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

Harmonic Oscillators: Types, Functions and Applications

Yilun Shang

Published Aug 1, 2019• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

This book gathers state-of-the-art advances on harmonic oscillators including their types, functions, and applications. In Chapter 1, Neetik and Amlan have discussed the recent progresses of information theoretic tools in the context of free and confined harmonic oscillator. Confined quantum systems have provided appreciable interest in areas of physics, chemistry, biology, etc., since its inception. A particle under extreme pressure environment unfolds many fascinating, notable physical and chemical changes. \n \nThe desired effect is achieved by reducing the spatial boundary from infinity to a finite region. Similarly, in the last decade, information measures were investigated extensively in diverse quantum problems, in both free and constrained situations. The most prominent amongst these are: Fisher information, Shannon entropy, Renyi entropy, Tsallis entropy, Onicescu energy and several complexities. Arguably, these are the most effective measures of uncertainty, as they do not make any reference to some specific points of a respective Hilbert space. These have been invoked to explain several physic-chemical properties of a system under investigation. Kullback Leibler divergence or relative entropy describes how a given probability distribution shifts from a reference distribution function. This characterizes a measure of discrimination between two states. In other words, it extracts the change of information in going from one state to another. \n \nIn Chapter 2, Nabakumar, Subhasree, and Paulami have revisited classical-quantum correspondence in the context of linear Simple Harmonic Oscillator (SHO). According to Bohr’s correspondence principle, quantum mechanically calculated results match with the classically expected results when quantum number is very high. Classical quantum correspondence may also be visualized in the limit when the action integral is much greater than Planck’s constant. When de-Broglie wave length associated with a particle is much larger than system size, then quantum mechanical results also match with the classical results. In the context of dynamics, Ehrenfest equation of motion is used in quantum domain, which is analogous to classical Newton’s equation of motion. SHO is one of the most important systems for several reasons. It is one of the few exactly solvable problems. Any stable molecular potential can be approximated by SHO near the equilibrium point. This builds the foundation for the understanding of complex modes of vibration in large molecules, the motion of atoms in a solid lattice, the theory of heat capacity, vibration motion of nuclei in molecule etc. The authors have revisited the common solution techniques and important properties of both classical and quantum linear SHO. Then they focused on probability distribution, quantum mechanical tunneling, classical and quantum dynamics of position, momentum and their actuations, viral theorems, etc. and also analyzed how quantum mechanical results finally tend to classical results in the high quantum number limit. \n \nIn Chapter 3, Neeraj has discussed the nature of atomic motions, sometimes referred to as lattice vibrations. The lattice dynamics deals with the vibrations of the atoms inside the crystals. In order to write the dynamic equations of the motion of crystal atoms, we need to describe an inter-atomic interaction. Therefore, it is natural to start the study of the lattice dynamics with the case of small harmonic vibrations. The dynamics of one-dimensional and two-dimensional vibrations of monatomic and diatomic crystals can be understood by using the simple model forces based on harmonic approximation. This harmonic approximation is related to a simple ball-spring model. According to this model, each atom is coupled with the neighboring atoms by spring constants. The collective motion of atoms leads to a distinct traveling wave over the whole crystal, leading to the collective motion, so-called phonon. The simple ball-spring model enlightens us some of the significant common features of lattice dynamics that have been discussed throughout this chapter. Further, this chapter helps in understanding the quantization energy of a harmonic oscillation and the concept of phonon.

Related papers

Information analysis in free and confined harmonic oscillator

Neetik Mukherjee, Amlan K. Roy

In this chapter we shall discuss the recent progresses of information theoretic tools in the context of free and confined harmonic oscillator. Confined quantum systems have provided appreciable interest in areas of physics, chemistry, biology,etc., since its inception. A particle under extreme pressure environment unfolds many fascinating, notable physical and chemical changes. The desired effect is achieved by reducing the spatial boundary from infinity to a finite region. Similarly, in the last decade, information measures were investigated extensively in diverse quantum problems, in both free and constrained situations. The most prominent amongst these are: Fisher information, Shannon entropy, Renyi entropy , Tsallis entropy, Onicescu energy and several complexities. Arguably, these are the most effective measures of uncertainty, as they do not make any reference to some specific points of a respective Hilbert space. These have been invoked to explain several physico-chemical properties of a system under investigation. Kullback-Leibler divergence or relative entropy describes how a given probability distribution shifts from a reference distribution function. This characterizes a measure of discrimination between two states. In other words, it extracts the change of information in going from one state to another.

