Quantum Mechanics – Super Extended Mathematical Cheat

Sheet
Core formulas, relations, and short derivations (foundations, spin, hydrogen, scattering, perturbations, statistics,
open systems)

0. Conventions and Constants

• Planck constant: h, reduced: ℏ = h/(2π).
• Speed of light: c.
• Electron charge magnitude: e.
• Wave number: k = 2π/λ.
• De Broglie momentum: p = ℏk = h/λ.
• Photon energy: E = hν = ℏω.

1. Wavefunctions and Probability

1.1 Wavefunction
State of a single particle in 1D:
ψ(x, t) ∈ L2 (R), ψ : R × R → C.

1.2 Normalization and Probability Density

Born rule: Z ∞
2
ρ(x, t) = |ψ(x, t)| , |ψ(x, t)|2 dx = 1.
−∞
Probability in [a, b]:
Z b
P (a ≤ x ≤ b; t) = |ψ(x, t)|2 dx.
a

1.3 Inner Product and Expectation Values

Z ∞
⟨ϕ|ψ⟩ = ϕ∗ (x, t) ψ(x, t) dx.
−∞
Z
⟨A⟩t = ⟨ψ(t)|Â|ψ(t)⟩ = ψ ∗ (x, t)(Âψ)(x, t) dx.

2. Fourier Analysis and Delta Function

2.1 Fourier Transform Pair
Z ∞
1
ψ(x) = √ ψ̃(k) eikx dk,
2π −∞
Z ∞
1
ψ̃(k) = √ ψ(x) e−ikx dx.
2π −∞

Momentum-space wavefunction ϕ(p) via p = ℏk.

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2.2 Dirac Delta
Z ∞ Z ∞
δ(x) dx = 1, δ(x − x0 )f (x) dx = f (x0 ).
−∞ −∞
Fourier representation: Z ∞
1
δ(x) = eikx dk.
2π −∞

3. Schrödinger Equation
3.1 Time-Dependent Schrödinger Equation (TDSE)
1D:
ℏ2 ∂ 2
 
∂ψ(x, t)
iℏ = − + V (x) ψ(x, t).
∂t 2m ∂x2

3.2 Time-Independent Schrödinger Equation (TISE)

Assume ψ(x, t) = ϕ(x)e−iEt/ℏ , then

ℏ2 d2 ϕ
− + V (x)ϕ(x) = Eϕ(x),
2m dx2

with Ĥϕn = En ϕn .

3.3 General Expansion in Eigenbasis

X X
ψ(x, 0) = Cn ϕn (x), ψ(x, t) = Cn ϕn (x)e−iEn t/ℏ ,
n n
Z
Cn = ϕ∗n (x) ψ(x, 0) dx.

4. Infinite Square Well

4.1 Potential
(
0, 0 < x < L,
V (x) =
∞, otherwise.

4.2 Solutions and Energies

r
2  nπx  ℏ2 π 2 n2
ϕn (x) = sin , En = , n = 1, 2, . . .
L L 2mL2

5. Operator Formalism
5.1 Basic Operators
∂
x̂ψ(x) = xψ(x), p̂ψ(x) = −iℏ ψ(x),
∂x
p̂2
Ĥ = + V (x̂).
2m

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5.2 Hermitian and Commutators
Hermitian:
⟨ϕ|Âψ⟩ = ⟨Âϕ|ψ⟩.
Commutator:
[Â, B̂] = ÂB̂ − B̂ Â, [x̂, p̂] = iℏ.

6. Harmonic Oscillator
6.1 Hamiltonian and Ladder Operators
p̂2 1
Ĥ =+ mω 2 x̂2 .
2m 2
r r
mω i † mω i
â = x̂ + √ p̂, â = x̂ − √ p̂,
2ℏ 2mℏω 2ℏ 2mℏω
 
1
[â, ↠] = 1, Ĥ = ℏω ↠â + .
2

6.2 Spectrum and Ground State

Number operator: N̂ = ↠â,
 
1
N̂ |n⟩ = n|n⟩, Ĥ|n⟩ = ℏω n + |n⟩.
2

Energies:  
1
En = ℏω n + .
2
Ground state (in x):
 mω 1/4  mω 
ψ0 (x) = exp − x2 .
πℏ 2ℏ

7. Uncertainty Relation
General:
1
(∆A)2 (∆B)2 ≥ |⟨[Â, B̂]⟩|2 .
4
For A = x, B = p:
ℏ
∆x ∆p ≥ .
2

8. Angular Momentum
8.1 Definition and Components
L̂ = r̂ × p̂.
L̂x = ŷ p̂z − ẑ p̂y , L̂y = ẑ p̂x − x̂p̂z , L̂z = x̂p̂y − ŷ p̂x .

