Wavefunction in a delta potential well

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on deriving the wave function for a particle in a periodic delta function potential, specifically showing that it can be expressed as ψ(x) = C[sin(kx) + e^{-iKa}sin(k(a-x))] for 0 ≤ x ≤ a. Participants share their attempts, including evaluating the wave function at boundaries and using sine identities, but face challenges in simplifying the expressions. A suggestion is made to multiply ψ(x) by sin(ka)/sin(ka) to facilitate the derivation. Despite various approaches, participants express frustration over not achieving a clean solution and seek further guidance on alternative methods. The conversation highlights the complexities involved in solving quantum mechanics problems related to delta potentials.
1v1Dota2RightMeow
Messages
75
Reaction score
7

Homework Statement


Using the equations given, show that the wave function for a particle in the periodic delta function potential can be written in the form

##\psi (x) = C[\sin(kx) + e^{-iKa}\sin k(a-x)], \quad 0 \leq x \leq a##

Homework Equations


Given equations:

##\psi (x) =A\sin(kx) + B\cos(kx), \quad 0<x<a##
##A\sin(ka) = [e^{iKa} - \cos(ka)]B##

Note that ##k## and ##K## are different constants.

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried a bunch of stuff already but I can't seem to get to the answer.

Attempt 1. I evaluated ##\psi## at ##0## and at ##a## for both the final equation and the general equation and tried to see if I could come to some conclusion based on equating these, but no luck there.

Attempt 2. I tried working backwards and seeing if I could use the sine identity ##\sin(a-b) = \sin(a)\cos(b)-\cos(a)\sin(b)## but it only seems to make things more complicated.

Could someone just give me a hint?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Try multiplying ##\psi(x)## by ##\frac{\sin ka}{\sin ka}##.
 
vela said:
Try multiplying ##\psi(x)## by ##\frac{\sin ka}{\sin ka}##.
I see 3 ways to do something with what you've suggested. Here is one attempt:

##\psi(x) = \frac{Asin(kx)sin(ka)+Bcos(kx)sin(ka)}{sin(ka)}##
##=Asin(kx) + \frac{B[(1/2)(sin(ka+kx)+sin(ka-kx))]}{sin(ka)}##
##=Asin(kx)+\frac{A}{2(e^{iKa}-cos(ka))}[sin(ka+kx)+sin(ka-kx)]##
##=Asin(kx)+\frac{e^{-iKa}A}{2(1-e^{-iKa}cos(ka))}[sin(ka+kx)+sin(ka-kx)]##

This would almost be great if it weren't for that ##sin(ka+kx)## term. I don't know what to do with it.
 
There's a reason I said to multiply ##\psi## by ##\frac{\sin ka}{\sin ka}## rather than just the last term. See what you can do with the first term.
 
vela said:
There's a reason I said to multiply ##\psi## by ##\frac{\sin ka}{\sin ka}## rather than just the last term. See what you can do with the first term.
I expanded it out to this, but nothing cancels nicely.

##\psi (x) = \frac{A(sin(kx)sin(ka)-cos(kx)cos(ka))}{sin(ka)}+\frac{B((1/2)(sin(kx)cos(ka)+cos(kx)sin(ka)-sin(kx-ka)))}{sin(ka)}##

Should I have gone a different route?
 
Thread 'Help with Time-Independent Perturbation Theory "Good" States Proof'
(Disclaimer: this is not a HW question. I am self-studying, and this felt like the type of question I've seen in this forum. If there is somewhere better for me to share this doubt, please let me know and I'll transfer it right away.) I am currently reviewing Chapter 7 of Introduction to QM by Griffiths. I have been stuck for an hour or so trying to understand the last paragraph of this proof (pls check the attached file). It claims that we can express Ψ_{γ}(0) as a linear combination of...
Back
Top