arXiv:2105.01470•May 4, 2021•0 citations

Chapter 10. The Simple Harmonic Oscillator

The goal of Quantum Mechanics I, A Problem Text, is to enable students to solve problems appropriate to their first course in quantum mechanics. Significantly detailed solutions to traditionally posed problems dominate. Theory and rationale are addressed in prescript and postscript narratives and/or within the solved problems to guide students; and clarify vocabulary, symbology, and terminology. Applications of the postulates are presented initially using arguments from linear algebra appropriate to discrete systems with low-dimensional vectors and matrix operators, introducing orthogonality, orthonormality, Hermiticity, eigenvectors, eigenvalues, probability, expectation value, and degeneracy. These arguments blend into infinite-dimensional vectors and operators, and calculus-based arguments for continuous systems where delta functions, theta functions, and Fourier transforms are initially discussed. Dirac notation is fully developed within these first five chapters. Chapter six discusses Ehrenfest’s theorem, the Heisenberg uncertainty relations, and Gaussian wave functions and wave packets. Increasingly sophisticated potential energy functions are then treated to include the free particle, the infinite square well, the one-dimensional scattering state, the simple harmonic oscillator, the finite square well, orbital angular momentum, and the hydrogen atom. Ladder operators are featured in the developments of the simple harmonic oscillator and orbital angular momentum. The diversity of narratives and detailed solutions intend

Sciendo eBooks•Sep 1, 2018•0 citations

Operators and Bases

David K. Ferry

In the past few chapters, the Schrödinger equation has been developed and applied to the solution of a number of quantum mechanical problems, mainly to develop experience with the results of simple and common systems. The results from these examples can be summarized relatively simply. In general, quantization enters the problem through the non-commuting nature of conjugate operators such as position and momentum as well as from classical boundary quantization. This has led to the Schrödinger equation itself being the primary equation of motion for the wave function solution to the problem. In essence, duality is incredibly important and is the basic method by which the electron is treated as a wave, rather than as a particle, and the wave equation of interest is the Schrödinger equation. When boundary conditions are applied, either through potential barriers or through the form of the potential (as in the harmonic oscillator), the time-independent Schrödinger equation yields solutions that are often special functions. Examples of this are the sines and cosines in the rectangular-barrier case, the Airy functions in the triangular-well case, and the Hermite polynomials in the harmonic oscillator case.

CRC Press eBooks•Nov 6, 2020•0 citations

Quantum Mechanics

Guoping Zhang, Mingsu Si, Thomas F. George

This textbook provides ample opportunities for practice and real experimental demonstrations. Conceptual understanding and mastering key techniques are enhanced by rigorous derivations, numerous worked examples, more than 300 exercises, about 150 problems and 16 computer codes. The preface summarizes all of the key concepts and formulas, along with a detailed schedule for teaching. The first three chapters introduce the quantum idea, wave-particle duality, operators and measurement. The Noether theorem is invoked to introduce the Schrödinger equation, followed by applications to infinite and finite quantum wells, quantum tunneling, harmonic oscillators, Heisenberg equation of motion, uncertainty principle, blackbody radiation and photoelectric effect. Chapters 4 and 5 are on angular momentum, the hydrogen atom and time-independent approximate methods. Chapters 6 and 7 are on spin and time-dependent perturbation theory. Chapters 8, 9 and 10 are on molecular orbitals, energy bands, quantum transport, scanning tunneling microscopy, lattice vibrations, Berry phase and quantum computing. The book is intended for a one-semester or one-year course and is also appropriate for researchers in related fields.

De Gruyter eBooks•Mar 13, 2024•0 citations

The Spin–Boson Model

Abraham Nitzan

In a generic quantum mechanical description of a molecule interacting with its thermal environment, the molecule is represented as a few level system (in the simplest description just two, for example, ground and excited states) and the environment is often modeled as a bath of harmonic oscillators. The resulting theoretical framework is known as the spin–boson model, a term that seems to have emerged in the Kondo problem literature (which deals with the behavior of magnetic impurities in metals) during the 1960s, but is now used in a much broader context. Indeed, it has become one of the central models of theoretical physics, with applications in physics, chemistry, and biology that range far beyond the subject of this book. Transitions between molecular electronic states coupled to nuclear vibrations, environmental phonons, and photon modes of the radiation field fall within this class of problems. The present chapter discusses this model and some of its mathematical implications. The reader may note that some of the subjects discussed in Chapter 9 are reiterated here in this more general framework. In Sections 2.2 and 2.9 we have discussed the dynamics of the two-level system and of the harmonic oscillator, respectively. These exactly soluble models are often used as prototypes of important classes of physical system. The harmonic oscillator is an exact model for a mode of the radiation field and provides good starting points for describing nuclear motions in molecules and in solid environments. It can also describe the short-time dynamics of liquid environments via the instantaneous normal mode approach. In fact, many linear response treatments in both classical and quantum dynamics lead to harmonic oscillator models: Linear response implies that forces responsible for the return of a system to equilibrium depend linearly on the deviation from equilibrium—a harmonic oscillator property! We will see a specific example of this phenomenology in our discussion of dielectric response in Section 16.9.

