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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

Chapter Two
Approximation Methods: Correction Theories
The systems that have an exact solution of S.E. are in general
virtual systems, such as potential step, potential well, ..etc. Real
systems are almost more complicated, for example; Usually oscillators
are not a simple harmonics, The presence of external forces, such as the
electromagnetic fields, will change the energy levels of an atom, The
mutual interaction between the particles in the more than one particle
system will make S.E. cant be solved and S.E. cant have an exact
solution when spin is taken into consideration. Actually, these are the
reasons for why one need the correction methods.
2-1 Time Independent None Degenerate Perturbation Theory
Rough treatment:
Assume that we have a quantum mechanical system described by S.E.

H n = E n n

But this equation can not be solved exactly as before, thus we assume that
there is a small (rough) perturbation such that;

H H o

H = Ho+ H

Where, H o Exact part and H Perturbed part

H o U n = EonU n . In order to calculate roughly the first

Remember that

order correction to Eon, the S.E. have to be solved;

H n = ( H o + H ) n = E n n

Recall that;

H 0 U n = E onU n

and

For small perturbation;

-1-

U n d = mn

*
m

Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

En Eon + E1n and n U n


Then;

H o U n + H U n E onU n + E1 nU n

H U n E1nU n

Multiply from the left by U m* and integrate over system space to get;


E1n U H U n d = ( H )nn

*
m

It is seen that, the first order correction to En is roughly the expectation

value of the perturbed energy ( H ) when the system in state Un.


Formal Treatment

Assume; H = H o + H such that 0 1 . Where is the perturbation


factor. Keeping in mind that;

= 0 Unperturbed
= 1 Full perturbed
Now expand E and in terms of as follow;
n

n = on + 1n + 2 2 n + ... = n in
i =0
n

En = Eon + E1n + 2 E2 n + ... = n Ein


i =0

Substituting the last two equations in S.E. for the perturbed system;

H n = En n

One get;

( H o + H ) ( on + 1n + 2 2 n + ......) = ( Eon + E1n + 2 E2 n + ......)


( on + 1n + 2 2 n + .....)

Rearrange the terms of same power in to get


( H o on Eon on ) + ( H on + H o 1n E1n on Eon 1n ) +

2 ( H 1n + H o 2 n E2 n on E1n 1n Eon 2n ) + 3 (........) + ....... = 0

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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

I) Zero- order correction:

( H o on Eon on ) = 0
H o on = Eon on
But;

H oU n = EonU n
So,

on = U n
II)First- order correction:

H on + H o 1n = E1n on + Eon 1n
Assume;

1n = a nkU k
k

H U n + H o a nkU k = E1nU n + Eon a nkU k


k

Multiply from the left by U m* and integrate over all the system space;

*
m

H U n d + ank Eok U m* U k d = E1n U m* U n d + Eon a nk U m* U k d


k

( H )mn + a nk Eok mk = E1n mn + Eon a nk mk


k

( H )mn + anm Eom = E1n mn + Eon anm


( H )mn + anm ( Eom Eon ) = E1 n mn

E1n = ( H ) nn

Case i)

m=n

Case ii)

m n anm = ( H )mn /( Eon Eom )

1n = a nmU m
m

= a nmU m + a nnU n
mn

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2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

H.W: Prove that ann = 0 . Hint, use the relation = on + 1n .


The matrix of H called Matrix of Perturbation;
( H )mn = U m* H U n d

( H )oo
( H )
1o
=
.....

( H )no

( H )o 1
( H )11
.....
( H )n 1

..... ( H )on
..... ( H )1n

.....
.....

