Consider the potential V(x)=-h2a2msech2(ax)where a is a positive constant, and "sech" stands for the hyperbolic secant

(a) Graph this potential.

(b) Check that this potential has the ground state

ψ0(x)and find its energy. Normalize and sketch its graph.

(C)Show that the function ψ2(x)=A(ik-atanhaxik+a)ekx

(Where k=2mEihas usual) solves the Schrödinger equation for any (positive) energy E. Sincetanhz-1asas This represents, then, a wave coming in from the left with no accompanying reflected wave (i.e., no term . What is the asymptotic formψk(x) of at large positive x? What are R and T, for this potential? Comment: This is a famous example of a reflectionless potential-every incident particle, regardless of its energy, passes right through.

Short Answer

Expert verified

(a) The graph of the potential is,

(b)Hence the energy is, -h2a22m.

(c) For any wave functionψk(x) the transmission coefficient A is equal to 1, therefore, every state gets completely transmitted.

Step by step solution

01

Define the Schrödinger equation

A differential equation that describes matter in quantum mechanics in terms of the wave-like properties of particles in a field. Its answer is related to a particle's probability density in space and time.

02

Step 2: Plot the graph

(a)

Sketch of the potential for any parameter a is plotted below,

03

 Step 3 : Determination of the energy and graph

(b)

The given equation:

ψ0x=Asechax

Differentiate with respect to x.

localid="1658302767211" 0dx=-Aasechaxtanhax

0dx=-Aa2-sechaxtanh2ax+sechaxsech2ax ...(1)

The given equation:

kx=kx

Now rewrite the Hamiltonian equation:

localid="1658303461512" Hψ0=-h2md2ψ0dx2-h2a2msech2axψ0 (2)

Substitute the value of d2ψ0dx2 and ψ0 in equation (2).

Hψ0=h2m×Aa2-sechaxtanh2ax+sech2ax-h2a2mAsech3axψ0Hψ0=h2Aa22m×Aa2-sechaxtanh2ax+2sech2ax=h2Aa22m×Aa2-sechaxtanh2ax+2sech2ax

But tanh2ax+sech2ax=1so,

localid="1658304817569" Hψ0=-h2Aa22msechax1Hψ0=-h2Aa22msechax=h2a22mψ0

Hence the energy is, h2a22m.

For normalize ψ0-

1=A2-sech2axdx=A2×1atanhax-A2=a2A=a2

04

Determination of the Schrödinger equation

(c)

The given equation:

ψkx=Aik-atanhaxik+aeikxDifferentiatewithrespecttox.dψkdx=Aik+aik-atanhaxik-a2sech2axeikxdψkdx=Aik+aik-atanhaxik-a2sech2ax-a2iksech2ax+2a3sech2axtanhax

For given equation-

Hψkx=-h22m2ψkx2-h2a2msech2axψk

Differentiate with respect to x.

localid="1658306528413" Hψkx=-h22m2ψkx2-h2a2msech2axψk

Substitute the value of d2ψkdxand ψkin the above equation

Hψkx=-h22m2ψkx2-h2a2msech2axψk

=Aik+a-h2ik2m-k2-iaktanhax-a2sech2ax+h2a22miksech2axeikx=Aik+a-h2a2msech2axtanax-h2a2msech2axik-atanhaxeikx


=Aeikxik+ah22mik3-ak2tanhax+ia2ksech2ax+ia2ksech2ax-2a3sech2axtanhax-2ia2ksech2ax+2a3sech2axtanhax=Aeikxik+ah22mk2ik-atanhax

=h2k22mψkx=Eψkx

Evaluate further and get,

Hψkx=Eψkx

Observe the behaviour of the wave function

Whenx+

tanhax1whenx+,ψkxAik-aik+aeikx

T=ik-aik-a2=1

Thus, the conclusion is, for any wave function ψkxthe transmission coefficient A is equal to 1, therefore, every state gets completely transmitted.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Find the transmission coefficient for the potential in problem 2.27

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

This is a strictly qualitative problem-no calculations allowed! Consider the "double square well" potential (Figure 2.21). Suppose the depth V0and the width a are fixed, and large enough so that several bound states occur.

(a) Sketch the ground state wave function Ψ1and the first excited state localid="1658211858701" Ψ2(i) for the case b = 0 (ii) forbaand (iii) for ba

(b) Qualitatively, how do the corresponding energies(E1andE2)and vary, as b goes from 0 to ? Sketch E1(b)and E2(b)on the same graph.

(c) The double well is a very primitive one-dimensional model for the potential experienced by an electron in a diatomic molecule (the two wells represent the attractive force of the nuclei). If the nuclei are free to move, they will adopt the configuration of minimum energy. In view of your conclusions in (b), does the electron tend to draw the nuclei together, or push them apart? (Of course, there is also the internuclear repulsion to consider, but that's a separate problem.)

Prove the following three theorem;

a) For normalizable solutions the separation constant E must be real as E0+iτand show that if equation 1.20 is to hold for all t,τ must be zero.

b) The time - independent wave function localid="1658117146660" ψ(x) can always be taken to be real, This doesn’t mean that every solution to the time-independent Schrodinger equation is real; what it says is that if you’ve got one that is not, it can always be expressed as a linear combination of solutions that are . So, you might as well stick toψ ’s that are real

c) If is an even function then ψ(x)can always be taken to be either even or odd

A particle of mass m is in the potential

V(x)={,(x<0)-32h2ma2,(0xa)0,(x>a)

How many bound states are there?

In the highest-energy bound state, what is the probability that the particle would be found outside the well (x>a)? Answer: 0.542, so even though it is “bound” by the well, it is more likely to be found outside than inside!

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