Lecture 5

Motion of a charged particle

in a magnetic field
Charged particle in a magnetic field: Outline

1 Canonical quantization: lessons from classical dynamics

2 Quantum mechanics of a particle in a field
3 Atomic hydrogen in a uniform field: Normal Zeeman effect
4 Gauge invariance and the Aharonov-Bohm effect
5 Free electrons in a magnetic field: Landau levels
6 Integer Quantum Hall effect
Lorentz force

What is effect of a static electromagnetic field on a charged particle?

Classically, in electric and magnetic field, particles experience a

Lorentz force:

F = q (E + v B)

q denotes charge (notation: q = e for electron).

Velocity-dependent force qv B very different from that derived

from scalar potential, and programme for transferring from classical
to quantum mechanics has to be carried out with more care.

As preparation, helpful to revise(?) how the Lorentz force law arises

classically from Lagrangian formulation.
Analytical dynamics: a short primer

For a system with m degrees of freedom specified by coordinates

q1 , qm , classical action determined from Lagrangian L(qi , qi ) by
!
S[qi ] = dt L(qi , qi )

For conservative forces (those which conserve mechanical energy),

L = T V , with T the kinetic and V the potential energy.
Hamiltons extremal principle: trajectories qi (t) that minimize
action specify classical (Euler-Lagrange) equations of motion,

d
(qi L(qi , qi )) qi L(qi , qi ) = 0
dt
mq 2
e.g. for a particle in a potential V (q), L(q, q) = V (q) and
2
from Euler-Lagrange equations, mq = q V (q)
Analytical dynamics: a short primer

To determine the classical Hamiltonian H from the Lagrangian, first

obtain the canonical momentum pi = qi L and then set

"
H(qi , pi ) = pi qi L(qi , qi )
i

mq 2
e.g. for L(q, q) = 2 V (q), p = q L = mq, and
p2 p2
H = p q L = p mp ( 2m V (q)) = 2m + V (q).
In Hamiltonian
# formulation, minimization
$ of classical action
! "
S = dt pi qi H(qi , pi ) , leads to Hamiltons equations:
i

qi = pi H, pi = qi H

i.e. if Hamiltonian is independent of qi , corresponding momentum

pi is conserved, i.e. pi is a constant of the motion.
Analytical dynamics: Lorentz force

As Lorentz force F = qv B is velocity dependent, it can not be

expressed as gradient of some potential nevertheless, classical
equations of motion still specifed by principle of least action.
With electric and magnetic fields written in terms of scalar and
vector potential, B = A, E = t A, Lagrangian:

1 2
L= mv q + qv A
2

qi xi = (x1 , x2 , x3 ) and qi vi = (x1 , x2 , x3 )

N.B. form of Lagrangian more natural in relativistic formulation:

qv A = q + qv A where v = (c, v) and A = (/c, A)

Canonical momentum: pi = xi L = mvi + qAi

no longer given by mass velocity there is an extra term!
Analytical dynamics: Lorentz force
"
From H(qi , pi ) = pi qi L(qi , qi ), Hamiltonian given by:
i

" ) *
1 2 1 2
H= (mvi + qAi ) vi mv q + qv A = mv + q
% &' ( 2 2
i
= pi % &' (
= L(qi , qi )

To determine classical equations of motion, H must be expressed

solely in terms of coordinates and canonical momenta, p = mv + qA

1
H= (p qA(x, t))2 + q(x, t)
2m
Then, from classical equations of motion xi = pi H and
pi = xi H, and a little algebra, we recover Lorentz force law

mx = F = q (E + v B)
Lessons from classical dynamics

So, in summary, the classical Hamiltonian for a charged particle in

an electromagnetic field is given by

1
H= (p qA(x, t))2 + q(x, t)
2m

This is all that you need to recall its first principles derivation
from the Lagrangian formulation is not formally examinable!

Using this result as a platform, we can now turn to the quantum

mechanical formulation.
Quantum mechanics of particle in a field

Canonical quantization: promote conjugate variables to operators,

p p = i!, x x with commutation relations [pi , xj ] = i!ij

1
H = (p qA(x, t))2 + q(x, t)
2m

Gauge freedom: Note that the vector potential, A, is specified

only up to some gauge:
For a given vector potential A(x, t), the gauge transformation

A & A! = A + , & ! = t

with (x, t) an arbitrary (scalar) function, leads to the same physical

magnetic and electric field, B = A, and E = t A.

