Symmetry in

Quantum
Mechanics
Arkayan Laha
15PH05001
Advisor : Dr.M.K Bandyopadhyay

Table of Contents
Introduction
1.Definition of symmetry
2.Classification of symmetry
3.Continuous symmetry in Quantum Mechanics
a)Spatial translation symmetry
b)Time translation symmetry
4.Discrete symmetry in Quantum Mechanics
a)Parity operation
b)Time reversal operation
Results
Bibliography

Introduction
What is Symmetry?
Symmetry is a kind of operation on the system ,
which makes the system invariant from the
original one.
Examples : Translation of space and time
operations , Rotational operation.

 Symmetry can be classified as continuous and

discrete symmetries.

Continuous Symmetry :

Symmetry
operations , which are obtained by performing
successively infinitesimal symmetry operations.

Examples:

Space translation and time

translation .

Discrete Symmetry :

Symmetry
operations , opposite to continuous symmetry
operation .

Examples:
operation.

Parity operation and time reversal

Continuous Symmetry operation in

quantum mechanics:
In quantum mechanics symmetry operation
is described in terms of a unitary operator(O).
Mathematically the symmetry operator is
defined as

Where G is the Hermitian generator of the

symmetry operator in question , I is identity
operator and is the corresponding
infinitesimal change.

If the system is invariant under the operation O

,then the system Hamiltonian(H) must commute with
the Hermitian generator G . Mathematically
[G,H]=0
If the system is invariant under the operation O ,
then the corresponding generator must be conserved
, provided the generator G has no explicit time
dependence. This can be showed by using
Ehrenfests theorem . So

Spatial Translations:
In Quantum Mechanics spatial translation is
described by infinitesimal translation operation
T(a),where a is infinitesimally small.
The operation of T(a) on a state that is well
localized around x , changes the state into a well
localized state around x+a ,with everything else
(for example ,the spin direction) unchanged . So
T(a)|x>=|x+a>
Since right hand side of the above equation is a
position eigenket with eigenvalue x+a , therefore |
x> is not an eigenket of the infinitesimal
translation operator T(a) .

Spatial translational operator acting on wave function:

The position spaced wave function for the state |> is

We can examine the effect of translation operator on |>:

In words ,

is simply transformed to
by the translation operator T(a)

Properties of the Translation operator:

The spatial translational operator must be a unitary operator
because of probability conservation.
If a and b are two successive infinitesimal translations-first by
a and subsequently by b , the net result to be just a single
translation operation by the vector sum a+b ,so we demand
that
T(a)T(b)=T(a+b)
We expect the opposite-direction translation to be the same
as the inverse of the original translation:
We demand that as a tends to zero ,the translation operation
reduce to the identity operation:
The infinitesimal translation operator is defined as

The generator of translation:

We know
Expand both sides to the first power in a:

This gives

This implies that G=p ,the linear momentum operator.

So the linear momentum is the generator of spatial
translation.

Translation invariance of a physical system:

If we assume that space is homogeneous , then if we translate
the physical system to some location in space , any
experimental results we obtain at the new location should be
identical in all respect to those at the original location . This is
known as translational invariance or translational symmetry.
If > satisfies the Schrdinger equation then T(a)|> also
satisfy the Schrdinger equation . So

This gives [T(a), H]=0.This is condition required for a system to

be translationally symmetric.

Conservation law associated with translation

symmetry:
Translation invariance in quantum mechanics means

This gives [P,H]=0

So the Hamiltonian of a translational invariant system must
commute with the generator of the spatial translation ,i.e., linear
momentum of the system.
The Ehrenfests theorem describing the time evolution of
expectation values:

This gives
So due to translation symmetry of the system ,the expectation
value of momentum doesnt change in time . This is the
quantum-mechanical law of energy conservation.

Finite Spatial Translation:

The time translation Operator:

The infinitesimal time translation operator U(T) is
defined as
U(dt)|(t)>=|(t+dt)>
The time translation operator U(T) should be unitary
to satisfy the probability conservation.
It is defined as

Where G is the generator of the infinitesimal time

translation operator.
A finite time translation from a series of infinitesimal
time translations is

The generator of time translation:

A conservation law associated with timetranslation invariance:

If a physical system has time translation symmetry ,
then the Ehrenfests theorem gives

Parity:

Eigenvalues of the parity operator:

Parity acting on linear momentum:

Parity acting on angular momentum operator:

Wave function under parity:

Parity acting on spherical harmonics:

Parity selection rule:

Parity non-conservation:

Time reversal symmetry:

In simple terms, time reversal corresponds to inverting the
time axis ,or the direction of the flow of time.

Results:
1.Symmetry operator should be unitary in nature.
2.If the system Hamiltonian is invariant under any symmetry
operation , then the system Hamiltonian will commute with the
generator of the symmetry operation.
3.By applying successive infinitesimal symmetry operations , a
finite symmetry operation can be achieved.
4.If the system remains invariant under symmetry operation ,
then there will be corresponding conserved quantity associated
with that symmetry operation.
5.For weak interaction parity does not remain conserved.
6.The time reversal symmetry operator is not linear in nature.

Bibliography
1. J.J Sakurai .,Modern Quantum Mechanics ,
Second Edition-Chapter 4.
2. Steven Weinberg ., Lectures on Quantum
Mechanics , Section 3.4.
3. Feynman ,R.P Leighton ,R.B and Sands ,M .,The
Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol. 3, Chapter-17

Thank you