Go to the U of M home page
School of Physics & Astronomy
School of Physics and Astronomy Wiki

User Tools


classes:2009:fall:phys4101.001:lec_notes_1026

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision
Previous revision
classes:2009:fall:phys4101.001:lec_notes_1026 [2009/10/27 10:36] x500_stans028classes:2009:fall:phys4101.001:lec_notes_1026 [2009/10/28 10:21] (current) x500_stans028
Line 19: Line 19:
   * wonderful tricks which were used in the lecture.\\   * wonderful tricks which were used in the lecture.\\
 \\ \\
 +
  
 First we re-emphasized the difference between bound states and scattering states.  From Griffiths we know that we can define bound states as those where the energy is less than zero.  Scattering states are those where the energy is greater than zero.  To illustrate the difference between bound state and scattering states we examined a few examples with which we are familiar.  For each example we determined whether bound states, scattering states, or both are possible.  Those examples and their possible states are: First we re-emphasized the difference between bound states and scattering states.  From Griffiths we know that we can define bound states as those where the energy is less than zero.  Scattering states are those where the energy is greater than zero.  To illustrate the difference between bound state and scattering states we examined a few examples with which we are familiar.  For each example we determined whether bound states, scattering states, or both are possible.  Those examples and their possible states are:
  
-*Infinite Square Well – Bound States+(A) Always bound states : toward x -> +/- <math>\infty</math>, E<V no matter how large E is 
 +  
  
-*Simple Harmonic Oscillator – Bound States 
  
-*Negative Delta Function – Both+(B) Always transmission/reflection (In 2D/3D => scattering)
  
-*Positive Delta Function – Scattering States+(C) Depends on 
  
-*Finite Square Well – Both+1. Infinite Square Well => Always Bound States (A)
  
-*Free Particle – Scattering States+2. Simple Harmonic Oscillator => Always Bound States (A)
  
-*Finite Square Barrier - Scattering States+3. Negative Delta Function (-<math>\alpha</math> *<math>\delta</math>(x)) =>(C)  
 + 
 + if E<V(+/-<math>\infty</math>)=> bound states 
 + 
 + if E>V(+/-<math>\infty</math>)=> transmission/reflection 
 + 
 +4. Positive Delta Function ( <math>\alpha</math> *<math>\delta</math>(x)) =>(B) 
 + no bound states (E> V(x)) 
 + 
 +5. Finite Square Well => (C) 
 + 
 +6. Free Particle (B) -> wave packet 
 + 
 +7. Finite Square Barrier => Scattering States
  
 *E = 0 – To be honest, I didn't understand this part of the lecture very well. *E = 0 – To be honest, I didn't understand this part of the lecture very well.
  
 Whether a particular system can have scattering states, bound states, or both depends on what happens to the potential of the system at x = ±∝.  This point is still a little unclear to me.  What does the potential do at x = ±∝ for bound states and scattering states?  For a system to have bound states the energy of a particle must be less than the potential at some point. Whether a particular system can have scattering states, bound states, or both depends on what happens to the potential of the system at x = ±∝.  This point is still a little unclear to me.  What does the potential do at x = ±∝ for bound states and scattering states?  For a system to have bound states the energy of a particle must be less than the potential at some point.
 +-------------------------------------------
  
-Next we reviewed what we have covered from chapter 3 so far.  Here are the main points we have covered thus far:+Next we reviewed what we have covered from CHAPTER 3 so far.  Here are the main points we have covered thus far:
  
 –  Quantum mechanical operators are Hermitian operators.  The eigenvalues of those Hermitian operators are real. –  Quantum mechanical operators are Hermitian operators.  The eigenvalues of those Hermitian operators are real.
 +(hermitian nature of observable real Eigenvalues exp values)
  
-– Determinate states are eigenfunctions of Hermitian operators.+– Determinate states (Eigenstates) are eigenfunctions of Hermitian operators.
  
-Next we listed the major topics from chapter 3 that we will cover in the next lecture or so.+Next we listed the major topics from chapter 3 that we will cover in the next lecture or so.
  
 – The generalized statistical interpretation of quantum mechanics. – The generalized statistical interpretation of quantum mechanics.
  
-– The uncertainty principle+– The uncertainty principle.  As it relates to chapter 3. 
 + 
 +– Momentum space.  Where Ψ(p,t) is used instead of Ψ(x,t). 
 + 
 +<math>\ f_p(x) = 1/sqrt(2*pi*hbar)*exp(i*E/hbar*x) </math> 
 + 
 +-> normalization => <math>\int f_p^* (x)*f_p(x) dx</math> = A *  <math>\delta</math> (p-p'
 +-> <math>\1/sqrt(2*pi*hbar)</math> is corresponded to the value A 
 + 
 + 
 +Finally, a question was raised concerning notation used in section 3.4 of Griffiths.  The question related to equation 3.43 on page 106. 
 + 
 +   
 +<math> c_n = <f_n|\Psi> </math>  
 + 
 +What is the difference between f<sub>n</sub> and Ψ?  It should be noted that equation 3.43 is Fourier's trick in bracket notation.   
 + 
 +f<sub>n</sub> is any function that is any stationary state wave function.  You could also think of f<sub>n</sub> as the initial state of a wave function.  
  
-–  Momentum space+Ψ is the time-dependent wave function of the system.
  
-Finally, a question was raised concerning notation used in section 3.4 of Griffiths.  The question related to equation 3.43 on page 106.  What is the difference between <math>fn<math> and Psi?  It should be noted that equation 3.43 is Fourier's trick in bracket notation.  F_n is any function that is any stationary state wave function.  You could also think of fn as the initial state of a wave function.  Psi is the time-dependent wave function of the system.+<math> \Psi(x,t) = \sum c_n * f_n(x) </math>
  
  
classes/2009/fall/phys4101.001/lec_notes_1026.1256657795.txt.gz · Last modified: 2009/10/27 10:36 by x500_stans028