A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics · Problem 5.29

Wave Mechanics in One Dimension — John S. Townsend

Physics — Quantum Mechanics · density-operator-time-evolution-unitary

Problem

(a) Show that the time evolution of the density operator is given by ρ^(t)=U^(t)ρ^(0)U^†(t)\hat{\rho}(t) = \hat{U}(t)\hat{\rho}(0)\hat{U}^\dagger(t) where U^(t)\hat{U}(t) is the time-evolution operator, namely U^(t)∣ψ(0)⟩=∣ψ(t)⟩\hat{U}(t)|\psi(0)\rangle = |\psi(t)\rangle (b) Suppose that an ensemble of particles is in a pure state at t=0t = 0. Show the ensemble cannot evolve into a mixed state as long as time evolution is governed by the Schr\"odinger equation.

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