Oxford University Press eBooks•Apr 6, 2006•0 citations

The Harmonic Oscillator

Steven A. Adelman

In Chapters 2 and 4 – 6 , we developed the mathematical and physical foundations of quantum mechanics. In this and the remaining chapters, we describe successively advanced applications of these foundations.

CRC Press eBooks•May 31, 2021•0 citations
This book gathers state-of-the-art advances on harmonic oscillators including their types, functions, and applications. In Chapter 1, Neetik and Amlan have discussed the recent progresses of information theoretic tools in the context of free and confined harmonic oscillator. Confined quantum systems have provided appreciable interest in areas of physics, chemistry, biology, etc., since its inception. A particle under extreme pressure environment unfolds many fascinating, notable physical and chemical changes. \n \nThe desired effect is achieved by reducing the spatial boundary from infinity to a finite region. Similarly, in the last decade, information measures were investigated extensively in diverse quantum problems, in both free and constrained situations. The most prominent amongst these are: Fisher information, Shannon entropy, Renyi entropy, Tsallis entropy, Onicescu energy and several complexities. Arguably, these are the most effective measures of uncertainty, as they do not make any reference to some specific points of a respective Hilbert space. These have been invoked to explain several physic-chemical properties of a system under investigation. Kullback Leibler divergence or relative entropy describes how a given probability distribution shifts from a reference distribution function. This characterizes a measure of discrimination between two states. In other words, it extracts the change of information in going from one state to another. \n \nIn Chapter 2, Nabakumar, Subhasree, and Paulami have revisited classical-quantum correspondence in the context of linear Simple Harmonic Oscillator (SHO). According to Bohr’s correspondence principle, quantum mechanically calculated results match with the classically expected results when quantum number is very high. Classical quantum correspondence may also be visualized in the limit when the action integral is much greater than Planck’s constant. When de-Broglie wave length associated with a particle is much larger than system size, then quantum mechanical results also match with the classical results. In the context of dynamics, Ehrenfest equation of motion is used in quantum domain, which is analogous to classical Newton’s equation of motion. SHO is one of the most important systems for several reasons. It is one of the few exactly solvable problems. Any stable molecular potential can be approximated by SHO near the equilibrium point. This builds the foundation for the understanding of complex modes of vibration in large molecules, the motion of atoms in a solid lattice, the theory of heat capacity, vibration motion of nuclei in molecule etc. The authors have revisited the common solution techniques and important properties of both classical and quantum linear SHO. Then they focused on probability distribution, quantum mechanical tunneling, classical and quantum dynamics of position, momentum and their actuations, viral theorems, etc. and also analyzed how quantum mechanical results finally tend to classical results in the high quantum number limit. \n \nIn Chapter 3, Neeraj has discussed the nature of atomic motions, sometimes referred to as lattice vibrations. The lattice dynamics deals with the vibrations of the atoms inside the crystals. In order to write the dynamic equations of the motion of crystal atoms, we need to describe an inter-atomic interaction. Therefore, it is natural to start the study of the lattice dynamics with the case of small harmonic vibrations. The dynamics of one-dimensional and two-dimensional vibrations of monatomic and diatomic crystals can be understood by using the simple model forces based on harmonic approximation. This harmonic approximation is related to a simple ball-spring model. According to this model, each atom is coupled with the neighboring atoms by spring constants. The collective motion of atoms leads to a distinct traveling wave over the whole crystal, leading to the collective motion, so-called phonon. The simple ball-spring model enlightens us some of the significant common features of lattice dynamics that have been discussed throughout this chapter. Further, this chapter helps in understanding the quantization energy of a harmonic oscillation and the concept of phonon.
In this chapter we shall discuss the recent progresses of information theoretic tools in the context of free and confined harmonic oscillator. Confined quantum systems have provided appreciable interest in areas of physics, chemistry, biology,etc., since its inception. A particle under extreme pressure environment unfolds many fascinating, notable physical and chemical changes. The desired effect is achieved by reducing the spatial boundary from infinity to a finite region. Similarly, in the last decade, information measures were investigated extensively in diverse quantum problems, in both free and constrained situations. The most prominent amongst these are: Fisher information, Shannon entropy, Renyi entropy , Tsallis entropy, Onicescu energy and several complexities. Arguably, these are the most effective measures of uncertainty, as they do not make any reference to some specific points of a respective Hilbert space. These have been invoked to explain several physico-chemical properties of a system under investigation. Kullback-Leibler divergence or relative entropy describes how a given probability distribution shifts from a reference distribution function. This characterizes a measure of discrimination between two states. In other words, it extracts the change of information in going from one state to another.
