CH 2: Time-independent Schrödinger equation

Scattering state solutions to the delta function potential

Now we are dealing the Scattering states (𝐸 > 0).

Away from 𝑥 = 0 , there is no potential here 𝑉 (𝑥 ) = 0 . Then for 𝑥 < 0 the Schrödinger equation
reads
0
ℏ2 𝑑 2 𝜓 ⏞
− + 𝑉 (𝑥 ) 𝜓 = 𝐸𝜓
2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑2𝜓 2𝑚𝐸
2
=− 2 𝜓
𝑑𝑥 ℏ

𝑑2𝜓 2
√2𝑚𝐸
= −𝑘 𝜓 , where 𝑘 ≡ is real and positive
𝑑𝑥 2 ℏ

The general solution is

𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥

But this time we cannot rule out either term, since neither of them blows up.

Similarly, for 𝑥 > 0,

𝜓(𝑥) = 𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 + 𝐺𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥

So we have

𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 (𝑥 < 0)

𝜓(𝑥 ) = { 𝑖𝑘𝑥
𝐹𝑒 + 𝐺𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 (𝑥 > 0)

The continuity of wavefunction 𝜓(𝑥) at 𝑥 = 0 requires that

lim 𝜓(𝑥 ) = lim+ 𝜓(𝑥)

𝑥→0− 𝑥→0

𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘(0) + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘(0) = 𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘(0) + 𝐺𝑒 −𝑖𝑘(0)

∴ 𝐴+𝐵 =𝐹+𝐺

for 𝑥 < 0, the first derivatives 𝑑𝜓⁄𝑑𝑥 are

𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 → 𝑑𝜓⁄𝑑𝑥 = 𝑖𝑘(𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 − 𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 )

And for 𝑥 > 0

𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 + 𝐺𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 → 𝑑𝜓⁄𝑑𝑥 = 𝑖𝑘(𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 − 𝐺𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 )

53
CH 2: Time-independent Schrödinger equation

𝑑𝜓(𝑥 ) 𝑖𝑘(𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 − 𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 ) for (𝑥 < 0)

∴ ={
𝑑𝑥 𝑖𝑘(𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 − 𝐺𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 ) for (𝑥 > 0)

for 𝑥 < 0

𝑑𝜓⁄𝑑𝑥 |0 = 𝑖𝑘(𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘(0) − 𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘(0) )

∴ 𝑑𝜓⁄𝑑𝑥|0 = 𝑖𝑘(𝐴 − 𝐵)

for 𝑥 > 0

𝑑𝜓⁄𝑑𝑥 |0 = 𝑖𝑘(𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘(0) − 𝐺𝑒 −𝑖𝑘(0) )

∴ 𝑑𝜓⁄𝑑𝑥|0 = 𝑖𝑘(𝐹 − 𝐺 )

the second boundary condition

𝑑𝜓 𝑑𝜓 𝑑𝜓 2𝑚𝛼
Δ( ) ≡ lim ( | − | ) = − 2 𝜓 (0 )
𝑑𝑥 𝜖→0 𝑑𝑥 +𝜖 𝑑𝑥 −𝜖 ℏ

then

𝑑𝜓 𝑑𝜓 𝑑𝜓
Δ( ) ≡ lim ( | − | ) = 𝑖𝑘(𝐹 − 𝐺 ) − 𝑖𝑘(𝐴 − 𝐵) = 𝑖𝑘 (𝐹 − 𝐺 − 𝐴 + 𝐵)
𝑑𝑥 𝜖→0 𝑑𝑥 +𝜖 𝑑𝑥 −𝜖

Meanwhile, the wavefunction 𝜓 (𝑥 ) at 𝑥 = 0

𝜓 (0) = 𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘(0) + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘(0) = 𝐴 + 𝐵