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8.2 Algebra and Ladder Operators
[L̂i , L̂j ] = iℏεijk L̂k .
L̂± = L̂x ± iL̂y ,
[L̂z , L̂± ] = ±ℏL̂± , [L̂+ , L̂− ] = 2ℏL̂z .

8.3 Eigenvalues
L̂2 |ℓ, m⟩ = ℏ2 ℓ(ℓ + 1) |ℓ, m⟩, L̂z |ℓ, m⟩ = ℏm |ℓ, m⟩,
ℓ = 0, 1, 2, . . . , m = −ℓ, . . . , ℓ.

9. Free Particle and Wavepackets

9.1 Free Hamiltonian and Plane Waves
p̂2 ℏ2 ∂ 2
Ĥ = =− .
2m 2m ∂x2
Plane wave:
ℏk 2 ℏ2 k 2
ψk (x, t) = ei(kx−ωt) , ω= , E= .
2m 2m

9.2 General Wavepacket

Z ∞  2

1 i kx− ℏk t
ψ(x, t) = √ ψ̃(k) e 2m
dk.
2π −∞

10. Ehrenfest Theorem

 
d 1 p̂
⟨x̂⟩ = ⟨[x̂, Ĥ]⟩ = ,
dt iℏ m
 
d 1 ∂V
⟨p̂⟩ = ⟨[p̂, Ĥ]⟩ = − .
dt iℏ ∂x

11. Spin–1/2 and Pauli Matrices

11.1 Spin States
   
1 0
|+⟩ = , |−⟩ = .
0 1

11.2 Pauli Matrices

     
0 1 0 −i 1 0
σx = , σy = , σz = .
1 0 i 0 0 −1
Spin operator:
ℏ ℏ
Ŝ = σ, Si = σi .
2 2

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11.3 Commutation and Eigenvalues
[σi , σj ] = 2iεijk σk , {σi , σj } = 2δij I.
3 ℏ
Ŝ 2 = ℏ2 , Sz |±⟩ = ± |±⟩.
4 2

12. Hydrogen Atom Basics

12.1 3D Schrödinger Equation
With Coulomb potential:
e2
V (r) = − .
4πε0 r
In spherical coordinates:
ψnℓm (r, θ, ϕ) = Rnℓ (r)Yℓm (θ, ϕ).

12.2 Radial Equation (Sketch)

Let unℓ (r) = rRnℓ (r). Then

ℏ2 d2 u e2 ℏ2 ℓ(ℓ + 1)
 
− + − + u = Eu.
2m dr2 4πε0 r 2mr2

12.3 Energy Levels

13.6 eV
En = − , n = 1, 2, 3, . . .
n2
Degeneracy: for fixed n, ℓ = 0, . . . , n − 1, m = −ℓ, . . . , ℓ.

13. Spherical Coordinates and Spherical Harmonics

13.1 Spherical Laplacian
∂2
   
2 1 ∂ 2∂ 1 ∂ ∂ 1
∇ = 2 r + 2 sin θ + 2 2 .
r ∂r ∂r r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ r sin θ ∂ϕ2

13.2 Spherical Harmonics

L̂2 Yℓm = ℏ2 ℓ(ℓ + 1)Yℓm , L̂z Yℓm = ℏmYℓm .
Orthonormality: Z 2π Z π
′
dϕ Yℓm∗ (θ, ϕ)Yℓm
′ (θ, ϕ) sin θ dθ = δℓℓ′ δmm′ .
0 0

14. 1D Scattering and Tunneling (Sketch)

14.1 Potential Step
(
0, x < 0,
V (x) =
V0 , x > 0.

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For E > V0 : (
Aeik1 x + Be−ik1 x , x < 0,
ψ(x) =
Ceik2 x , x > 0,
√ p
where k1 = 2mE/ℏ, k2 = 2m(E − V0 )/ℏ. Continuity at x = 0 gives reflection R and transmission T .

14.2 Square Barrier and Tunneling


0,
 x < 0,
V (x) = V0 , 0 < x < a,

0, x > a.

p
For E < V0 , inside barrier: k → iκ, κ = 2m(V0 − E)/ℏ. Transmission probability approximates:

T ∼ e−2κa .

