A particle of mass and charge moves in a uniform magnetic field along
PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Mechanics & Dynamical Systems · Hamiltonian mechanics and canonical structure · Hamiltonian mechanics and canonical structure
Action and Symmetry, Ch Canonical transformations, generating functions and symplectic structure
Problem
A particle of mass m=1.0×10−26kg and charge Qe=1.6×10−19C moves in a uniform magnetic field B=0.20T along z, its motion confined to the x-y plane (pz=0). In the Landau gauge of Chapter 13, A=(0,Bx,0), the Hamiltonian is H=2mpx2+2m(py−QeBx)2, with y cyclic, so py is a constant of the motion; take py=−1.6×10−21kgms−1. At t=0 the particle is at x=0 with px=0.
((a)) Write H in the form H=px2/2m+21mωc2(x−x0)2, and give the numerical values of the cyclotron frequency ωc=QeB/m and the guiding-centre position x0.
((b)) Let x′=x−x0. The generating function F1=21mωcx′2cotQ gives px=mωcx′cotQ, P=21mωcx′2/sin2Q, hence x′=2P/(mωc)sinQ, px=2mωcPcosQ, and K=H=ωcP. Find the constant value of P for this particle.
((c)) Find the smallest time t1>0 at which the particle returns to the guiding centre, x(t1)=x0, and give px at that instant.
((d)) Confirm the value of P found in part (b) by computing ∮pxdx′ directly, as the area of the ellipse traced by (x′,px) over one cyclotron period, and dividing by 2π.