In the following, we will adopt the Coulomb gauge condition,

( A) = 0.
Quantum mechanics of particle in a field

1
H = (p qA(x, t))2 + q(x, t)
2m

Expanding the Hamiltonian in A, we can identify two types of

contribution: the cross-term (known as the paramagnetic term),

q iq! iq!
(p A + A p) = ( A + A ) = A
2m 2m m
where equality follows from Coulomb gauge condition, ( A) = 0.
q2 2
And the diagonal term (known as the diamagnetic term) A .
2m
Together, they lead to the expansion

!2 2 iq! q2 2
H = + A+ A + q
2m m 2m
Quantum mechanics of particle in a uniform field

!2 2 iq! q2 2
H = + A+ A + q
2m m 2m

For a stationary uniform magnetic field, A(x) = 12 x B (known as

the symmetric gauge), the paramagnetic component of H given by,

iq! iq! iq! q

A= (x B) = (x ) B = L B
m 2m 2m 2m

where L = x (i!) denotes the angular momentum operator.

For field, B = Bez oriented along z, diamagnetic term,
2 + ,
q2 2 q2 2 q 2 2 2 q 2 2
B
A = (x B) = x B (x B) = (x 2 + y 2 )
2m 8m 8m 8m
Quantum mechanics of particle in a uniform field

!2 2 qB q2B 2 2
H = Lz + (x + y 2 ) + q
2m 2m 8m

In the following, we will address two examples of electron (q = e)

motion in a uniform magnetic field, B = Bez :
1 Atomic hydrogen: where electron is bound to a proton by the
Coulomb potential,

1 e2
V (r ) = q(r) =
4%0 r
2 Free electrons: where the electron is unbound, = 0.
In the first case, we will see that the diamagnetic term has a
negligible role whereas, in the second, both terms contribute
significantly to the dynamics.
Atomic hydrogen in uniform field

!2 2 eB e 2B 2 2 2 1 e2
H = + Lz + (x + y )
2m 2m 8m 4%0 r

With 'x 2 + y 2 ( ) a02 , where a0 is Bohr radius, and 'Lz ( ) !,

ratio of paramagnetic and diamagnetic terms,
(e 2 /8me )'x 2 + y 2 (B 2 e 2
= a0 B ) 106 B/T
(e/2me )'Lz (B 4!
i.e. for bound electrons, diamagnetic term is negligible.
not so for unbound electrons or on neutron stars!
When compared with Coulomb energy scale,
(e/2m)!B e! 5
2 2
= 2
B ) 10 B/T
me c /2 (me c)
e2 1 1
where = 4"0 !c) 137 denotes fine structure constant,
paramagnetic term effects only a small perturbation.
Atomic hydrogen in uniform field

!2 2 e 1 e2
H ) + B L
2m 2m 4%0 r

In general, term linear in B defines magnetic dipole moment :

HM = B. Result above shows that orbital degrees of freedom
of the electron lead to a magnetic moment,
e
= L
2me
cf. classical result: for an electron in a circular orbit around a
proton, I = e/ = ev /2r . With angular momentum L = me vr ,
ev 2 e e
= IA = r = me vr = L
2r 2me 2me
In the next lecture, we will see that there is an additional instrinsic
contribution to the magnetic moment of the electron which derives
from quantum mechanical spin.

Since 'L( !, scale of set by the Bohr magneton,

Atomic hydrogen: Normal Zeeman effect

So, in a uniform magnetic field, B = Bez , the electron Hamiltonian

for atomic hydrogen is given by,

e p2 1 e2
H = H0 + B Lz , H0 =
2m 2m 4%0 r

Since [H0 , Lz ] = 0, eigenstates of unperturbed Hamiltonian, H0 ,

defined by n#m (x), remain eigenstates of H, with eigenvalues,

1
En#m = 2 Ry + !L m
n
eB
where L = denotes the Larmor frequency.
2m
(Without spin contribution) uniform magnetic field ! splitting of
(2* + 1)-fold degeneracy with multiplets separated by !L .
Normal Zeeman effect: experiment

Experiment shows Zeeman splitting of spectral lines...

e.g. Splitting of Sodium D lines

(involving 3p to 3s transitions)

P. Zeeman, Nature 55, 347 (1897).

...but the reality is made more complicated by the existence of spin

and relativistic corrections see later in the course.
Gauge invariance

1
H = (p qA(x, t))2 + q(x, t)
2m

Hamiltonian of charged particle depends on vector potential, A.

