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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