Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2011 / ii / Paper 4 / 33E (Applications of Quantum Mechanics)

For charge $-e$, the required gauge transformation of the wavefunction isDefine $D_t={\partial }_t-ie\varphi /\hslash$ and $\mathbf{D}=\nabla +ie\mathbf{A}/\hslash$. With the stated transformed potentials, differentiating the phase gives $D_t^{\prime }{\Psi }^{\prime }=e^{-ief/\hslash }{D}_t\Psi$ and ${\mathbf{D}}^{\prime }{\Psi }^{\prime }=e^{-ief/\hslash }\mathbf{D}\Psi$. Applying the spatial identity twice shows that both sides of the Schrödinger equation acquire the same phase, proving invariance. The magnetic field and electric field are unchanged because mixed derivatives commute.

Take $B>0$, as in the stated energy formula. In the specified gauge, the time-independent Hamiltonian isIt commutes with $-i\hslash {\partial }_x$, so choose simultaneous generalized eigenstates ${\psi }_k=e^{ikx}{\chi }_k(y)$ and attach $e^{-iEt/\hslash }$. The remaining equation isIt is a harmonic oscillator of frequency ${\omega }_c=eB/m$, centred at $y_0=\hslash k/(eB)$. Therefore the Landau levels areThey are independent of the continuously variable $k$ on the infinite plane, giving infinite degeneracy. Plane waves may be normalized in a finite box and the infinite-area limit then taken. For signed $B$, replace the oscillator frequency by $e|B|/m$.

With $\varphi =-Ey$, the additional potential energy is $+eEy$. Completing the square preserves the oscillator frequency but shifts its centre toThe constant term after completing the square givesWhen $E\ne 0$, different $k$ at fixed $n$ have different energies: the guiding-centre degeneracy of each Landau level is lifted. Accidental coincidences between different $n,k$ are not excluded; what disappears is the flat $k$-independent level.