Since A defined only up to some gauge choice wavefunction is
not a gauge invariant object.
To explore gauge freedom, consider effect of gauge transformation
A & A! = A + , & ! = t
where (x, t) denotes arbitrary scalar function.
Under gauge transformation: i!t = H[A] & i!t ! = H[A! ] !
where wavefunction acquires additional phase,
- q .
! (x, t) = exp i (x, t) (x, t)
!

but probability density, | ! (x, t)|2 = |(x, t)|2 is conserved.

Gauge invariance
- q .
! (x, t) = exp i (x, t) (x, t)
!
Proof: using the identity
- q . - q .
(p qA q) exp i = exp i (p qA)
! !
/ 0 - q .
1
H[A! ] ! = (p qA q)2 + q qt exp i
2m !
- q . 1/ 0
= exp i (p qA)2 + q qt
! 2m
- q .- .
= exp i H[A] qt
!
Similarly
- q .
!
i!t = exp i (i!t qt )
!
Therefore, if i!t = H[A], we have i!t ! = H[A! ] ! .
Gauge invariance: physical consequences
- q .
! (x, t) = exp i (x, t) (x, t)
!

Consider particle (charge q) travelling along path,

P, in which the magnetic field, B = 0.
However, B = 0 , A = 0:
any (x) such that A = leads to B = 0.
In traversing path, wavefunction acquires! phase
q
= A dx.
! P
If we consider two separate paths P and P ! with same initial and
final points, relative phase of the wavefunction,
! ! 1 !
q q q Stokes q
= A dx A dx = A dx = B d 2x
! P ! P! ! ! A
2
where A runs over area enclosed by loop formed from P and P
Gauge invariance: physical consequences

!
q
= B d 2x
! A

i.e. for paths P and P ! , wavefunction

components acquire relative phase difference,

q
= magnetic flux through area
!

If paths enclose region of non-vanishing field, even if B identically

zero on paths P and P ! , (x) acquires non-vanishing relative phase.
This phenomenon, known as the Aharonov-Bohm effect, leads to
quantum interference which can influence observable properties.
Aharanov-Bohm effect: example I
Influence of quantum interference effects is visible in transport
properties of low-dimensional semiconductor devices.
When electrons are forced to detour around a potential barrier,
conductance through the device shows Aharonov-Bohm oscillations.
Aharanov-Bohm effect: example II

But can we demonstrate interference effects when electrons transverse

region where B is truly zero? Definitive experimental proof provided in
1986 by Tonomura:

If a superconductor completely encloses a

toroidal magnet, flux through superconducting
loop quantized in units of h/2e.
Electrons which pass inside or outside the
loop therefore acquire a relative phase
e h
difference of = n = n.
! 2e
If n is even, there is no phase shift, while if n Tonomura et al., 1986

is odd, there is a phase shift of .

Experiment confirms both Aharonov-Bohm effect and the

phenomenon of flux quantization in a superconductor!
Summary: charged particle in a field

Starting from the classical Lagrangian for a particle moving in a a

static electromagnetic field,

1 2
L= mv q + qv A
2

we derived the quantum Hamiltonian,

1
H= (p qA(x, t))2 + q(x, t)
2m

An expansion in A leads to a paramagnetic and diamagnetic

contribution which, in the Coulomb gauge ( A = 0), is given by

!2 2 iq! q2 2
H = + A+ A + q
2m m 2m
Summary: charged particle in a field

Applied to atomic hydrogen, a uniform magnetic field, B = Bez

leads to the Hamiltonian
3 4
1 2 L2 1 2 2 2 2 1 e2
H = pr + 2 + eB Lz + e B (x + y )
2m r 4 4%0 r

For weak fields, diamagnetic contribution is negligible in

comparison with paramagnetic and can be dropped.
Therefore, (continuing to ignore electron spin), magnetic field splits
orbital degeneracy leading to normal Zeeman effect,

1
En#m = 2
Ry + B Bm
n

However, when diamagnetic term O(B 2 n3 ) competes with Coulomb

energy scale Ry
n2 classical dynamics becomes irregular and system
enters quantum chaotic regime.
Summary: charged particle in a field

Gauge invariance of electromagnetic field wavefunction not

gauge invariant.
Under gauge transformation, A & A! = A + ,
& ! = t , wavefunction acquires additional phase,
- q .
! (x, t) = exp i (x, t) (x, t)
!
! Aharanov-Bohm effect: (even if no orbital effect) particles
2
q
encircling magnetic flux acquire relative phase, = ! A B d 2 x.

i.e. for = 2n
expect constructive
interference n1 he
oscillations.
Lecture 5: continuedFree electrons in a magnetic
field: Landau levels

But what happens when free (i.e. unbound) charged particles

experience a magnetic field which influences orbital motion?
e.g. electrons in a metal.