The goal of Quantum Mechanics I, A Problem Text, is to enable students to solve problems appropriate to their first course in quantum mechanics. Significantly detailed solutions to traditionally posed problems dominate. Theory and rationale are addressed in prescript and postscript narratives and/or within the solved problems to guide students; and clarify vocabulary, symbology, and terminology. Applications of the postulates are presented initially using arguments from linear algebra appropriate to discrete systems with low-dimensional vectors and matrix operators, introducing orthogonality, orthonormality, Hermiticity, eigenvectors, eigenvalues, probability, expectation value, and degeneracy. These arguments blend into infinite-dimensional vectors and operators, and calculus-based arguments for continuous systems where delta functions, theta functions, and Fourier transforms are initially discussed. Dirac notation is fully developed within these first five chapters. Chapter six discusses Ehrenfest’s theorem, the Heisenberg uncertainty relations, and Gaussian wave functions and wave packets. Increasingly sophisticated potential energy functions are then treated to include the free particle, the infinite square well, the one-dimensional scattering state, the simple harmonic oscillator, the finite square well, orbital angular momentum, and the hydrogen atom. Ladder operators are featured in the developments of the simple harmonic oscillator and orbital angular momentum. The diversity of narratives and detailed solutions intend
In the past few chapters, the Schrödinger equation has been developed and applied to the solution of a number of quantum mechanical problems, mainly to develop experience with the results of simple and common systems. The results from these examples can be summarized relatively simply. In general, quantization enters the problem through the non-commuting nature of conjugate operators such as position and momentum as well as from classical boundary quantization. This has led to the Schrödinger equation itself being the primary equation of motion for the wave function solution to the problem. In essence, duality is incredibly important and is the basic method by which the electron is treated as a wave, rather than as a particle, and the wave equation of interest is the Schrödinger equation. When boundary conditions are applied, either through potential barriers or through the form of the potential (as in the harmonic oscillator), the time-independent Schrödinger equation yields solutions that are often special functions. Examples of this are the sines and cosines in the rectangular-barrier case, the Airy functions in the triangular-well case, and the Hermite polynomials in the harmonic oscillator case.
This textbook provides ample opportunities for practice and real experimental demonstrations. Conceptual understanding and mastering key techniques are enhanced by rigorous derivations, numerous worked examples, more than 300 exercises, about 150 problems and 16 computer codes. The preface summarizes all of the key concepts and formulas, along with a detailed schedule for teaching. The first three chapters introduce the quantum idea, wave-particle duality, operators and measurement. The Noether theorem is invoked to introduce the Schrödinger equation, followed by applications to infinite and finite quantum wells, quantum tunneling, harmonic oscillators, Heisenberg equation of motion, uncertainty principle, blackbody radiation and photoelectric effect. Chapters 4 and 5 are on angular momentum, the hydrogen atom and time-independent approximate methods. Chapters 6 and 7 are on spin and time-dependent perturbation theory. Chapters 8, 9 and 10 are on molecular orbitals, energy bands, quantum transport, scanning tunneling microscopy, lattice vibrations, Berry phase and quantum computing. The book is intended for a one-semester or one-year course and is also appropriate for researchers in related fields.
In a generic quantum mechanical description of a molecule interacting with its thermal environment, the molecule is represented as a few level system (in the simplest description just two, for example, ground and excited states) and the environment is often modeled as a bath of harmonic oscillators. The resulting theoretical framework is known as the spin–boson model, a term that seems to have emerged in the Kondo problem literature (which deals with the behavior of magnetic impurities in metals) during the 1960s, but is now used in a much broader context. Indeed, it has become one of the central models of theoretical physics, with applications in physics, chemistry, and biology that range far beyond the subject of this book. Transitions between molecular electronic states coupled to nuclear vibrations, environmental phonons, and photon modes of the radiation field fall within this class of problems. The present chapter discusses this model and some of its mathematical implications. The reader may note that some of the subjects discussed in Chapter 9 are reiterated here in this more general framework. In Sections 2.2 and 2.9 we have discussed the dynamics of the two-level system and of the harmonic oscillator, respectively. These exactly soluble models are often used as prototypes of important classes of physical system. The harmonic oscillator is an exact model for a mode of the radiation field and provides good starting points for describing nuclear motions in molecules and in solid environments. It can also describe the short-time dynamics of liquid environments via the instantaneous normal mode approach. In fact, many linear response treatments in both classical and quantum dynamics lead to harmonic oscillator models: Linear response implies that forces responsible for the return of a system to equilibrium depend linearly on the deviation from equilibrium—a harmonic oscillator property! We will see a specific example of this phenomenology in our discussion of dielectric response in Section 16.9.