Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-quantum-theory-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2021/2/a/i/solution
Past exam of the quantum theory course of the University of Oxford 2021 2 a i Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-25
The position operators and momentum operators are self-adjoint operators. Using conjugate linearity of the adjoint operator, , givesWrite . Bilinearity and antisymmetry of the commutator, together with the canonical commutation relations, give . HenceThe terms involving two position operators or two momentum operators vanish by the canonical commutation relations. Finally, reversing products under the adjoint operator, , gives . ThereforeHere is the identity operator. These are the relations for two independent pairs of creation and annihilation operators. The operator algebra in this question is understood on a common invariant operator domain, such as finite linear combinations of the number states constructed in part (c).
New to topics? Read the docs here!