..... ( H )nn

For the first order correction;

En = Eon + ( H )nn

Where E1n = ( H )nn

( H )mn
Um
m n Eon Eom

n = Un +

Where 1n =

( H ) mn
Um
on E om

m n

Obviously, the last two equation clearly reveal that;


1. First order correction to energy comes from diagonal elements of
the perturbation matrix. While, first order correction to wave
function comes from the off- diagonal elements of perturbation
matrix.
2. Depending on the denominator, states which contribute most to n
will be those for which Eom is closes to Eon.
III) Second- order correction:

H 1n + H o 2 n = E2 n on + E1n 1n + Eon 2 n
Recall that 1n = a nkU k and assume that; 2 n = bnjU j then;
k

a
k

nk

H U k + bnj H oU j = E 2 nU n + E1n a nkU k + E on bnjU j


j

Multiply from the left by U m* and integrate over all space;


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nk

2014-2015

( H )mk + bnj Eoj mj = E 2 n mn + E1n a nk mk + Eon bnj mj

nk

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

( H )mk + bnm Eom = E 2 n mn + E1n a nm + Eon bnm

Case (i): m = n
E 2 n = a nk ( H )nk E1n a nn
k

( H )kn
.( H )nk + ann ( H )nn E1n ann
k n Eon Eok

( H )nk
=
k n E on E ok

Case (ii): m n

nk

( H )mk = bnm ( E on Eom ) + E1n a nm

bnm = ank

( H )mk
E1 n
anm
Eon Eom
Eon Eom

ann = 0 and E1n = ( H )nn

bnm =

( H )kn .( H )mk
( H )mn .( H )nn

( Eon Eom )2
k n ( Eon Eok ).( Eon E om )

H.W: show that;


bnn =

1
1
2
a nk = anm

2 k n
2 mn

( H ) mn
1

2 m n ( Eon Eom ) 2

So,
2n = bnjU j =
j

bnjU j + bnnU n
j n

bnmU m + bnnU n
mn

( H ) kn .( H ) mk
( H ) mn .( H ) nn
1 ( H ) mn

( E E )( E E ) ( E E ) m 2 ( E E ) 2 U n
ok
on
om
on
om
m n k n on
on
om

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Department of Physics/College of Education

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Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

Therefore, the energy and the wave function corrected up to the secondorder are;
2

( H )nk
E n = Eon + ( H )nn +
k n ( E on E ok )

n = U on + a nmU m + bnmU m + bnnU n


mn

mn

Now without caution one may say that:


1. Second order correction to energy involves first order correction to
wave function.
2. Second order correction to energy is smaller by ( H )nk /( Eon Eok )
than the first order.
3. Perturbation wave function rapidly get very complicated.
4. In principle we have a method to proceed to higher order correction
as needed.

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Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

2-1-1 Stark Effect On Simple Harmonic Oscillator


b

V = E cos dx = Ex
a

energy = eV = eEx
2

H=

px 1
+ m 2 x 2 eEx
2m 2
2

p
1
H o = x + m 2 x 2
2m 2

and H = eEx

First order correction to energy:


E1n = ( H ) nn = eE n | x | n = zero (How?)

Second order correction:


2

( H )nk
E2 n =
k m E on E ok
+

( H )nk = eE U n* xU k dx

Recall that;
x = (2 )

( H ) nk =

eE

+
2 ( a + a )

, = m / h

+
*
U n (a + a )U k dx

eE
2

{ k

n ,k 1

+ k + 1 n ,k +1

Thus the only non- zero matrix elements of ( H )nk are those in which
k = n + 1 and k = n 1 , so;

eE 1
( H )nk =
2 0

0
2

2
0

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..... .....
..... .....

3 .....

0 .....

Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

( H )nk
E2 n =
k m E on E ok
=

e2 E 2
2

E2 n =

n +1
n
+

( h ) h

e2 E 2
2m 2

1
e2 E 2
E n = ( n + )h
2
2m 2

e 2 E 2 / 2 m 2

h
h

Hence, the effect of the perturbation is to shift each energy level by


amount e 2 E 2 / 2 m 2 .

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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

2-1-2 Particle in Slanted Box


Suppose that a 1D potential box is slanted by a such angle, then there
is a perturbation given by; H = x a . Then,
2

H=

px
2m

x
a

where; H 0 =

px
2m

and H = x a

E1n = ( H ) nn = a 1 n | x | n
a

=a

U n xU n dx
*

0
a

2
2
sin nax x
sin nax dx
a
a

= a 1
0

2 nx
a

dx

x 12 (1 cos 2nax ) dx
0

x sin
0

[ x | a x cos 2nax dx]


2 2 0
2

0
a

1 1
= 2 [ 2xa
sin 2na | 0a 2na sin 2nax dx]
n

2 a
0
=
=

1 1
2 [ zero ( 2 na ) 2 cos 2 nax | 0a ]
2 a

1
1 1
2 [1 1] =
2 a
2

Therefore, the energy corrected up to the first order is;


En = n2

2h 2
2ma

1
2

H.W: Deduce the 2ed order correction and then find the 1st and 2ed order
correction to wave function.

