Perturbation Theory

Alto Osada, Rekishu Yamazaki, Atsushi Noguchi

Gilbert A. Ibitola, Olanrewaju Ajanaku, Abiola Olawale Ilori

There exist several forms of perturbation theory in Quantum Mechanics, namely: non-degenerate perturbation theory, degenerate perturbation theory, time-dependent perturbation theory, time-constant perturbation theory and time-harmonic perturbation theory. This paper presents an extension of the perturbation theory for non-degenerate states. It has been observed that most texts and journal papers treat only the first –order and second-order non-degenerate perturbation theory. Therefore, this paper attempts to treat and present the third order and fourth order non-degenerate perturbation theory in quantum mechanics. It can thus be asserted that the higher the order of perturbations of quantum systems that we know, the more successful will be our efforts in suppressing or eliminating them.

GY Ndefru, Salihu S Duwa

The time independent, non-degenerate standard perturbation theory is compared the alternate treatment of perturbation theory called logarithmic perturbation theory (LPT). For determining the non-degenerate ground state the LPT is, in principle, easier to apply than standard perturbation theory. This is because, as opposed to the standard perturbation method which requires the knowledge of the complete set of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the unperturbed system, for the LPT one only needs to know the ground state wave function of the unperturbed system, the energy correction to the next lower order and some easily computable coupling constants. However, in reality, the LPT is a simpler method to apply when the ground state wavefunction is exponential in nature. But as shown here for trigonometric unperturbed wave function the LPT leads to integrals which have no analytical solutions thereby making LPT more difficult and less accurate method than the standard perturbation approach. Journal of the Nigerian Association of Mathematical Physics Vol. 10 2006: pp. 595-600

Jochen Pade

S. C. Mehrotra, James E. Boggs

A time-dependent perturbation theory for the solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation is developed and is applied to systems having two states with pulse and Lorentzian types of perturbations. It is shown in the case of the pulse perturbation that the expression corresponding to the Nth order of the perturbation theory converges to the exact solution when N tends to infinity. The results obtained from this perturbation theory, the Magnus approximation, and the time-dependent perturbation theory developed by Dirac are compared with the exact results. This theory is found to be good for larger values of the perturbations and for larger intervals of time.

Michele Cini