MISN-0-385

RECTANGULAR POTENTIALS
RECTANGULAR POTENTIALS by R. Spital 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2. Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Project PHYSNET Physics Bldg. Michigan State University East Lansing, MI

ID Sheet: MISN-0-385 THIS IS A DEVELOPMENTAL-STAGE PUBLICATION OF PROJECT PHYSNET The goal of our project is to assist a network of educators and scientists in transferring physics from one person to another. We support manuscript processing and distribution, along with communication and information systems. We also work with employers to identify basic scientic skills as well as physics topics that are needed in science and technology. A number of our publications are aimed at assisting users in acquiring such skills. Our publications are designed: (i) to be updated quickly in response to eld tests and new scientic developments; (ii) to be used in both classroom and professional settings; (iii) to show the prerequisite dependencies existing among the various chunks of physics knowledge and skill, as a guide both to mental organization and to use of the materials; and (iv) to be adapted quickly to specic user needs ranging from single-skill instruction to complete custom textbooks. New authors, reviewers and eld testers are welcome. PROJECT STAFF Andrew Schnepp Eugene Kales Peter Signell Webmaster Graphics Project Director

Title: Rectangular Potentials Author: R. Spital, Dept. of Physics, Illinois State Univ Version: 10/18/2001 Length: 2 hr; 8 pages Input Skills: 1. Solve two simultaneous algebraic equations with two unknowns. 2. Unknown: assume (MISN-0-384). Output Skills (Knowledge): K1. Write down the solution to the S-equation in a region of constant potential V , for the case E > V and E < V . K2. Write down the boundary conditions applying to the wave function at a point of discontinuity in the potential. Output Skills (Rule Application): R1. Use the boundary conditions of K2 to relate the amplitude coefcients of the wave functions in the various regions. In the case of scattering states (E > V in the region from whence the wave packet is incident), the direction of motion of the incident packet must be taken into account. R2. Apply the denition of the probability current to calculate reection and transmission coecients in the various regions. Output Skills (Problem Solving): S1. Determine the energy eigenstates and energy eigenvalues for the innite square well in one dimension. S2. Solve problem 5.13. In addition, the student must be able to calculate the expectation values of all the operators in table 4-2 in innite square well eigenstates. External Resources (Required): 1. E. E. Anderson, Modern Physics and Quantum Mechanics, W. B. Saunders (1971). Evaluation: Stage B0

ADVISORY COMMITTEE D. Alan Bromley E. Leonard Jossem A. A. Strassenburg Yale University The Ohio State University S. U. N. Y., Stony Brook

Views expressed in a module are those of the module author(s) and are not necessarily those of other project participants. c 2001, Peter Signell for Project PHYSNET, Physics-Astronomy Bldg., Mich. State Univ., E. Lansing, MI 48824; (517) 355-3784. For our liberal use policies see: http://www.physnet.org/home/modules/license.html.

MISN-0-385

MISN-0-385 - In the center of page 161 Anderson meant to write: k2 = K2 .

RECTANGULAR POTENTIALS by R. Spital 1. Introduction

In this unit we shall attack our rst class of problems to be solved with the Schrdinger equation. In these problems the potential has sharp o discontinuities, but is constant in the regions between the discontinuities. While such potentials are not physically realistic, our study will reveal some general characteristics of solutions to the energy eigenstate problem. Furthermore, when the potential is unknown (as is frequently the case in research) rectangular potential solutions are frequently used as zerothorder approximations to the wave function in order to get a theoretical starting point.

4. Let us return now to the transmission and reection coecients. In Chapter 4, we skipped section (4.10) in which the probability current S was dened by: S= h ( ) ( ) . 2m

Here S is analogous to the Poynting Vector in electricity and magnetism and represents the probability ow per unit area per unit time. Conservation of total probability in time is expressed by: S+ = 0, t

2. Procedures
The material for the unit is covered in sections 5.1 to 5.3 of Anderson. In each section a slightly dierent potential is discussed but the basic method is the same; and learning this method constitutes the rst three Output Skills. 1. Read section 5.1, skipping the reection and transmission coecients for the time being. Be sure you understand equations (5.1), (5.2), and (5.8); the steps leading to them, and how and why they dier. You must be able to derive these equations from memory. A, B, C and D are the amplitude coecients. Why must D be zero in each of the two cases? 2. The boundary conditions (5.4) must hold at any point (there is nothing special about x = 0) for any physical wave-function . These plausible conditions require that physical states be represented by probability distributions with no discontinuities or sharp points. 3. Imposing the boundary conditions (5.4) on equations (5.1) and (5.2) leads to equations (5.5). In a similar way (5.9) is obtained. Make sure you can derive these relations among the amplitude coecients.

where is the probability density. What can you say about S in a region where is real, or where the phase of is independent of position? Note that S depends on time through . However, for stationary state of energy E, h (r, t) = E (r)eEt/ . Show that, for such a state, S is independent of time and given by the same expression but with (r, t) replaced by E (r). The transmission and reection coecients are, by denition: T |Str |/|Sin |, R |Sre |/|Sin | where the subscripts denote the transmitted, reected, and incident waves. Armed with this knowledge, derive equations (5.7) and (5.10). The coecients are the percentage of the incident probability transmitted and reectedfor one particle incident they represent the probability of nding the particle on either side of the barrier after the collision. Note that we are using the language of a time-dependent collision process, even though we are working with time-independent energy eigenstates. This is done for convenienceit would be better (certainly more intuitive) to give a time-dependent treatment with physical wave packets; but this is too complicated for us to take up here.
6

MISN-0-385

MISN-0-385

The price we pay is having to make some plausible, but not completely justied, identications of various parts of the wave function with different time-dependent phenomena (reected wave, transmitted wave, etc.). The more correct time-depedent approach would vindicate our assumptions. (1 )-(4 ) Now go on to section 5.2, paying attention to the same points as in (1)-(4) above. Only the shape of the potential has changed. Note that for certain energies, there is 100% transmission through the barrier; an interesting and purely quantum mechanical eect. To gain practice in obtaining practical results, solve problems 5-3, 5-4, 5-5 and 5-6. - On page 166 Anderson seems to imply that 109 seconds is equal to 100 years; actually it is equal to about 30 years. 5. Read section 5.3. Here we have a well instead of a barrier and for energies less than the height of the well, bound states are obtained, i. e. goes to 0 at , indicating that the particle is bound to the potential (states like these correspond to electrons bound in atoms). Study the derivation of the conditions on the amplitude coecients. Be sure you see why the wave function must be even or odd. In the case of the innite well, the wave function must vanish outside the well to avoid having innite energy. (In this idealized case, d/dx need not be continuous at the boundary of the well.) To test your knowledge of the steps involved in nding the wave-function, specialize to this case and nd the energy eigenstates and eigenvalues using this new boundary condition. Check your answers with the results given on page 172. Be sure you can solve the innite square well problem completely from memory. For further practice with these ideas solve problem 5-7 and the rst part of 5-8. 6. To gain additional familiarity with the square-well eigenstates, solve problem 5-13. Also calculate the expectation values of the operators in table 4.2 in the states: x a. 1 (x) = N1 cos 2a x b. 2 (x) = N2 sin a c. of problem 5-13.

Here N1 and N2 are normalization constants that you may evaluate if you need them.

Acknowledgments
The author would like to thank Illinois State University for support in the construction of this lesson. Preparation of this module was supported in part by the National Science Foundation, Division of Science Education Development and Research, through Grant #SED 74-20088 to Michigan State University.