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Properties of One Dimensional Motion

1) The document discusses the properties of one dimensional motion based on quantum mechanics and the Schrodinger equation. 2) It describes how the energy spectrum can be discrete for bound states where the particle is confined to a region, or continuous for unbound states where the particle is not confined. 3) Mixed spectra can occur for potentials that confine the particle for some energies but not others, giving both discrete and continuous parts of the spectrum.

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Fahad Mirza
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214 views

Properties of One Dimensional Motion

1) The document discusses the properties of one dimensional motion based on quantum mechanics and the Schrodinger equation. 2) It describes how the energy spectrum can be discrete for bound states where the particle is confined to a region, or continuous for unbound states where the particle is not confined. 3) Mixed spectra can occur for potentials that confine the particle for some energies but not others, giving both discrete and continuous parts of the spectrum.

Uploaded by

Fahad Mirza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Topic:

“Properties of one dimensional motion”


 Quantum Mechanics in one dimensional:
Following the rules of quantum mechanics, we have seen that the state
of a quantum particle, subject to a scalar potential V (r), is described
by the time-dependent Schrodinger equation,

Where

Denotes the Hamiltonian. To explore its properties, we will first


review some simple and hopefully, familiar applications of the
equation to one dimensional systems. In addressing the one
dimensional geometry, we will divide our consideration between
potentials, v(x) which leave the particle free (i.e unbound) and those
that bind the particle to some region of space.
 Properties of one dimensional motion:
To study the dynamic properties of a single particle moving in a one-
dimensional potential, let us consider a potential V(x) that is general
enough to allow for the illustration of all the desired features. One
such potential is displayed in Figure (1); it is finite at x , V(-∞)=
and V(+∞)= with smaller than , and it has a minimum .
In particular, we ant to study the conditions under which discrete and
continuous spectra occur. As the character of the states is completely
determined by the size of the system’s energy, we will be considering
separately the cases where the energy is smaller and larger than the
potential.
 Discrete spectrum (Bound state):
Consider a particle moving in the one dimensional motion shown in
figure (1).

When the particle is bound (confined) in a particular region of space


then the energy spectrum will be discrete.
 Discrete spectrum (Bound state):

In the diagram bound state will occure if the total energy is less than

i.e <E<
There must be minimum in V for bound states to occure and E >
If the energy is E as shown then classical there are two turning points
at and .
 Continuous spectrum (Unbound state):

If the motion is not confined then we say that system is unbounded


and the energy spectrum is continuous.
Typical example: Free particle
From fig. (1)
• If < E < :
1) The particle is unbound towards x=-∞ but will have a turning
point at .
2) Energy spectrum will be continuous.
3) Energies will be degenerate.
4) Physical acceptable solution will be rapidly decaying for x > .
 Continuous spectrum (Unbound state):
• If E > :
1) Motion is unbounded in both directions.
2) Energy spectrum is continuous.
3) All energy levels are doubly-degenerate.
General solution is a linear combination of two independent
oscillatory solutions, one moving to left and one moving to right.
 Mixed spectrum:
Potentials such as example figure (1) that confine the particle for
some energies only give rise to mixed spectra (some bound discrete
states does not belong to unbound continuous states).
Example:
Finite square well potential
 Symmetric potential and parity:
A symmetric potential is even w.r.t inversion

If is even than

Even operators commute with the parity operator and will have a
common eigen-basis.
 Non-degenerate system:
If eigenvalues of ‘H’ are non degenerate (bound states). Then the
bound eigen states of a particle moving in a one dimensional
symmetric potential have definite parity they are either even or odd.

Here ‘-’ shows odd and ‘+’ shows even.


 Degenerate spectrum:
If the spectrum of the Hamiltonian corresponding to a symmetric
potential is degenerate the eigen-states are expressed as a
combination of even and odd states. They do not have definite parity.

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