We propose an elementary approach for introducing the quasi-classical quantum states of a spinless charged particle in a uniform magnetic field. By exploiting the similarity with the case of the two-dimensional harmonic oscillator as well as a property of the solutions of the pertinent Schro ̈dinger equation, we derive two basic solutions. One of them is a stationary, minimum- uncertainty wavepacket centred at an arbitrary point. This corresponds to a classical particle at rest. The other solution is a minimum-uncertainty wavepacket that rotates at the classical angular speed. The expected value of the energy agrees with the classical prediction within the zero-point energy. These results are obtained without any knowledge of the energy eigenstates. An appendix suggests a brief and self-contained procedure for writing the Hamiltonian of a charged particle under the Lorentz force.

Gori, F., Santarsiero, M., Borghi, R., Guattari, G. (2000). Charge in a magnetic field: quasi-classical states. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICS, 21(1), 27-34.

Charge in a magnetic field: quasi-classical states

SANTARSIERO, Massimo;
2000-01-01

Abstract

We propose an elementary approach for introducing the quasi-classical quantum states of a spinless charged particle in a uniform magnetic field. By exploiting the similarity with the case of the two-dimensional harmonic oscillator as well as a property of the solutions of the pertinent Schro ̈dinger equation, we derive two basic solutions. One of them is a stationary, minimum- uncertainty wavepacket centred at an arbitrary point. This corresponds to a classical particle at rest. The other solution is a minimum-uncertainty wavepacket that rotates at the classical angular speed. The expected value of the energy agrees with the classical prediction within the zero-point energy. These results are obtained without any knowledge of the energy eigenstates. An appendix suggests a brief and self-contained procedure for writing the Hamiltonian of a charged particle under the Lorentz force.
2000
Gori, F., Santarsiero, M., Borghi, R., Guattari, G. (2000). Charge in a magnetic field: quasi-classical states. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICS, 21(1), 27-34.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11590/132179
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