The squeeze operator can act upon these states to change the width of the wavepacket. For 10 points each:
[10h] Name these quantum states that are eigenvalues of the annihilation operator and saturate the uncertainty principle. These states are usually indexed by a complex value notated alpha.
ANSWER: coherent states [accept squeezed coherent states]
[10e] Coherent states are states of this quantum system, an analogue of a mass on a spring with a quadratic potential.
ANSWER: quantum harmonic oscillator [accept QHO; prompt on oscillator]
[10m] Since coherent states saturate the uncertainty principle, the product of the uncertainties in position and momentum must be equal to this number.
ANSWER: reduced Planck’s constant over 2 [or h-bar over 2; accept h over 4 pi; accept Planck’s constant over 4 pi; reject “Planck’s constant” or “h” or “h-bar” or “h over 2” or “Planck’s constant over 2”]
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