15. Stationary Perturbation Theory (Sketch)

15.1 Non-Degenerate Case
Ĥ = Ĥ0 + λV̂ .
Unperturbed:
Ĥ0 |n(0) ⟩ = En(0) |n(0) ⟩.
First-order energy shift:
En(1) = ⟨n(0) |V̂ |n(0) ⟩.
First-order state correction:
X ⟨m(0) |V̂ |n(0) ⟩
|n(1) ⟩ = (0) (0)
|m(0) ⟩.
m̸=n En − Em

15.2 Second-Order Energy (Non-Degenerate)

X |⟨m(0) |V̂ |n(0) ⟩|2
En(2) = (0) (0)
.
m̸=n En − Em

15.3 Degenerate Case

Within the degenerate subspace {|nα(0) ⟩}:

Wαβ = ⟨nα(0) |V̂ |nβ (0) ⟩.

Diagonalize W ; eigenvalues give first-order shifts.

16. Density Matrices (Mixed and Pure States)

16.1 Pure State
ρ̂ = |ψ⟩⟨ψ|, Tr ρ̂ = 1, ρ̂2 = ρ̂.

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16.2 Mixed State
X X
ρ̂ = pi |ψi ⟩⟨ψi |, pi ≥ 0, pi = 1.
i i

Expectation value:
⟨A⟩ = Tr(ρ̂Â).
Purity: (
1, pure,
Tr ρ̂2 =
< 1, mixed.

17. Key Equations and Their Common Names

• Planck–Einstein Relation:
E = hν = ℏω.

• de Broglie Relation:
h
p = ℏk = .
λ
• Einstein Photoelectric Equation:

hν = ϕ + Kmax .

• Bohr Quantization (Hydrogen):

13.6 eV
mvr = nℏ, En = − .
n2

• Born Rule:
ρ(x, t) = |ψ(x, t)|2 .

• Fourier Transform Pair:

Z Z
1 1
ψ(x) = √ ψ̃(k)e ikx
dk, ψ̃(k) = √ ψ(x)e−ikx dx.
2π 2π

• Dirac Delta (Fourier Representation):

Z
1
δ(x) = eikx dk.
2π

• TDSE:
ℏ2 2
 
∂ψ
iℏ = − ∇ +V ψ.
∂t 2m

• TISE:
ℏ2 d2 ϕ
− + V (x)ϕ = Eϕ.
2m dx2
• Infinite Well Spectrum:

ℏ2 π 2 n2
q
2 nπx


En = , ϕn (x) = L sin L .
2mL2

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 • Canonical Commutator:
[x̂, p̂] = iℏ.
• Heisenberg Uncertainty:
ℏ
∆x ∆p ≥ .
2
• Oscillator Hamiltonian and Spectrum:
Ĥ = ℏω(↠â + 21 ), 1


En = ℏω n + 2 .

• Angular Momentum Algebra:

[L̂i , L̂j ] = iℏεijk L̂k .
• Hydrogen Levels:
13.6 eV
En = − .
n2
• Free-Particle Dispersion:
ℏ2 k 2
E= .
2m
• Ehrenfest Theorem:  
d DpE d ∂V
⟨x⟩ = , ⟨p⟩ = − .
dt m dt ∂x

18. Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory & Fermi Golden Rule

18.1 Setup
Ĥ(t) = Ĥ0 + V̂ (t),
with Ĥ0 |n⟩ = En |n⟩.

18.2 First-Order Transition Amplitude

Initial state |i⟩ at t = 0; amplitude for |f ⟩ at time t:
1 t iωf i t′ Ef − Ei
Z
(1)
cf (t) = e ⟨f |V̂ (t′ )|i⟩ dt′ , ωf i = .
iℏ 0 ℏ

18.3 Fermi Golden Rule

For a continuum of final states with density ρ(E) and a weak, time-independent perturbation:
2π
Γi→f = |⟨f |V̂ |i⟩|2 ρ(Ef ),
ℏ
where Γ is the transition rate.

19. WKB Approximation (1D)

19.1 WKB Ansatz
For slowly varying potentials in classically allowed region (E > V ):
i x
 Z 
1 ′ ′
p
ψ(x) ≈ p exp ± p(x ) dx , p(x) = 2m(E − V (x)).
p(x) ℏ
In classically forbidden region (E < V ), p(x) becomes imaginary.

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19.2 WKB Quantization Condition
Between two classical turning points x1 , x2 :
Z x2  
1
p(x) dx = πℏ n + .
x1 2

20. Identical Particles and Symmetrization

20.1 Exchange Symmetry
For two identical particles in one-particle states ϕa , ϕb :
Bosons (symmetric):
1
ΨB (x1 , x2 ) = √ [ϕa (x1 )ϕb (x2 ) + ϕb (x1 )ϕa (x2 )] .
2
Fermions (antisymmetric):
1
ΨF (x1 , x2 ) = √ [ϕa (x1 )ϕb (x2 ) − ϕb (x1 )ϕa (x2 )] .
2

20.2 Pauli Exclusion Principle

For fermions, if ϕa = ϕb , the antisymmetric wavefunction vanishes ⇒ two fermions cannot occupy the
same one-particle state.

