Past exam of the theoretical physics I course of the University of Cambridge / 2013 / Paper 1 / 1 / d / Solution

Write $u=t-t^{\prime }$ and $\Omega =\sqrt{{\omega }_0^2-{\gamma }^2/4}$. With the printed Fourier transform convention, a time derivative transforms to $i\omega$. The retarded Green function isIts poles are $\omega =\pm \Omega +i\gamma /2$, both in the upper half-plane. For $u>0$ close the contour above; for $u<0$ close below, where there are no poles. Residues giveIt is continuous at $u=0$ and has derivative jump $G^{\prime }(0^{+})-G^{\prime }(0^{-})=1$, reproducing the Dirac delta function source. Thus the solution initially at rest isand vanishes for $t<0$. Set $D={\alpha }^2-\gamma \alpha +{\omega }_0^2=(\alpha -\gamma /2{)}^2+{\Omega }^2>0$. Evaluating the integral givesThe homogeneous solution constants are $C_1=-A/D$ and $C_2=A(\alpha -\gamma /2)/(D\Omega )$. Substitution at zero gives $\eta (0)=\dot{\eta }(0)=0$. Causality selects this response; an arbitrarily excited prehistory would add a homogeneous solution.