1
H = (p qA(x, t))2 + q(x, t), q = e
2m

In this case, classical orbits can be macroscopic in extent, and there

is no reason to neglect the diamagnetic contribution.
Here it is convenient (but not essential see PS1) to adopt Landau
gauge, A(x) = (By , 0, 0), B = A = Bez , where

1 5 2 2 2
6
H = (px eBy ) + py + pz
2m
Free electrons in a magnetic field: Landau levels

1 5 2 2 2
6
H(x) = (px eBy ) + py + pz (x) = E (x)
2m

Since [H, px ] = [H, pz ] = 0, both px and pz conserved,

i.e. (x) = e i(px x+pz z)/! (y ) with
3 4 ) *
2
py 1 pz2
+ m 2 (y y0 )2 (y ) = E (y )
2m 2 2m

px eB
where y0 = and = is classical cyclotron frequency
eB m
px defines centre of harmonic oscillator in y with frequency , i.e.

pz2
En,pz = (n + 1/2)! +
2m

The quantum numbers, n, index infinite set of Landau levels.

Free electrons in a magnetic field: Landau levels

pz2
En,pz = (n + 1/2)! +
2m

Taking pz = 0 (for simplicity), for lowest Landau level, n = 0,

E0 = !
2 ; what is level degeneracy?

Consider periodic rectangular geometry of area A = Lx Ly . Centre

px
of oscillator wavefunction, y0 = eB , lies in [0, Ly ].
With periodic boundary conditions e ipx Lx /! = 1, px = 2n L!x , i.e. y0
set by evenly-spaced discrete values separated by y0 = peB
x
= h
eBLx .
L L
degeneracy of lowest Landau level N = |yy 0 | = h/eBL
y
x
= BA
0 ,
N
where 0 = he denotes flux quantum, ( BA ) 1014 m2 T1 ).
Quantum Hall effect
The existence of Landau levels leads to the remarkable phenomenon of
the Quantum Hall Effect, discovered in 1980 by von Kiltzing, Dorda and
Pepper (formerly of the Cavendish).
Experiment: linear increase in xy
with B punctuated by plateaus at
which xx = 0 dissipationless flow!

Classically, in a crossed electric

E = Eey and magnetic field
B = Bez , electron drifts in
direction ex with speed v = E/B.

F = q(E + v B)

With current density jx = nev ,

Hall resistivity,

Ey E B
xy = = =
jx nev en
Quantum Hall Effect

Origin of phenomenon lies in Landau level quantization: For a state

of the lowest Landau level,

e ipx x/! 7 m 81/4 m (y y0 )2

px (y ) = e 2!
Lx !
1
current jx = 2m ( (px + eAx ) + ((px + eAx )) ), i.e.

1
jx (y ) = (px (px eBy ) + px ((px eBy ) ))
2m 9
m 1 px eBy m (y y0 )2
= e !
! Lx % &' m (
eB
m (y0 y )

is non-vanishing. (Note that current operator also gauge invarant.)

However, if we compute total current along x by integrating along
2 Ly
y , sum vanishes, Ix = 0 dy jx (y ) = 0.
Quantum Hall Effect

If electric field now imposed along y , e(y ) = eEy , symmetry is

broken; but wavefunction still harmonic oscillator-like,
3 4
2
py 1
+ m 2 (y y0 )2 eEy (y ) = E (y )
2m 2

px mE
but now centered around y0 = eB + eB 2 .

However, the current is still given by

9 ) *
m 1 px eBy eB mE m (y y0 )2
jx (y ) = y0 y 2
e !
! Lx m m eB

Integrating, we now obtain a non-vanishing current flow

! Ly
eE
Ix = dy jx (y ) =
0 BLx
Quantum Hall Effect
! Ly
eE
Ix = dy jx (y ) =
0 BLx

To obtain total current flow from all electrons, we must multiply Ix

by the total number of occupied states.
If Fermi energy lies between two Landau levels with n occupied,
eB eE e2
Itot = nN Ix = n Lx Ly = n ELy
h BLx h

With V = ELy , voltage drop across y , Hall conductance (equal

to conductivity in two-dimensions),

Itot e2
xy = =n
V h
Since no current flow in direction of applied field, longitudinal
conductivity yy vanishes.
Quantum Hall Effect

Since there is no potential drop in the direction of current flow, the

longitudinal resistivity xx also vanishes, while

1 h
yx =
n e2

Experimental measurements of these values provides the best

determination of fundamental ratio e 2 /h, better than 1 part in 108 .