Example

Consider the double delta-function potential V (x) = [ (x + a) + (x a)], where and a are positive constants. How many bound states does it possess?
' $

Note: For any V (x) that is an even function (that is, V (x) = V (x)), the solution (x) can always be taken to be either even or odd. Proof: If (x) satisies the time-independent Schrdinger equation, h 2 d 2 (x) + V (x) (x) = E (x), 2m dx2

then, changing variables x x and noting that 2 / (x)2 = 2 / x2 , h 2 2 (x) + V (x) (x) = E (x); 2m x2 so if V (x) = V (x) then (x) also satises the time-independent Schrdinger equation. It follows that plus (x) + (x) (which is even: plus (x) = plus (x)), and minus (x) (x) (x) (which is odd: minus (x) = minus (x)) both satisfy the time-independent Schrdinger equation. But (x) = 1 2 (plus (x) + minus (x)), so any solution can be expressed as a linear combination of even and odd solutions. QED
& %

Lets consider the odd solutions rst. Solving the Schrdinger equation for the regions (x > a), (a < x < a), and (x < a), where V = 0, gives x (x > a), Ae , x x B(e e ), (a < x < a), (x) = Ae x , (x < a),
2mE . Using the continuity condition for (x) at x = a, we can solve for where as before h the constant A in terms of B:

71

 2m Using the discontinuous derivative at a d (a) , combined with the result from the dx = h 2 continuity condition for , we can eliminate the constant B:

This is a transcendental equation for (and hence for E ). We can solve it graphically: Let z = 2 a, h 2 , so ez = 1 cz. We plot both sides and look for intersections: c 2am

Note both graphs have their y-intercepts at 1, but if c is too large ( too small), there may be no intersection, whereas if c is smaller, there will be. (Note that z = 0 = 0 is not a solution, since is then non-normalizable.) The slope of ez (at z = 0) is 1; the slope of (1 cz) is c. So there is one odd solution for c < 1 (i.e., > h 2 /2ma). We can nd the energy of the odd solution given a specic value for :

72

Exercise 7
Find the even bound state solutions of the double delta-function potential well, which will be in the form x (x > a), Ae , B(e x + e x ), (a < x < a), (x) = x Ae , (x < a). as follows: (a) Sketch the even wave function. (b) Using the continuity condition for (x) at x = a, solve for the constant A in terms of B.
2m (a) , combined with the result from (c) Using the discontinuous derivative at a d dx = h 2 part (b), eliminate the constant B. Simplify the expression to be in the form e2 a = constant 1. h . Plot both sides of the equation as a function (d) Write the equation in terms of z = 2 a, c 2am of z. How many even bound states are there?
2

(e) Find the allowed energies, for = h 2 /ma and for = h 2 /4ma, given the solution to the 1 z 1 is z = 2.21772 and the solution to ez = 2z 1 is z = transcendental equation ez = 2 0.738835.

73

74

The nite square well

Bound states (E < 0)

Step 1: Solve the Schrdinger equation for all regions

75

Step 2: Apply boundary conditions such that and d /dx are continuous at a and a. Note: V (x) is even wave functions are either even or odd. Therefore, we only need to impose conditions on one side, and use (x) = (x) for the other side.

76

We divide equations (2) and (1) to get

This equation gives you the formula for the allowed energies (remember that k l 2m(E + V0 )/h . One can solve this equation numerically. First, we change variables:

2mE /h and

The equation

is a transcendental equation for z (and hence E ) as a function of z0 (which is a measure of the size of the well). It can be solved numerically, using a computer, or graphically, by plotting tan z and (z/z0 )2 1 on the same grid and looking for points of intersection:

77

There are two limiting cases of special interest: A. Wide, deep well:

If z0 is very large, the intersections occur just slightly below zn = n /2, with n odd. Using z = la zn ,

But E + V0 is the energy above the bottom of the well, and the right hand side is precisely the innite square well energies for a well of width 2a and odd n. (The other energies come from the odd functions, as you will nd.) B. Shallow, narrow well:

As z0 decreases, there are fewer and fewer bound states, until nally for z0 < /2, where the lowest odd state disappears, only one remains. Note there is always one bound state, no matter how weak V0 or how short a becomes (remember solution to the delta function potential). Step 3. Normalize (Find D and F ) (Homework). Simulations: A. Wide, deep well: innite square well as V0 B. Shallow, narrow well: only one bound state as V0 0 or a 0 (delta function)

78