20.3 Spin and Spatial Parts

For electrons (spin-1/2), total state:
Ψtotal = Ψspatial χspin ,
must be antisymmetric under particle exchange.

21. Addition of Angular Momenta (Outline)

21.1 Total Angular Momentum
Two angular momenta Jˆ1 , Jˆ2 :
Jˆ = Jˆ1 + Jˆ2 ,
Jˆ2 = (Jˆ1 + Jˆ2 )2 , Jˆz = Jˆ1z + Jˆ2z .

21.2 Possible Values

If j1 , j2 are given:
j = |j1 − j2 |, |j1 − j2 | + 1, . . . , j1 + j2 .
For each j, m = −j, . . . , j.

21.3 Clebsch–Gordan Coefficients

Coupled basis:
Cjjm
X
|j1 j2 ; jm⟩ = 1 m1 , j2 m2
|j1 m1 ⟩ ⊗ |j2 m2 ⟩,
m1 ,m2

where Cjjm
1 m1 , j2 m2
are the Clebsch–Gordan coefficients.

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22. Measurement Postulates, Projectors, POVMs (Basic)
22.1 Projective Measurements
Observable  with spectral decomposition
X X
 = aP̂a , P̂a2 = P̂a , P̂a† = P̂a , P̂a = I.
a a

For state |ψ⟩:

P (a) = ⟨ψ|P̂a |ψ⟩,
post-measurement (if outcome a):
P̂a |ψ⟩
|ψ⟩ −→ q .
⟨ψ|P̂a |ψ⟩

22.2 POVMs (Short)

Generalized measurements described by positive operators Êi with
X
Êi ≥ 0, Êi = I.
i

Outcome probabilities:
P (i) = ⟨ψ|Êi |ψ⟩.

23. Bloch Sphere for Spin–1/2

Any normalized spin–1/2 state can be written:

θ θ
|ψ⟩ = cos |+⟩ + eiϕ sin |−⟩,
2 2
with 0 ≤ θ ≤ π, 0 ≤ ϕ < 2π.
Expectation values:
⟨σ⟩ = (sin θ cos ϕ, sin θ sin ϕ, cos θ),
representing a point on the unit sphere (Bloch sphere).

24. Path Integral Formulation (Core Formulas)

24.1 Propagator as Sum Over Paths
Transition amplitude from (xa , ta ) to (xb , tb ):
Z  
i
K(xb , tb ; xa , ta ) = D[x(t)] exp S[x(t)] ,
ℏ
R tb
where S[x(t)] = ta L(x, ẋ, t) dt is the classical action.

24.2 Composition Property

Z
K(xb , tb ; xa , ta ) = dxc K(xb , tb ; xc , tc ) K(xc , tc ; xa , ta ).

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24.3 Connection to Schrödinger Equation
The propagator K is the Green’s function of the TDSE:
Z
ψ(xb , tb ) = K(xb , tb ; xa , ta ) ψ(xa , ta ) dxa .

25. Hilbert Space and Spectral Theorem (Core)

25.1 Hilbert Space
Quantum states are rays in a complex Hilbert space H: vectors |ψ⟩ with inner product ⟨ϕ|ψ⟩, complete
norm ∥ |ψ⟩∥2 = ⟨ψ|ψ⟩.

25.2 Spectral Theorem (Discrete Case)

For a Hermitian operator  with discrete spectrum:
X X
 = an |an ⟩⟨an |, I= |an ⟩⟨an |.
n n

Measurement of A gives an with probability |⟨an |ψ⟩|2 .

25.3 Spectral Measure (Continuous Case)

For continuous spectrum: Z
 = a dP̂ (a),

where dP̂ (a) are projection-valued measures.

26. Schrödinger, Heisenberg, and Interaction Pictures

26.1 Schrödinger Picture
States evolve, operators are (mostly) fixed:

|ψS (t)⟩ = U (t, t0 )|ψS (t0 )⟩, U (t, t0 ) = e−iĤ(t−t0 )/ℏ .

26.2 Heisenberg Picture

Operators evolve, state fixed:

|ψH ⟩ = |ψS (t0 )⟩, ÂH (t) = U † (t, t0 )ÂS U (t, t0 ).

