Wave Eq 2
Uploaded by
nithila bhaskerWave Eq 2
Uploaded by
nithila bhaskerEngineering Physics
Course Code: BPHY101L; Course Type: Theory Only (TH)
Jitendra K. Behera (PhD)
Assistant Professor Gr-II
[email protected]
Office: #121-E, PRP
Module-4
Application of Quantum Physics
Syllabus
Eigenvalues and eigenfunction of a particle confined in a one-dimensional
box - Basics of nanophysics - Quantum confinement and nanostructures -
Tunnel effect (qualitative) and scanning tunneling microscope.
Reference Books:
1. H. D. Young and R. A. Freedman, University Physics with Modern
Physics, 2020, 15th Edition, Pearson, USA., Section 41.1 to 41.3, Page
No: 1360-1365
2. Concepts of Modern Physics; Sixth Edition; Arthur Beiser
3. Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Mosses, Curt A. Moyer Modern Physics,
2010, 3rd Indian Edition Cengage learning.
Dr JB: BPHY101L School of Physics,VIT Vellore
Particle in a 1-Dimensional Potential Box
Lets consider a particle is trapped in a one
dimensional infinite potential box of length L
Our aim is to understand the properties of the
particle by using Schrödinger Wave Equation to
describe its :
• Energy K.E = 0 K.E = 0
• Wavefunction ψ= 0 ψ= 0
• Probability density
As the potential is only position-dependent, so we
can apply the time-independent Schrödinger Wave
Equation, here, and we know that the equation is:
Hψ(x) = Eψ(x) (i) at, x = 0, ψ = 0 (ii) at, x = L, ψ = 0
ℏ2 ∂2
[− + V]ψ(x) = Eψ(x)
2m ∂x 2
Dr JB: BPHY101L School of Physics,VIT Vellore
Particle in a 1-Dimensional Potential Box
ℏ2 ∂2
[− + V]ψ(x) = Eψ(x)
2m ∂x 2
(i) at, x = 0, ψ = 0 (ii) at, x = L, ψ = 0
∂2ψ(x) 2m
+ 2 (E − V) ψ(x) = 0
∂x 2 ℏ Let’s apply the Boundary conditions (i):
For particle,
V(x) = 0 (i) at, x = 0, ψ = 0
∂2ψ(x) 2mE
= − 2 ψ(x) ψ = A sin(kx) + B cos(kx)
∂x 2 ℏ
ψ = 0 + B cos(0) 0= 0+ B
∂2ψ(x) 2 2mE
= − k ψ(x) ∴k=
ℏ2 B= 0
∂x 2
2 So the wave function reduced to:
∂ ψ(x)
∂x 2
+ k2
ψ(x) = 0 ψ = A sin(kx)
Let’s apply the Boundary conditions (ii):
it is second order partial differential equation, (ii) at, x = L, ψ = 0
and the possible solution for the equation is:
ψ = A sin(kx) = A sin(kL) = 0
kL = nπ . . . . . n= 1, 2, 3..
where, A & B are constant
Dr JB: BPHY101L School of Physics,VIT Vellore
Particle in a 1-Dimensional Potential Box
We got energy of that trapped article, lets
so now we have:
Let’s find its wave function(i):
2mE
∴k= kL = nπ ψ = A sin(kx) & kL = nπ
ℏ2 we know that:
Now apply the normalization to the wave
nπ 2mE n2π 2 2mE function:
= = L L
L ℏ2
∫0 ∫0
L 2 ℏ2 ψ * ψ dx = | ψ |2 dx = 1
n2π 2ℏ2 n2π 2ℏ2
= E E= L L
2mL 2 nπx 2 2 nπx
∫0 ( )) dx = ∫ A sin (
2mL 2
A sin( 2
) dx = 1
L 0 L
2 2 2 A2 L
nπ h
2 ∫0
E= (1 − cos2(kx)) dx = 1
8mL 2
A2 2
2 2 2 [[L]L − [0]0] = 1 A =
nπ h 2 L
En = 2 nπx
8mL 2 ψ= sin( )
L L
Dr JB: BPHY101L School of Physics,VIT Vellore
Particle in a 1-Dimensional Potential Box
so now we have energy and the wave function as :
n2π 2h 2 2 nπx
En = ψ= sin( )
8mL 2 L L
2
The probability density is defined as : P = |ψ|
2 2 nπx
P= sin ( )
L L
Dr JB: BPHY101L School of Physics,VIT Vellore
Graphical representation of E, ψ. and P
2 nπx 2
n2π 2h 2 sin( ) 2 nπx
En = ψ= P= sin ( )
8mL 2 L L L L
n=4
n=4
E n=3 E n=3
n=2 n=2
n=1 n=1
x/L x/L
E1 : E2 : E3 . . . : En = 1 : 4 : 9... : n2
Dr JB: BPHY101L School of Physics,VIT Vellore
Particle in a 3-Dimensional Potential Box
Dr JB: BPHY101L School of Physics,VIT Vellore
Facts Learn from Particle in a 1-D Potential Box
• The energy of a particle is quantized. This means it can only take on discrete energy
values.
• The lowest possible energy for a particle is NOT zero (even at 0 K).
• This means the particle always has some kinetic energy.
• The square of the wavefunction is related to the probability of finding the particle in a
specific position for a given energy level.
• In classical physics, the probability of finding the particle is independent of the
energy and the same at all points in the box
