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Introduction to Quantum Mechanics - Lecture 5

Lecture 5 of Physics 301 covers the applications of the Schrödinger equation, focusing on the finite potential well and potential barrier. It discusses the quantization of energy levels in the finite potential well and the phenomena of tunneling and scattering in the potential barrier. Key terms include bound states, transmission and reflection coefficients, and the implications of quantum tunneling in technology.

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3 views

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics - Lecture 5

Lecture 5 of Physics 301 covers the applications of the Schrödinger equation, focusing on the finite potential well and potential barrier. It discusses the quantization of energy levels in the finite potential well and the phenomena of tunneling and scattering in the potential barrier. Key terms include bound states, transmission and reflection coefficients, and the implications of quantum tunneling in technology.

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nadia90.ju
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Class Note: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics -

Lecture 5
Course: Physics 301 (Undergraduate Level)
Instructor: Dr. Hamin
Date: April 11, 2025
Topic: Applications of the Schrödinger Equation: Finite Potential Well and
Potential Barrier
I. Introduction (0-5 minutes)
• Brief review of Lecture 4: The time-dependent Schrödinger equation and the
concept of stationary states for time-independent potentials.
• Introduction to applications of the time-independent Schrödinger equation to
more realistic potentials beyond the infinite square well.
• Outline of the topics to be covered: the finite potential well (bound states) and
the potential barrier (scattering and tunneling).
II. The Finite Potential Well (1D) (5-30 minutes)
• Potential Definition: V(x)={−V00for −a<x<afor ∣x∣>a where V0>0 is the
depth of the well and 2a is its width.
• Regions to Consider:
• Region I (x<−a): V(x)=0, Schrödinger equation: −2mℏ2dx2d2ψ(x)=Eψ(x)
• Solutions are of the form: ψI(x)=Aeκx+Be−κx, where κ=−2mE/ℏ2 (for bound
states, E<0). For physically acceptable solutions (finite as x→−∞), we require
B=0, so ψI(x)=Aeκx.
• Region II (−a<x<a): V(x)=−V0, Schrödinger equation: −2mℏ2dx2d2ψ(x)−V0
ψ(x)=Eψ(x)
• Solutions are of the form: ψII(x)=Csin(kx)+Dcos(kx), where k=2m(E+V0)/ℏ2.
• Region III (x>a): V(x)=0, Schrödinger equation: −2mℏ2dx2d2ψ(x)=Eψ(x)
• Solutions are of the form: ψIII(x)=Feκx+Ge−κx. For physically acceptable
solutions (finite as x→∞), we require F=0, so ψIII(x)=Ge−κx.
• Boundary Conditions: To obtain physically valid solutions, the wave function
and its first derivative must be continuous at the boundaries x=−a and x=a:
• ψI(−a)=ψII(−a)
• dxdψI(−a)=dxdψII(−a)
• ψII(a)=ψIII(a)
• dxdψII(a)=dxdψIII(a)
• Quantization of Energy: Applying these boundary conditions leads to
transcendental equations for the allowed energy levels (E). These equations
generally have a discrete set of solutions, indicating that the energy of a
particle in a finite potential well is quantized. The number of bound states
depends on the depth and width of the well (V0 and a).
• Even and Odd Solutions: Due to the symmetry of the potential, the bound
state solutions can be classified as even (ψ(−x)=ψ(x)) or odd (ψ(−x)=−ψ(x)).
III. The Potential Barrier (1D) (30-55 minutes)
• Potential Definition: V(x)={V00for 0<x<aotherwise where V0>0 is the
height of the barrier and a is its width.
• Regions to Consider:
• Region I (x<0): V(x)=0, Schrödinger equation: −2mℏ2dx2d2ψ(x)=Eψ(x)
• Solutions: ψI(x)=Aeikx+Be−ikx, where k=2mE/ℏ2. Aeikx represents an incident
wave, and Be−ikx represents a reflected wave.
• Region II (0<x<a): V(x)=V0, Schrödinger equation: −2mℏ2dx2d2ψ(x)+V0
ψ(x)=Eψ(x)
• Case 1: E<V0 (Tunneling): Solutions are of the form: ψII(x)=Ceκx+De−κx,
where κ=2m(V0−E)/ℏ2.
• Case 2: E>V0 (Scattering): Solutions are of the form: ψII(x)=Ceik′x+De−ik′x,
where k′=2m(E−V0)/ℏ2.
• Region III (x>a): V(x)=0, Schrödinger equation: −2mℏ2dx2d2ψ(x)=Eψ(x)
• Solutions: ψIII(x)=Feikx+Ge−ikx. For a particle incident from the left, we
typically assume no wave incident from the right, so G=0, giving ψIII(x)=Feikx
(transmitted wave).
• Boundary Conditions: Continuity of ψ(x) and dxdψ at x=0 and x=a are
applied to solve for the coefficients (A,B,C,D,F).
• Transmission and Reflection Coefficients:
• Transmission Coefficient (T): The ratio of the probability current of the
transmitted wave to the probability current of the incident wave (T=∣F/A∣2).
• Reflection Coefficient (R): The ratio of the probability current of the reflected
wave to the probability current of the incident wave (R=∣B/A∣2).
• Conservation of probability requires R+T=1.
• Quantum Tunneling (E<V0): A remarkable quantum phenomenon where a
particle has a non-zero probability of passing through a potential barrier even if
its energy is less than the barrier height. The probability of tunneling decreases
exponentially with the width and height of the barrier.
• Applications of Tunneling: Alpha decay, scanning tunneling microscopy
(STM), resonant tunneling diodes.
IV. Conclusion and Next Steps (55-60 minutes)
• Summary of the solutions for the finite potential well (quantized bound states)
and the potential barrier (transmission and reflection, including tunneling).
• Emphasis on the importance of boundary conditions in determining allowed
solutions and physical phenomena.
• Introduction to the counter-intuitive nature of quantum tunneling and its
technological applications.
• Preview of the next lecture: The Harmonic Oscillator in Quantum Mechanics.
• Brief Q&A.
Key Terms:
• Finite potential well
• Bound states
• Transcendental equations
• Even and odd solutions (wave functions)
• Potential barrier
• Scattering
• Tunneling
• Transmission coefficient (T)
• Reflection coefficient (R)
• Probability current
• Boundary conditions
Further Reading:
• Griffiths, D. J. (2017). Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (3rd ed.). Pearson.
(Chapter 2)
• Serway, R. A., & Jewett, J. W. (2019). Physics for Scientists and Engineers with
Modern Physics (10th ed.). Cengage Learning. (Chapter 41)
Note: These examples illustrate how the Schrödinger equation can be used to
analyze more complex and physically relevant systems. Understanding the
application of boundary conditions is crucial for solving these problems. The
phenomenon of quantum tunneling highlights the significant differences
between classical and quantum mechanics.

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