Heisenberg equation: !
dÂH 1 ∂ Â
= [ÂH , ĤH ] + .
dt iℏ ∂t
H

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26.3 Interaction Picture
Split Hamiltonian:
Ĥ = Ĥ0 + ĤI (t).
Define:
|ψI (t)⟩ = eiĤ0 t/ℏ |ψS (t)⟩,
(I)
ĤI (t) = eiĤ0 t/ℏ ĤI (t)e−iĤ0 t/ℏ .
Interaction-picture Schrödinger equation:
d (I)
iℏ |ψI (t)⟩ = ĤI (t)|ψI (t)⟩.
dt

27. Symmetries and Conserved Quantities

27.1 Unitary Symmetries
A symmetry is a unitary (or antiunitary) operator Û such that

Û Ĥ Û † = Ĥ.

If Û = e−iϵĜ/ℏ , generator Ĝ commutes with Ĥ:

[Ĝ, Ĥ] = 0 ⇒ conserved quantity.

27.2 Translations and Momentum

Translation by a:
T̂ (a) = e−iap̂/ℏ , T̂ (a)x̂T̂ † (a) = x̂ + a.
Translation invariance ⇒ [Ĥ, p̂] = 0.

27.3 Rotations and Angular Momentum

Rotation operator:
ˆ
R̂(θ) = e−iθ·J/ℏ ,
with Jˆ the total angular momentum. Rotational invariance ⇒ [Ĥ, Jˆ] = 0.

27.4 Parity and Time Reversal (Outline)

Parity P̂ :
P̂ ψ(r) = ψ(−r), P̂ 2 = I.
Time reversal T̂ is antiunitary, acting by complex conjugation in certain bases and reversing momenta
and spins.

28. Scattering Theory (Asymptotics)

28.1 Asymptotic States
At large distances:
eikr
ψ(r) ∼ eik·r + f (θ, ϕ) ,
r
where f (θ, ϕ) is the scattering amplitude.

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28.2 Differential Cross Section
dσ
= |f (θ, ϕ)|2 .
dΩ

28.3 S-Matrix
Relates “in” and “out” states:

|out⟩ = Ŝ|in⟩, Ŝ = I − 2πiδ(Ef − Ei )T̂ ,

with T̂ the T -matrix.

28.4 Lippmann–Schwinger Equation (Sketch)

For a scattering state |ψ (+) ⟩:
1
|ψ (+) ⟩ = |ϕ⟩ + V̂ |ψ (+) ⟩.
E − Ĥ0 + i0+

29. Quantum Statistics and Many-Body Basics

29.1 Occupation Number Representation
Single-particle states labeled by k, with occupation numbers nk :

|{nk }⟩.

Bosons: nk = 0, 1, 2, . . . ; Fermions: nk = 0 or 1.

29.2 Creation and Annihilation Operators

Bosons:
[ak , a†k′ ] = δkk′ , [ak , ak′ ] = [a†k , a†k′ ] = 0.
Fermions:
{ck , c†k′ } = δkk′ , {ck , ck′ } = {c†k , c†k′ } = 0.

29.3 Bose–Einstein and Fermi–Dirac Distributions

At temperature T and chemical potential µ:
1
⟨n(ϵ)⟩BE = ,
e(ϵ−µ)/kB T − 1
1
⟨n(ϵ)⟩FD = .
e(ϵ−µ)/kB T +1

30. Entanglement and Bell Inequalities (CHSH)

30.1 Bipartite State
For two qubits (A,B):
1
X
|ψ⟩ = cij |i⟩A ⊗ |j⟩B .
i,j=0

Entangled if it cannot be written as |ψA ⟩ ⊗ |ψB ⟩.

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30.2 Bell State Example
1
|Φ+ ⟩ = √ (|00⟩ + |11⟩).
2

30.3 CHSH Inequality

Define observables A, A′ on system A and B, B ′ on system B (each with eigenvalues ±1). Define:

S = ⟨AB⟩ + ⟨AB ′ ⟩ + ⟨A′ B⟩ − ⟨A′ B ′ ⟩.

Local hidden variable theories impose:

|S| ≤ 2.
Quantum mechanics can give: √
|S| ≤ 2 2 (Tsirelson bound).

31. Open Quantum Systems and Lindblad Equation (Outline)

31.1 Reduced Density Matrix
For system + environment (SE) in state ρ̂SE , reduced system state:

ρ̂S = TrE (ρ̂SE ).

31.2 Markovian Master Equation (Lindblad Form)

Under suitable approximations:

dρ̂S i X † 1 †

= − [ĤS , ρ̂S ] + L̂k ρ̂S L̂k − {L̂k L̂k , ρ̂S } ,
dt ℏ 2
k

where ĤS is system Hamiltonian and L̂k are Lindblad (jump) operators.

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