𝑑𝜓 2𝑚𝛼
∴ Δ( ) = 𝑖𝑘(𝐹 − 𝐺 − 𝐴 + 𝐵) = − 2 (𝐴 + 𝐵)
𝑑𝑥 ℏ
2𝑚𝛼
∴ 𝑖 (𝐹 − 𝐺 − 𝐴 + 𝐵 ) = − (𝐴 + 𝐵 )
ℏ2 𝑘
𝑚𝛼
Assume 𝛽 ≡ ℏ2𝑘 then

𝑖 (𝐹 − 𝐺 − 𝐴 + 𝐵) = −2𝛽(𝐴 + 𝐵)

−2𝑖𝛽𝐴 2𝑖𝛽𝐵
𝐹−𝐺−𝐴+𝐵 = −
𝑖×𝑖 𝑖×𝑖
𝐹 − 𝐺 = +2𝑖𝛽𝐴 + 2𝑖𝛽𝐵 + 𝐴 − 𝐵

𝐹 − 𝐺 = 𝐴(1 + 2𝑖𝛽 ) − 𝐵(1 − 2𝑖𝛽 )

Interpretation of the solution

54
CH 2: Time-independent Schrödinger equation

Having imposed both boundary conditions, we are left with two equations, they are

𝐴+𝐵 =𝐹+𝐺
𝑚𝛼
𝐹 − 𝐺 = 𝐴(1 + 2𝑖𝛽 ) − 𝐵(1 − 2𝑖𝛽 ), where 𝛽 ≡
ℏ2 𝑘

in four unknown (𝐴. 𝐵, 𝐹, 𝐺) and five if we count 𝑘. Normalization won’t help, since this is not a
normalizable state. Perhaps we’d better pause, then, and examine the physical significance of
these various constants.

Recall that 𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 give rise [when coupled with time-dependent factor 𝜙 (𝑡) = exp(−𝑖𝐸𝑡⁄ℏ)] to a
wave function propagating to the right, and that 𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 leads to a wave propagating to the left. It
follows that 𝐴 in equation

𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥

is the amplitude of a wave coming in from left, while 𝐵 is the amplitude of a wave returning to
the left.

In equation

𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 + 𝐺𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥

𝐹 is the amplitude of wave traveling off to the right, and 𝐺

is the amplitude of wave coming in from the right (see
figure).

In typical scattering experiment particles are fired in from

one direction – let’s say, from the left. In this case the
amplitude of the wave coming in from the right will be zero:

𝐺 = 0 (for scattering from the left)

This means that 𝐴 is the amplitude of the incident wave, and 𝐵 is the amplitude of the reflected
wave, while 𝐹 is the amplitude of the transmitted wave. Solving equation

𝐴+𝐵 = 𝐹+𝐺

and equation
𝑚𝛼
𝐹 − 𝐺 = 𝐴(1 + 2𝑖𝛽 ) − 𝐵(1 − 2𝑖𝛽 ), where 𝛽 ≡
ℏ2 𝑘

for 𝐵, 𝐹 in terms of 𝐴 [Recall 𝐺 = 0]

55
CH 2: Time-independent Schrödinger equation

∴𝐹 =𝐴+𝐵

∴ 𝐹 = 𝐴(1 + 2𝑖𝛽 ) − 𝐵 (1 − 2𝑖𝛽 )

Equating the equations

𝐴 + 𝐵 = 𝐴 + 2𝑖𝛽𝐴 − 𝐵 + 2𝑖𝛽𝐵

2𝐵 = 2𝑖𝛽𝐴 + 2𝑖𝛽𝐵

𝐵 = 𝑖𝛽𝐴 + 𝑖𝛽𝐵

𝐵(1 − 𝑖𝛽 ) = 𝑖𝛽𝐴

𝑖𝛽
∴𝐵= 𝐴
1 − 𝑖𝛽

𝐹 = 𝐴+𝐵

𝑖𝛽 𝑖𝛽 1 − 𝑖𝛽 + 𝑖𝛽
∴𝐹 =𝐴+𝐵 =𝐴+ 𝐴 = (1 + )𝐴 = ( )𝐴
1 − 𝑖𝛽 1 − 𝑖𝛽 1 − 𝑖𝛽

1
∴𝐹= 𝐴
1 − 𝑖𝛽

Now, the probability of finding the particle at a specified location is given by |Ψ|2 . So the relative
probability (Reflection coefficient 𝑹) that incident particle will be reflected back is
𝑖𝛽
𝐵 = 1−𝑖𝛽 𝐴