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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

2-1-3 An Harmonic Oscillator


Oscillators are the basis of many important models in physics, for
examples (photons, phonons, magnons,..). In real system, it is often
necessary to employ an anharmonic oscillator with cubic and / or
quadratic terms in the potential energy.
2
2
3
4
p
1
H = x + m 2 x + c x + D x
2m 2
Let H = cx 3 only.

p x2 1
H=
+ m 2 x 2 + cx 3
2m 2

E1n = ( H )nn = U n* cx 3U n dx = zero

Off diagonal:
( H )nk = U n* H U k dx = c n \ x 3 \ k
+

x 3 = ( 2 ) 2 ( a + a )3
3

+ +

+3

= ( 2 ) ( a + 3 a a a + 3 a a a + a )
( H ) nk = c(2 )

3
2 n | a

First term:

n | a a a | k = k n | a a | k 1

= k k 1 n | a | k 2

= k k 1 k 2 n | k 3

= k ( k 1 )( k 2 ) n ,k 3

Second term:
+

+ +

+3

| k + 3 n | a a a | k + 3 n | a a a | k + n | a

3 n | a a a | k = 3 k n | a a | k 1

= 3 k k n | a | k

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| k

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Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

= 3 k k k n | k 1

= 3 k k n ,k 1

Third term:
+ +

3 n | a a a | k = 3 k + 1 n | a a | k + 1
+

= 3 k + 1 k + 1 n | a | k
= 3 k + 1 k + 1 k + 1 n | k + 1

= 3( k + 1 ) k + 1 n ,k + 1

Forth term:
+ + +

+ +

n | a a a | k = k + 1 n | a a | k + 1
+

= k + 1 k + 2 n | a | k + 2
= k + 1 k + 2 k + 3 n | k + 3

= ( k + 1 )( k + 2 )( k + 3 ) n ,k + 3
( H ) nk = c(2 )

k (k 1)(k 2) n,k 3 + 3k k n,k 1 + 3(k + 1) k + 1 n,k +1 +

(k + 1)(k + 2)(k + 3) n,k +3

0
3
0
6
0
0

0
6 2
0
2 6
0
3
3 0
6 2
0
9 3
0
2 15
= c(2 ) 2
0
9 3
0
24
0
6
0 2 6
0
24
0 15 5

0
..... ..... ..... ..... .....

.....

.....
.....

.....
.....

.....

Note that all the diagonal matrix element are equal to zero as will be
found before.

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Department of Physics/College of Education

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Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

Perturbed Energies:

E n = Eon + E1n + E 2 n
2

( H )nk
= Eon + ( H )nn +
k m E on E ok

For ground state (n=0):


2

( H )ok
Eo = Eoo + ( H )oo +
k o E oo E ok

The only non- zero elements are; ( H )o1 and ( H )o 3 which equal to

3c( 2 )

6 c( 2 )

and

1
c2
E o = h + 0 +
2
8 3

respectively.

32
( 6 )2
+
1

3
1
7
h h
h h
2

2
2
2

1
11 c 2
= h
2
8 h 3

Perturbed wave functions:

n = on + 1n + .......
Ground state (n=0):

( H )ko
Uk
k o Eoo Eok

o = Uo +
= Uo

2
3U 1 + U 3

3
( 2 ) 2 h
c

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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

