The quantum-mechanical observable Q has just two orthonormal eigenstates ∣1⟩ and ∣2⟩ with eigenvalues −1 and 1 , respectively. The operator Q′ is defined by Q′=Q+ϵT, where
T=(0−ii0)
Defining orthonormal eigenstates of Q′ to be ∣1′⟩ and ∣2′⟩ with eigenvalues q1′, q2′, respectively, consider a perturbation to first order in ϵ∈R for the states
∣1′⟩=a1∣1⟩+a2ϵ∣2⟩,∣2′⟩=b1∣2⟩+b2ϵ∣1⟩,
where a1,a2,b1,b2 are complex coefficients. The real eigenvalues are also expanded to first order in ϵ :
q1′=−1+c1ϵ,q2′=1+c2ϵ
From first principles, find a1,a2,b1,b2,c1,c2.
Working exactly to all orders, find the real eigenvalues q1′,q2′ directly. Show that the exact eigenvectors of Q′ may be taken to be of the form
Aj(ϵ)(1−i(1+Bqj′)/ϵ)
finding Aj(ϵ) and the real numerical coefficient B in the process.
By expanding the exact expressions, again find a1,a2,b1,b2,c1,c2, verifying the perturbation theory results above.