2
𝑖𝛽
|𝐵 |2 |1 − 𝑖𝛽 𝐴| 𝛽2
𝑅≡ = =
|𝐴 |2 |𝐴 |2 1 + 𝛽2

𝑚𝛼 √2𝑚𝐸 𝑚𝛼ℏ
𝛽= 2
and 𝑘 = ⟹ 𝛽=
ℏ 𝑘 ℏ ℏ2 √2𝑚𝐸

2
𝑚2 𝛼 2 𝑚𝛼 2
𝛽 = 2 =
ℏ 2𝑚𝐸 2ℏ2 𝐸
𝛽2 1 1
∴ 𝑅= = =
2 1 2
1+𝛽 1 + 2 1 + 2ℏ 𝐸
𝛽 𝑚𝛼 2

The relative probability of transmission is given by the transmission coefficient 𝑇 defined as sum
of 𝑅 and 𝑇 has to be 1.

56
CH 2: Time-independent Schrödinger equation

𝑅+𝑇=1
1
𝐹 = 1−𝑖𝛽 𝐴

2
1
|𝐹 |2 | 𝐴| 1 1
1 − 𝑖𝛽
𝑇≡ = = =
|𝐴 | 2 |𝐴 | 2 1 + 𝛽2 𝑚𝛼 2
1+ 2
2ℏ 𝐸

The higher the energy, the greater is the probability of

transmission, which certainly seems reasonable.

Now, as we already know, the solution to the problem that our stationary states are not
normalizable. We must form normalizable linear combinations of stationary states as we did for
the free particle.

The true physical particles are represented by the wave packets (involving range of energies), 𝑅
and 𝑇 are then interpreted as approximate reflection and transmission coefficients for particles
with energies in the vicinity of 𝐸.

Let’s look briefly at the case of a delta – function (above figure). If we change the sign of 𝛼 the
bound state is killed while the reflection and transmission coefficients which depend only on 𝛼 2
are unchanged.

Classically, a particle cannot make a pass through the barrier as to cross over the well, regardless
of its energy.

If 𝐸 > 𝑉max , then 𝑇 = 1 and 𝑅 = 0, the particle certainly makes it over.

If 𝐸 < 𝑉max , then 𝑇 = 0 and 𝑅 = 1, the particle returns the way it came.

Quantum scattering problems are much richer; since the particle has some nonzero probability
of passing through the potential even if 𝐸 < 𝑉max .

We call this phenomenon tunneling; it is the mechanism that makes possible much of modern
electronics.

Conversely, even 𝐸 > 𝑉max , there is a possibility that the particle will bounce back.

57
CH 2: Time-independent Schrödinger equation

2.6: The finite square well

Consider the finite square well potential

−𝑉 for − 𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑎
𝑉 (𝑥 ) = { 0
0 for |𝑥| > 𝑎

where 𝑉0 is a positive constant. Just like delta-function well,

this potential admits both bound states with energy 𝐸 < 0, and scattering states with 𝐸 > 0.
We’ll look first at the bound states.

Bound State 𝑬 < 𝟎

Step 1: Solve Schrödinger equation for all regions

In the region 𝑥 < −𝑎, the potential is zero 𝑉 (𝑥 ) = 0 , so the Schrödinger equation reads
0
ℏ2 𝑑 2 𝜓
− 2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2 + 𝑉⏞
(𝑥 ) 𝜓 = 𝐸𝜓

ℏ2 𝑑 2 𝜓
− = 𝐸𝜓
2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑2𝜓 2𝑚𝐸
2
=− 2 𝜓
𝑑𝑥 ℏ
𝑑2 𝜓 √−2𝑚𝐸
= 𝜅 2 𝜓 where 𝜅 ≡ is real positive (𝐸 < 0)
𝑑𝑥 2 ℏ