2-2 Time- Independent Degenerate Perturbation Theory


According to the degenerate idea a degenerate quantum system state
mean two or more wave function has the same energy. The first order
correction of energy may found as in the form: E1n = ( H )nn . However,
when the first order corrections are non- zero, they may lift the
degeneracy. For example, application of uniform magnetic field to
hydrogen atom (Zeeman Effect) gives different values of the magnetic
quantum number (m). While application of the electric field (Stark
Effect) does not lift the degeneracy in first order because E1n=0.
In actual fact, one can not use the second order perturbation theory
because of the denominator term, like Eon-Eok which can be zero. Thus,
one have to revised scheme so as to be able to handle degeneracy.
Suppose the S.E. for the perturbed system is;
( H o + H ) | p = E p | p

And the solution is;


| p = c pj | j
j

Substitute in S.E. and multiply by k |

c pj k | H o | j + c pj k | H | j = E p c pj k | j
j

j
pj

Eoj kj + c pj ( H )kj = E p c pj kj

c pk Eok + c pj ( H ) kj = E p c pk
j

c pk ( E p E ok ) = c pj ( H )kj

..........( )

For simplification, assume that we have only two degenerate eigen


functions name it by | r and | s where;

Eor = Eos
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Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

Actually the effect of the perturbation is to mix the two eigen functions
together. i.e.
| p = c pj | j
j

So, the perturbed wave functions | r and | s can be expressed as;


| r = crr | r + crs | s

| s = csr | r + css | s

, Er E s

Equation (*) can be written as;

c pk ( E p Eok ) = c pr ( H )kr + c ps ( H )ks


Now lets consider the perturbed state | r . So,
crk ( E r Eok ) = crr ( H ) kr + crs ( H ) ks

Which gives for;


k=r

crr {( H )rr + Eor Er } + crs ( H )rs = 0

k=s

crr ( H )sr + crs {( H )ss + Eos Er } = 0

In matrix form one may write;


( H ) rr + Eor E r

( H ) sr

( H ) rs
C rr 0
= =0
( H ) ss + Eos E r C rs 0

The system of above equations has a non-trivial solution if and only if the
Wronksen of the first matrix is zero ( Why? ); i.e.
( H )rr + Eor E r
( H )sr

( H )rs
=0
( H )ss + Eos E r

So, one can get;


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E r2 E r {( H ) rr + Eor + ( H ) ss + Eos } + {( H ) rr + Eor }{( H ) ss + Eos }


( H ) rs ( H ) sr = 0

The solution of this quadratic equation is then;

E r = Eor +

( H )rr + ( H )ss 1
m [( H )rr ( H )ss ] 2 + 4 ( H )rs
2
2

However, in the same procedure one can get Es . Keeping in mind that

Eor = Eos .

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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

2-2-1 Stark Effect of Hydrogen Atom


Consider the energy level n=2 for H-like atoms. Hence, there are 4
degenerate wave function namely;
| nlm | 200, | 210 , | 21 + 1 , | 21 1

Suppose that the electric field is applied in z- direction thus;


H = eEz = eEr cos

The matrix of perturbation is then;


2l m | eEr cos | 2lm = eE 2*lm r cos 2lm d

Which consist of sixteen elements. By looking at the parity and the


symmetry, one can see that, the only non- zero elements are those;
( H ) 210, 200 = ( H ) 200, 210 = 200 | eEr cos | 210

2
eE 4
r / a
=
r ( z r / ao )e dr .0 sin .cosd . 0 d
32ao4 0
o

= 3eEao
Hence, the matrix of perturbation is;
0
3eEa
o

3eEao
0
0
0

0 0
0 0

0 0

0 0

Consider that;
| r =| 200 and | s =| 210 such that

Eor = Eos = E( n = 2 )
Thus;

( H )rr = ( H )ss = 0 and ( H )rs = ( H )sr = 3eEao . Therefore,

E r = E( n = 2 ) m ( H )rs

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Department of Physics/College of Education

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E r = E ( n = 2 ) + 3eEa o

E s = E( n = 2 ) 3eEao
\ r

\ r

Er = E( n = 2 ) + 3eEao
2 fold
E( n = 2 )

deg .state

4 fold
deg .states

\ s

Es = E( n =0 ) 3eEao

\ s

Before Perturbation

After Perturbation

It can be easily seen that; crr / crs = 1. Therefore;


