Chapter 1: Problem 13
Show that neither the probability of obtaining the result \(a_{i}\) nor the expectation value \(\langle A\rangle\) is affected by \(|\psi\rangle \rightarrow e^{i \delta}|\psi\rangle\), that is, by an overall phase change for the state \(|\psi\rangle\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
Neither probability nor expectation value changes under global phase change.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Phase Change
A phase change of the form \(|\psi\rangle \rightarrow e^{i\delta}|\psi\rangle\) is a change where the state vector \(|\psi\rangle\) is multiplied by a complex number on the unit circle, \(e^{i\delta}\), which only changes the phase but not the magnitude of the state vector.
02
Probability Calculation
The probability of obtaining the result \(a_i\) is given by \(P(a_i) = |\langle a_i|\psi\rangle|^2\). After a phase change \(|\psi\rangle \rightarrow e^{i\delta}|\psi\rangle\), this becomes \(P'(a_i) = |\langle a_i|e^{i\delta}|\psi\rangle|^2 = |e^{i\delta}\langle a_i|\psi\rangle|^2 = |\langle a_i|\psi\rangle|^2\), since \(|e^{i\delta}|=1\). Thus, \(P'(a_i) = P(a_i)\).
03
Expectation Value Calculation
The expectation value of operator \(A\), when the state is \(|\psi\rangle\), is given by \(\langle A\rangle = \langle \psi|A|\psi\rangle\). After the phase change \(|\psi\rangle \rightarrow e^{i\delta}|\psi\rangle\), it becomes \(\langle A'\rangle = \langle e^{i\delta}\psi|A|e^{i\delta}\psi\rangle = e^{-i\delta}\langle \psi|A|\psi\rangle e^{i\delta}\), which simplifies to \(\langle \psi|A|\psi\rangle\) because \(e^{-i\delta}e^{i\delta} = 1\). Hence, \(\langle A'\rangle = \langle A\rangle\).
04
Conclusion
Both the probability \(P(a_i)\) and the expectation value \(\langle A\rangle\) remain unchanged under a global phase change \(|\psi\rangle \rightarrow e^{i\delta}|\psi\rangle\). This invariance is due to the nature of quantum mechanics, where only relative phases affect probabilities and expectation values, but not global phases.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Phase Invariance
In the fascinating world of quantum mechanics, phase invariance is a fundamental concept. It means that a shift in the phase of a quantum state does not affect observable quantities.
Imagine you have a quantum state \(|\psi\rangle\) and you multiply it by \(e^{i\delta}\), a complex number with magnitude 1. This multiplication changes the phase but not the actual state.
The important takeaway is:
Imagine you have a quantum state \(|\psi\rangle\) and you multiply it by \(e^{i\delta}\), a complex number with magnitude 1. This multiplication changes the phase but not the actual state.
The important takeaway is:
- Phase changes like this do not alter physical measurements.
- They preserve quantities like probabilities and expectation values.
Probability Amplitude
The probability amplitude is key to determining the likelihood of various outcomes in quantum systems. For any state \(|\psi\rangle\), the probability that a certain result \(a_i\) is observed is given by \(|\langle a_i|\psi\rangle|^2\).
This notation means you take the amplitude, \(\langle a_i|\psi\rangle\), and square its magnitude.
With a phase change \(|\psi\rangle \rightarrow e^{i\delta}|\psi\rangle\), the probability remains the same because:
This notation means you take the amplitude, \(\langle a_i|\psi\rangle\), and square its magnitude.
With a phase change \(|\psi\rangle \rightarrow e^{i\delta}|\psi\rangle\), the probability remains the same because:
- The absolute value of a complex number on the unit circle, like \(e^{i\delta}\), is 1.
- Thus, \(|\langle a_i|e^{i\delta}|\psi\rangle|^2 = |\langle a_i|\psi\rangle|^2\).
Expectation Value
The expectation value is a measure of the average outcome of a quantum observable repeated many times. It is calculated by \(\langle A\rangle = \langle \psi|A|\psi\rangle\).
When you introduce a phase change, it transforms as \(|\psi\rangle \rightarrow e^{i\delta}|\psi\rangle\).
Despite this change, the expectation value remains invariant:
When you introduce a phase change, it transforms as \(|\psi\rangle \rightarrow e^{i\delta}|\psi\rangle\).
Despite this change, the expectation value remains invariant:
- It becomes \(\langle e^{i\delta}\psi|A|e^{i\delta}\psi\rangle = e^{-i\delta}\langle \psi|A|\psi\rangle e^{i\delta}\).
- This simplifies back to \(\langle \psi|A|\psi\rangle\) because \(e^{-i\delta}e^{i\delta} = 1\).
Quantum States
Quantum states, represented by vectors like \(|\psi\rangle\), are at the heart of quantum mechanics. These states describe all the information about a quantum system.
Each state can undergo transformations, such as phase shifts, while preserving certain physical properties.
Key characteristics include:
Each state can undergo transformations, such as phase shifts, while preserving certain physical properties.
Key characteristics include:
- States can be superpositions, combining multiple possibilities.
- Observables derived from these states include probabilities and expectation values.
- Changes in the state don't influence measurements due to phase invariance.