The general solution is

𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐴𝑒 −𝜅𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 𝜅𝑥

but the first term 𝐴𝑒 −𝜅𝑥 blows up as 𝑥 → −∞, thus as before and the physically solution is

𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐵𝑒 𝜅𝑥 for 𝑥 < −𝑎

Now, in the region −𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝑎, 𝑉 (𝑥 ) = −𝑉0 the Schrödinger equation reads

ℏ2 𝑑 2 𝜓
− 2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2 − 𝑉0 𝜓 = 𝐸𝜓

ℏ2 𝑑 2 𝜓
− = 𝐸𝜓 + 𝑉0 𝜓
2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑2𝜓 2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 )
= − 𝜓
𝑑𝑥 2 ℏ2

58
CH 2: Time-independent Schrödinger equation

𝑑2𝜓 2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 )
= − 𝜓
𝑑𝑥 2 ℏ2
𝑑2 𝜓 √2𝑚 (𝐸+𝑉0 )
= −𝑙 2 𝜓 where 𝑙 ≡ is real positive (𝐸 > 𝑉min )
𝑑𝑥 2 ℏ

Although 𝐸 is negative for the bound states, it must be greater than ( −𝑉0 ), by the old
theorem (𝐸 > 𝑉min ), so 𝑙 is also real and positive. The general solution is

𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐶𝑒 𝑖𝑙𝑥 + 𝐷𝑒 −𝑖𝑙𝑥

where 𝐶 and 𝐷 are arbitrary constants. But we will use sines and cosines to distinguish even and
odd solutions. The cosine is even and the sine is odd.

𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐶 sin(𝑙𝑥 ) + 𝐷 cos(𝑙𝑥) for − 𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝑎

Finally, in the region 𝑥 > 𝑎, the potential 𝑉 (𝑥 ) is again zero

0
ℏ2 𝑑 2 𝜓
− 2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2 + 𝑉⏞
(𝑥 ) 𝜓 = 𝐸𝜓

ℏ2 𝑑 2 𝜓
− = 𝐸𝜓
2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2

𝑑2𝜓 2𝑚𝐸
2
=− 2 𝜓
𝑑𝑥 ℏ
𝑑2 𝜓 √−2𝑚𝐸
= 𝜅 2 𝜓 where 𝜅 ≡
𝑑𝑥 2 ℏ

and the general solution is

𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐹𝑒 −𝑖𝜅𝑥 + 𝐺𝑒 𝑖𝜅𝑥

but the second term 𝐺𝑒 𝑖𝜅𝑥 blows up as 𝑥 → ∞, so we are left with

𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐹𝑒 −𝑖𝜅𝑥 for 𝑥 > 𝑎

So,

𝐹𝑒 −𝑖𝜅𝑥 for 𝑥 > 𝑎

( ) { ( ) ( )
∴ 𝜓 𝑥 = 𝐶 sin 𝑙𝑥 + 𝐷 cos 𝑙𝑥 for − 𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝑎
𝐵𝑒 𝑖𝜅𝑥 for 𝑥 < −𝑎

√−2𝑚𝐸 √2𝑚(𝐸+𝑉0 )
where 𝜅 ≡ and 𝑙 ≡
ℏ ℏ

Step 2: Apply boundary conditions that 𝜓 and 𝑑𝜓⁄𝑑𝑥 are continuous at 𝑎 and (−𝑎).