H.W:
| r = 2
| s = 2

2 (

200

+ 210 )

2 (

200

210 )

As An Aside
eE z
200 | eEr cos | 210 =
.
16( 2 ) ao

2
zr zr / ao
4
2

r
2

e
dr
.
cos

sin

.
ao

d
0
0
0

2
eE 4
r r / a
2

.
r
2

e
dr
.
cos

sin

.
0
0 d
32ao4 0
ao

I = 2 r 4 e r / a dr
o

( x ) = e t t x 1 dt

Let

r
= t r = ao t dr = ao dt
ao

I = 2 a o4 .t 4 e t .ao dt = 2 ao5 t 4 e t dt = ao5 ( 5 ) = 2 a o5 .4 !

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Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

1 5 r / a
II = r e
dr
ao 0
o

1 5 5 t
5
5 t
5
5
a
t
e
a
dt
=
a
o
o
o t e dt = ao ( 6 ) = a o 5 !

ao 0
0

III = cos 2 sin d =


0

1
(( 1 )3 13 ) = 2
3
3

IIII = d = 2
0

200 | eEr cos | 210 =

eE
32ao4

2
. 2ao5 .24 ao5 .120 . .2
3

eE
2
( 48 120 )ao5 . .2
4
32ao
3

eE
2
.( 72 )ao5 . .2
4
32ao
3

eE
4
.(72)a o . = 3eEa o
32
3

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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

2-2-2 Zeeman Effect


Consider an electron state that is doubly degenerate. Now when a
magnetic field is applied in the z-direction for example, the perturbation
Hamiltonian will be;
v
d
d
H = ga0 Blz = ihga0 Bz
=A
d
d

(How?)

Where g is the g-value (2.003), a0 is the Boher magneton and B=Bz is the
magnetic field. For simplicity assume that;
| r =| m =

1
2

exp(im ) and | s =| m =

1
2

exp(im )

Consequently the matrix of perturbation being as follows;


( H ) rr
( H )
sr

( H ) rs
( H ) ss

These elements can be easily deduced as in the following;


( H ) rr = nlm | H | nlm =

imA 2
2 0

e i ( m m ) d = imA

( H ) ss = nl m | H | nl m =

imA 2
2 0

( H ) rs = nlm | H | nl m =

imA 2
2 0

e i ( m m ) d = 0

( H ) sr = nl m | H | nlm =

imA 2
2 0

e i ( m m ) d = 0

e i ( m m) d = im A

Thus;

Er = Eor +

( H )rr + ( H )ss 1
m [( H )rr ( H )ss ] 2 + 4 ( H )rs
2
2

Become;
E r = Eor + 12 iA(m + m) m 12 iA(m m)

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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

Therefore;
E r = Eor + 12 iA(m + m) + 12 iA(m m)

= Eor + imA
= Eor + mhga0 B z

And
E s = E or + 12 iA(m + m) 12 iA(m m)

= Eor + imA
= Eor + mhga0 Bz

When m = m one obtain;


Er = Eor + mhga0 Bz

and

E s = Eor mhga0 B z

H.W:
1
2

i- Show that; | r = cos(m )


ii- Repeat the above calculations concerning with s-state.

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2-3 Variation Method


In principle, the aim for using this method is to quickly calculate the
upper bound for each of the two or three lowest energy level of the
system. However, this method usually needs to be used when there is no
similar problem capable of exact solution, or the perturbation term is too
large. So, perturbation theory can not used.
Energy Expectation Value
Assume that the system have the following energy levels;
Eo E1 E2 ....., with the corresponding eigen functions | 0 , | 1 , | 2 ,...., such

that; H | n = E n | n. According to the principle of linear superposition,


any arbitrary wave function can be written in terms of the functions
| n as follows;
| = cn | n
n

Thus;

| H |
H =
|

But;

*
| H | = cm
cn E n mn = cn E n
2

n m

*
| = cm
cn mn = cn
n m

Therefore;

H = cn En / c n
2

If each value of En is replaced by Eo one get;

H Eo .

