Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-quantum-physics-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2016/10/d/solution

Differentiate and substitute the equation for . The result is
Putting removes the first derivative and gives , where . For the general solution is
The initial spinor fixes , and the first-order coupled equation fixes the second initial datum . Thus , , and
Their squared magnitudes sum to one. If both and vanish, the initial amplitudes simply remain ; the formulas have that continuous limit.
Source convention correction. For positive , the printed expression for lacks the factor required by the stated basis and initial vector. A concrete test is its derivative at : the printed expression gives , whereas the Schrödinger equation gives . Multiplying only by a phase changes the relative quantum phase. One may change the overall phase of the entire spinor, but must then transform and its initial amplitude as well. The printed modulus nevertheless gives the correct transition probability.

New to topics? Read the docs here!