quantum harmonic oscillator
The quantum harmonic oscillator is a fundamental model in quantum mechanics that describes a particle bound in a potential well, resembling a mass attached to a spring. It illustrates how particles behave at the quantum level, where energy levels are quantized, meaning the particle can only occupy specific energy states. This model is essential for understanding various physical systems, including atoms and molecules.
In this model, the energy levels are evenly spaced, and the lowest energy state, known as the ground state, is not zero but a small positive value. The quantum harmonic oscillator is crucial for explaining phenomena in fields like quantum field theory and solid-state physics, providing insights into the behavior of phonons and photons.