For a state ∣ψ⟩, define the position-space and momentum-space wavefunctions ψ(x) and ψ~(p) and show how each of these can be expressed in terms of the other.
Write down the translation operator U(α) and check that your expression is consistent with the property U(α)∣x⟩=∣x+α⟩. For a state ∣ψ⟩, relate the position-space and momentum-space wavefunctions for U(α)∣ψ⟩ to ψ(x) and ψ~(p) respectively.
Now consider a harmonic oscillator with mass m, frequency ω, and annihilation and creation operators
Let ψn(x) and ψ~n(p) be the wavefunctions corresponding to the normalised energy eigenstates ∣n⟩, where n=0,1,2,….
(i) Express ψ0(x−α) explicitly in terms of the wavefunctions ψn(x).
(ii) Given that ψ~n(p)=fn(u)ψ~0(p), where the fn are polynomials and u=(2/ℏmω)1/2p, show that
e−iγu=e−γ2/2n=0∑∞n!γnfn(u) for any real γ
[You may quote standard results for a harmonic oscillator. You may also use, without proof, eA+B=eAeBe−21[A,B] for operators A and B which each commute with [A,B].]