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Matrix representation of the $x$-component of orbital angular momentum $hat{L}_x$

Physics Asked on June 9, 2021

In my notes it is given that using the spherical harmonic (shown below) as basis states in this order, the matrix representing the $x$-component of orbital angular momentum $hat{L}_x$ for a particle with angular momentum quantum number $l=1$:

$$
qquad
hat L_x=frac{hbar}{sqrt{2}} left(
begin{array}{ccc}
0 & 1 & 0
1 & 0 & 1
0 & 1 & 0
end{array}
right) tag{1}
$$

The spherical harmonic used are:

Blockquote

I am trying to derive the matrix of $hat{L}_x$.

First I need to find the eigenvlaues and eigenvectors of $hat{L}_x$, however I cannot find it anywhere and I don’t know how to derive it.

One Answer

You can derive $L_x$ from the ladder operators $L_{pm}$.

These operators verify: begin{equation} L_{pm} | 1, m rangle= hbar sqrt{2 - m (m pm 1)} | 1, m pm 1 rangle end{equation}

With the given basis you can derive the matrix for these operators and find $L_x$ like:

begin{equation} L_x = frac{1}{2} (L_+ + L_-) end{equation}

Answered by MiguelFuego on June 9, 2021

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