59
CH 2: Time-independent Schrödinger equation

But we can save a little time by noting that this potential 𝑉 (𝑥) is an even function so we can
assume with no loss of generality that the solutions are either even or odd. The advantage , we
only need to impose conditions on one side (say, at +𝑎), and the
other side is then automatic, since

𝜓(−𝑥 ) = ±𝜓(𝑥 )

We are working out the even solutions, so we looking for

solutions of the form

𝐹𝑒 −𝜅𝑥 , for 𝑥 > 0

𝜓(𝑥 ) = {𝐷 cos(𝑙𝑥 ), for 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑎
𝐹𝑒 +𝜅𝑥 , for 𝑥 < 0

(1) The continuity of wavefunction 𝜓(𝑥) , at 𝑥 = 𝑎 , says

𝐹𝑒 −𝜅𝑎 = 𝐷 cos(𝑙𝑎)

(2) the continuity of 𝑑𝜓⁄𝑑𝑥 , says

−𝜅 𝐹𝑒 −𝜅𝑎 = −𝑙 𝐷 sin(𝑙𝑎)

𝜅 𝐹𝑒 −𝜅𝑎 = 𝑙 𝐷 sin(𝑙𝑎)

We divide

𝜅 𝐹𝑒 −𝜅𝑎 𝑙 𝐷 sin(𝑙𝑎)
=
𝐹 𝑒 −𝜅𝑎 𝐷 cos(𝑙𝑎)

𝜅 = 𝑙 tan(𝑙𝑎)

√−2𝑚𝐸 √2𝑚(𝐸+𝑉0 )
This equation gives us formula for allowed energies, since that 𝜅 = and 𝑙 ≡ are
ℏ ℏ
both functions of 𝐸

Step 3: Normalize 𝜓 (Find 𝐷 and 𝐹) Problem 2.30 Page 83

Scattering states 𝐸 > 0 , to the left where 𝑥 < −𝑎 , the 𝑉 (𝑥 ) = 0 we have

0
ℏ2 𝑑 2 𝜓
− 2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2 + 𝑉⏞
(𝑥 ) 𝜓 = 𝐸𝜓

ℏ2 𝑑 2 𝜓
− = 𝐸𝜓
2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑2𝜓 2𝑚𝐸
2
=− 2 𝜓
𝑑𝑥 ℏ
60
CH 2: Time-independent Schrödinger equation

√2𝑚𝐸
We introduce 𝑘 ≡ such that 𝐸 > 0, then above equation becomes
ℏ

𝑑2 𝜓
= −𝑘 2 𝜓
𝑑𝑥 2

√2𝑚𝐸
𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 where 𝑘 ≡ for 𝑥 < −𝑎
ℏ
Inside the well at −𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝑎 , we have 𝑉 (𝑥 ) = −𝑉0

ℏ2 𝑑 2 𝜓
− 2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2 − 𝑉0 𝜓 = 𝐸𝜓

ℏ2 𝑑 2 𝜓
− = 𝐸𝜓 + 𝑉0 𝜓
2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2

𝑑2𝜓 2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 )
= − 𝜓
𝑑𝑥 2 ℏ2
𝑑2𝜓 2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 )
= − 𝜓
𝑑𝑥 2 ℏ2
𝑑2𝜓
= −𝑙 2 𝜓
𝑑𝑥 2

√2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 )
𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐶 sin(𝑙𝑥 ) + 𝐷 cos(𝑙𝑥) ; where 𝑙 ≡
ℏ

Finally, in the region 𝑥 > 𝑎, the potential 𝑉 (𝑥 ) is again zero

0
ℏ2 𝑑 2 𝜓
− 2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2 + 𝑉⏞
(𝑥 ) 𝜓 = 𝐸𝜓

ℏ2 𝑑 2 𝜓
− = 𝐸𝜓
2𝑚 𝑑𝑥 2
𝑑2𝜓 2𝑚𝐸
= − 𝜓
𝑑𝑥 2 ℏ2
𝑑2 𝜓 √−2𝑚𝐸
= −𝑘 2 𝜓 where 𝑘 ≡
𝑑𝑥 2 ℏ

The solution is

𝜓(𝑥) = 𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 + 𝐺𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥

Assuming there is no incoming wave to the right region (𝐺 = 0), we have

61
CH 2: Time-independent Schrödinger equation

𝜓(𝑥 ) = 𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥

𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 for 𝑥 > 𝑎

∴ 𝜓(𝑥 ) = {𝐶 sin(𝑙𝑥) + 𝐷 cos(𝑙𝑥 ) for − 𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝑎
𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 for 𝑥 < −𝑎

In those equations 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐹 represent incident amplitude (from the left), reflected amplitude
and transmitted amplitude, respectively.

