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Time Evolution of Quantum systems : A Summary

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qm-lec-09009

  • Given the state of the system at a time $t_0$, the state vector at any other time is related to it by a unitary transformation $U(t,t_0)$. $$ \ket{\psi t} =U(t,t_0)\,\ket{\psi t_0} $$ 
  • The equation of motion of quantum system is the Schrodinger equation $$ i\hbar {d\over d t}\, \ket{\psi t} = \hat{H} \ket{\psi t} $$ where $\hat{H}$ is the Hamltonian operator of the system. 
  • The time evolution operator satisfies the equation $$ i \hbar {\partial\over \partial t}U(t,t_0) \ket{\psi t_0} = \hat{H}(t)U(t,t_0)\ $$ 
  • If the Hamiltonian does not depend on time, the evolution operator is $$ U(t,t_0) = \exp [ -i\hat{H} (t-t_0) /\hbar ] $$ 
  • The average value of a dynamical variable,$\hat{F}$, satisfies $${d\over dt}\, \langle \hat{F} \rangle = \langle{\partial\hat{F} \over \partial t} \rangle + {1\over i\hbar} \langle\, [\hat{F},\hat{H} ]\, \rangle $$ 
  • A dynamical variable is a constant of motion if it commutes with the Hamiltonian. 
  • The energy eigenstates of a system are staionary; they do not change with time. The state vector of a stationary state at any time is equal to the initial state vector multiplied by a numerical phase factor. 
  • The average value of a {\it constant of motion} $G$ is independent of time in every possible state of the system including  nonstationary states.
  • The avearge value of every dynamical variable is independent of time in stationary states.

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