Introduction to Quantum Mechanics · Problem 5.3

Identical Particles — David J. Griffiths

Physics — Quantum Mechanics · vibrational_spectrum_isotopes

Problem

Chlorine has two naturally occurring isotopes, Cl35^{35} and Cl37^{37}. Show that the vibrational spectrum of HCl should consist of closely spaced doublets, with a splitting given by Δν=7.51×10−4ν\Delta\nu = 7.51 \times 10^{-4} \nu, where ν\nu is the frequency of the emitted photon. Hint: Think of it as a harmonic oscillator, with ω=k/μ\omega = \sqrt{k/\mu}, where μ\mu is the reduced mass (Equation 5.15) and kk is presumably the same for both isotopes.

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