Quantum Mechanics – Eigenstates Of Position And Momentum Operators Explored

eigenvaluefourier transformmomentumquantum mechanicswavefunction

In Griffiths pages 103-105 "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" 2nd editiion he states that the eigenfunctions of the position and momentum operators are $$g_y(x) = \delta(x-y)$$ where the eigenvalue equation is $$xg_y(x) = yg_y(x)$$

and for the momentum operator it is $$f_p(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2 \pi \hbar}}e^{\frac{i p x}{\hbar}}$$
where the eigenvalue equation is $$\frac{\hbar}{i}\frac{d}{dx}f_p(x) = p f_p(x).$$

In other literature, this is not stated, why is this the case? Are these in fact the eigenfunctions of the position and momentum operators?

Best Answer

These relations are found in every book on QM, but the usual notation is $$ X|x\rangle=x|x\rangle $$ and $$ P|p\rangle=p|p\rangle $$

To go from these equations to the ones you've written, you just have to project them into the position basis $|x'\rangle$ (and use $\langle x'|x\rangle=\delta(x-x')$ and $\langle x'|p\rangle\sim\exp[ipx]$).

Edit Important: see ACuriousMind's comment below.