Quantum harmonic-oscillator spectrum
For H=p²/(2m)+mω²x²/2 on the real line, normalizable states have E_n=ħω(n+½), n=0,1,… .
Key knowledge
For H=p²/(2m)+mω²x²/2 on the real line, normalizable states have E_n=ħω(n+½), n=0,1,… . The ground state is Gaussian with width scale √(ħ/(mω)); its nonzero energy is the oscillator zero-point energy.
Values and equations
E_n=ħω(n+½); ψ₀(x)=(mω/(πħ))¹ᐟ⁴ exp[−mωx²/(2ħ)]
- E_n
- Energy J
- ħ
- Reduced Planck constant J s
- ω
- Angular frequency rad s⁻¹
- m
- Mass kg
- x
- Position m
- ψ₀
- Normalized ground wavefunction m⁻¹ᐟ²
- n
- Nonnegative integer
Conditions and scope
- m>0, ω>0; ideal quadratic, time-independent, nonrelativistic potential.
- The zero-point term depends on the Hamiltonian energy-zero convention; this does not determine absolute vacuum energy.
Sources · 1
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Quantum Mechanics (2010): Simple harmonic oscillator: Equations 389–404: Hamiltonian, quantization and normalized ground state.
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