Chapter 8: Q12P (page 335)
Use the WKB approximation to find the bound state energy for the potential in problem .
Short Answer
The bound state energy for the potential of E is,
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Chapter 8: Q12P (page 335)
Use the WKB approximation to find the bound state energy for the potential in problem .
The bound state energy for the potential of E is,
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Question:
An illuminating alternative derivation of the WKB formula (Equation) is based on an expansion in powers of. Motivated by the free particle wave function ,, we write
Wheref(x)is some complex function. (Note that there is no loss of generality here-any nonzero function can be written in this way.)
(a) Put this into Schrödinger's equation (in the form of Equation8.1), and show that
.
(b) Write f(x)as a power series in:
And, collecting like powers of, show that
(c) Solve forand, and show that-to first order inyou recover Equation8.10.
Analyze the bouncing ball (Problem 8.5) using the WKB approximation.
(a) Find the allowed energies, , in terms of , and .
(b) Now put in the particular values given in Problem8.5 (c), and compare the WKB approximation to the first four energies with the "exact" results.
(c) About how large would the quantum number n have to be to give the ball an average height of, say, 1 meter above the ground?
For spherically symmetrical potentials we can apply the WKB approximation to the radial part (Equation 4.37). In the case it is reasonable 15to use Equation 8.47in the form
Where is the turning point (in effect, we treat as an infinite wall). Exploit this formula to estimate the allowed energies of a particle in the logarithmic potential.
(for constant and ). Treat only the case . Show that the spacing between the levels is independent of mass
Use equation 8.22 calculate the approximate transmission probability for a particle of energy E that encounters a finite square barrier of height V0 > E and width 2a. Compare your answer with the exact result to which it should reduce in the WKB regime T << 1.
Use appropriate connection formulas to analyze the problem of scattering from a barrier with sloping walls (Figurea).
Hint: Begin by writing the WKB wave function in the form
Do not assume C=0 . Calculate the tunneling probability, , and show that your result reduces to Equation 8.22 in the case of a broad, high barrier.
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