Question: Find the probability current, J (Problem 1.14) for the free particle wave function Equation 2.94. Which direction does the probability flow?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The probability current(J) is

j=^km|A|2

Step by step solution

01

The probability current density (J)

The required formula of probability current density(J) is,

role="math" localid="1657786971189" J=i2m(ΨΨ'x-Ψ*Ψx)

Where y is the wave function of the particle and complex conjugate of yisy°.

02

Compute probability current density

Equation 2.94from the chapter is

Ψk(X,t)=Aeikxjkk22m2

ψ'=Aeikkm22m2?,

Thus, it can written that,

J=i2mΨΨ*x-Ψ*Ψx

=i×2m|A|2eikx-xk22mt(-ik)e-ikx-ak22mt-ekxxk2t2mt(ik)ekx-mk22mt

J=i2m|A|2(-2ik)

J=km|A|2

It flows in the positive (x)direction.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Delta functions live under integral signs, and two expressions (D1xandD2x)involving delta functions are said to be equal if

-+f(x)D1(x)dx=-+f(x)D2(x)dxfor every (ordinary) function f(x).

(a) Show that

δ(cx)=1|c|δ(x)(2.145)

where c is a real constant. (Be sure to check the case where c is negative.)

(b) Let θ(x) be the step function:

θ(x){1,x>00,x>0(2.146).

(In the rare case where it actually matters, we define θ(0) to be 1/2.) Show that dθldx=δ

Derive Equations 2.167 and 2.168.Use Equations 2.165 and 2.166 to solve C and D in terms of F:

C=(sin(la)+iklcos(la))eikaF;D=(cos(la)iklsin(la))eikaF

Plug these back into Equations 2.163 and 2.164. Obtain the transmission coefficient and confirm the equation 2.169

Find the transmission coefficient for the potential in problem 2.27

-consider the “step” potential:

v(x)={0,ifx0,V0,ifx>0,

a.Calculate the reflection coefficient, for the case E < V0, and comment on the answer.

b. Calculate the reflection coefficient, for the case E >V0.

c. For potential such as this, which does not go back to zero to the right of the barrier, the transmission coefficient is not simply F2A2(with A the incident amplitude and F the transmitted amplitude), because the transmitted wave travels at a different speed . Show thatT=E-V0V0F2A2,for E >V0. What is T for E < V0?

d. For E > V0, calculate the transmission coefficient for the step potential, and check that T + R = 1.


Show that [Aeikx+Be-ikx] and [Ccos(kx)+Dsin(kx)] are equivalent ways of writing the same function of x, and determine the constants C and D in terms of Aand B, and vice versa.

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