𝑑𝜓 𝑖𝑘𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 for 𝑥 > 𝑎

= {𝐶 𝑙 cos(𝑙𝑥 ) − 𝐷 𝑙 sin(𝑙𝑥 ) for − 𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝑎
𝑑𝑥
𝑖𝑘𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 − 𝑖𝑘𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 for 𝑥 < −𝑎

(1) Continuity of 𝜓(𝑥 ) at 𝑥 = −𝑎 says

𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 + 𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 = 𝐶 sin(𝑙𝑥 ) + 𝐷 cos(𝑙𝑥 ) → 𝐴𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑎 + 𝐵𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑎 = 𝐶 sin(−𝑙𝑎) + 𝐷 cos(−𝑙𝑎)

∴ 𝐴𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑎 + 𝐵𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑎 = −𝐶 sin(𝑙𝑎) + 𝐷 cos(𝑙𝑎)

(2) Continuity of 𝜓(𝑥 ) at (𝑥 = +𝑎) yields

𝐶 sin(𝑙𝑎) + 𝐷 cos(𝑙𝑎) = 𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑎

(3) Continuity of 𝑑𝜓⁄𝑑𝑥 at (𝑥 = −𝑎) gives

𝑖𝑘𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥 − 𝑖𝑘𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑥 = 𝐶 𝑙 cos(𝑙𝑥 ) − 𝐷 𝑙 sin(𝑙𝑥 ) →

𝑖𝑘𝐴𝑒 𝑖𝑘(−𝑎) − 𝑖𝑘𝐵𝑒 −𝑖𝑘(−𝑎) = 𝐶 𝑙 cos(−𝑙𝑎) − 𝐷 𝑙 sin(−𝑙𝑎)

𝑖𝑘[𝐴𝑒 −𝑖𝑘𝑎 − 𝐵𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑎 ] = 𝑙[𝐶 cos 𝑎 + 𝐷 sin(𝑙𝑎)]

(4) Continuity of 𝑑𝜓⁄𝑑𝑥 at (𝑥 = +𝑎) requires

𝐶 𝑙 cos(𝑙𝑥 ) − 𝐷 𝑙 sin(𝑙𝑥 ) = 𝑖𝑘𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑥

𝑙[𝐶 cos(𝑙𝑎) − 𝐷 sin(𝑙𝑎)] = 𝑖𝑘𝐹𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑎

We can use (1) and (3) to eliminate 𝐶 and 𝐷 , and solve the remaining for 𝐵 and 𝐹. (see the
solution of problem 2.32 page 83)

sin(2𝑙𝑎) 2
𝐵=𝑖 (𝑙 − 𝑘 2 )𝐹
2𝑘𝑙

𝑒 −2𝑖𝑙𝑎 𝐴
𝐹=
(𝑘 2 + 𝑙 2 )
cos(2𝑙𝑎) − 𝑖 2𝑘𝑙 sin(2𝑙𝑎)

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CH 2: Time-independent Schrödinger equation

Transmission coefficient is given by

|𝐹 |2
𝑇=
|𝐴 |2

expressed in terms of the original variables

−1
𝑉02 2𝑎
𝑇 =1+ sin2 [ √2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 )]
4𝐸 (𝐸 + 𝑉0 ) ℏ

Notice that 𝑇 = 1, the well becomes transparent whenever the sine is zero , which is to say
when

2𝑎
√2𝑚(𝐸 + 𝑉0 ) = 𝑛𝜋
ℏ

where 𝑛 is any integer. The energies for perfect transmission, then, are given by

𝑛2 𝜋 2 ℏ2
𝐸𝑛 + 𝑉0 =
2𝑚(2𝑎)2

which happen to be precisely the allowed energies for the infinite square well.

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