suitable potential inside the box breaks the dynamical symmetry but preserves the geometrical one.The resulting degeneracy is that predicted by point-group symmetry.

arXiv:1310.5136Oct 18, 20139 citations

The Quantum Particle in a Box

Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny, William Moebs

Jan 1, 20161 citation

Sum of Three Squares and Particle in a Cubic Box - Degeneracies

S. Pratik Khastgir

We address the problem of determining the degeneracy of a particular energy eigenvalue corresponding to a quantum particle trapped in a cubic box. In other words, we aim to find the number of ways a specific positive integer can be written as the sum of three natural number squares. This is a classic problem in number theory. We provide a closed-form, exact solution to the problem. We do not claim to provide proofs, as we have none; instead, we build up the formulae starting from simple cases where the answer could be deduced by studying the list of degeneracies. We present ample examples that could be verified against the degeneracy calculated numerically via the brute-force method. We arrived at the solution by meticulously studying the list of degeneracies for the first five million numbers, generated by Mathematica $^{\circledR}$ .We address the problem of determining the degeneracy of a particular energy eigenvalue corresponding to a quantum particle trapped in a cubic box. In other words, we aim to find the number of ways a specific positive integer can be written as the sum of three natural number squares. This is a classic problem in number theory. We provide a closed-form, exact solution to the problem. We do not claim to provide proofs, as we have none; instead, we build up the formulae starting from simple cases where the answer could be deduced by studying the list of degeneracies. We present ample examples that could be verified against the degeneracy calculated numerically via the brute-force method. We arrived at the solution by meticulously studying the list of degeneracies for the first five million numbers, generated by Mathematica$^{\circledR}$.

math-phCross-listedarXiv:2609.23794Sep 22, 2026

A quantum particle in a high-symmetry two-dimensional box

Maximilliaan Koopman, A.C. Davis, Qing Wang +4 more

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMar 16, 20170 citations

Quantum Particle in Three Dimensions

Gianluca Stefanucci

Springer eBooksJan 1, 20240 citations

Star Hilb Beyond

Stefano Gogioso, Fabrizio Genovese

In this work, we use tools from non-standard analysis to introduce infinite-dimensional quantum systems and quantum fields within the framework of Categorical Quantum Mechanics. We define a dagger compact category *Hilb suitable for the algebraic manipulation of unbounded operators, Dirac deltas and plane-waves. We cover in detail the construction of quantum systems for particles in boxes with periodic boundary conditions, particles on cubic lattices, and particles in real space. Not quite satisfied with this, we show how certain non-separable Hilbert spaces can also be modelled in our non-standard framework, and we explicitly treat the cases of quantum fields on cubic lattices and quantum fields in real space.In this work, we use tools from non-standard analysis to introduce infinite-dimensional quantum systems and quantum fields within the framework of Categorical Quantum Mechanics. We define a dagger compact category *Hilb suitable for the algebraic manipulation of unbounded operators, Dirac deltas and plane-waves. We cover in detail the construction of quantum systems for particles in boxes with periodic boundary conditions, particles on cubic lattices, and particles in real space. Not quite satisfied with this, we show how certain non-separable Hilbert spaces can also be modelled in our non-standard framework, and we explicitly treat the cases of quantum fields on cubic lattices and quantum fields in real space.

Mar 28, 20170 citations

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