The Hamiltonian of a two-dimensional isotropic harmonic oscillator is given by
H=2mpx2+py2+2mω2(x2+y2)
where x and y denote position operators and px and py the corresponding momentum operators.
State without proof the commutation relations between the operators x,y,px,py. From these commutation relations, write [x2,px] and [x,px2] in terms of a single operator. Now consider the observable
L=xpy−ypx
Ehrenfest's theorem states that, for some observable Q with expectation value ⟨Q⟩,
dtd⟨Q⟩=iℏ1⟨[Q,H]⟩+⟨∂t∂Q⟩
Use it to show that the expectation value of L is constant with time.
Given two states
ψ1=αxexp(−β(x2+y2)) and ψ2=αyexp(−β(x2+y2))
where α and β are constants, find a normalised linear combination of ψ1 and ψ2 that is an eigenstate of L, and the corresponding L eigenvalue. [You may assume that α correctly normalises both ψ1 and ψ2.] If a quantum state is prepared in the linear combination you have found at time t=0, what is the expectation value of L at a later time t?