2
n

2
n

H Eo

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Department of Physics/College of Education

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Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

So;

| H |
Eo
|

It is seen that, the last equation will provide an upper bound on Eo. So, it
would be useful if the right- hand side can be minimized. It is important
to mention that the variation method usually adopt a procedure by which
a trial wave function with an adjustable parameter have to be chosen and
then the minimization process carried out with respect to this parameter.
However, the choice of the wave function is determined by the physics of
the system.

Minimization
Choose the trial wave function to be real for simplicity, and;

H d
H =
2
d

2 d = H d

Vary implicitly with respect to the adjustable parameter and find the
variation of as follows;

( ) 2 d + 2 . d = ( H + H )d

Since H is Hermitical and is real, thus;

H d = H d

2 d = ( H )d
2

The minimization condition is that = 0

- 22 -

Department of Physics/College of Education

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Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

Case (i): if is infinitely an adjustable, then can take any value.


Thus we must have;

H =
And hence;

= Eo

And =| 0

Case (ii): when is not infinitely an adjustable the minimization H is


used as an over estimate for Eo.

H =

h2 2
+V
2m

h2

2d + Vd

H = 2m
2
d

d = {.( ) ( ).( )}d


2

= ( )ds ( )2 d
s

= ( )2 d
2
h2
2
d + V d

H = 2m
2
d

So, the minimization of H with respect to the parameter ( ) i.e.

H / can be found from this equation.

- 23 -

Department of Physics/College of Education

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Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

2-3-1 Hydrogen Like Atom


By considering physics of such a system the trial wave function
should be spherically symmetrical. Recalling the three conditions that the
wave function must satisfied the following form can be proposed;

= A exp( r / 2 )
Using the finite condition one my reach;

3
A e 4r dr = 1 A =
0
8

Now;

1
r

1
= Ae 2
r
2

Hence;
r
h 2 2 r

e
2
2
H = A
e
4

r
dr

Zk
4

r
dr

r
0
2m 0 4

h 2 2 Zk

8m
2

Minimizing this equation with respect to one may get;

H h 2 Zk
=

=0

4m
2

2mZk
h2

Accordingly;
E min =
E min =

h 2 4m 2 Z 2 k 2 Zk 2mZk
.

.
8m
2 h2
h4

mZ 2 k 2
2h 2

mZ 2 k 2

E min =

h2

And the wave function is;


ground

Z
=
ao

exp( Zr / ao )

Where k = e 2 / 4 o and ao = 4 o h 2 / me 2

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mZ 2 k 2
2h 2

Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

2-4 The WKB Method ( Approximation )


This method is developed by Wentzel, Kramers and Brillouin. It is
mainly devoted to obtain an approximate solutions for TISE in 1D.
Actually it is very useful for calculating bound state energies and
tunneling rates through potential barriers. Sometimes this method called a
real life approach for tackling complicated potentials. However, it works
well with potentials that are almost constant relative to the energy of the
particle.
The TISE for a particle incident on a slowly varying potential is
given by;
d 2
dx 2

+ k 2 = 0

where

k 2 = 2m( E n V ) / h 2

This equation admits a solution has the following form;


( x) = A( x)e i ( x )

Using this solution in the former SE one may reach;


2iA A 2 + A + iA + k 2 A = 0

Which means that;( Why?)


A A 2 + k 2 A = 0

And
2iA + iA = 0

Or;
( A 2 ) = 0

Lets begin to solve the last equation. Where its integration leads to;
A 2 = C1

Where C1 is a constant. So;


A2 =

C1

Thus;
A=

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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

Concerning with the real part equation, it is reasonable to ignore the


second derivative of A when A itself is assumed to vary slowly. So,
one have;
A 2 + k 2 A = 0

Which will leads to;


= k
Thus one may say;
= kdx

Consequently;
( x) =

C
k

i kdx
e

Or more precisely;
( x) =

1
k

(C + ei + C e i )

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Department of Physics/College of Education

2014-2015

Quantum Mechanics/Ph.D. Course

2-4-1 Particle in Finite Varying Potential Well


Recall that the potential for such a system is;

V ( x) =

F ( x)
0 x a
elsewhere

So, for the case that E>F(x) the system wave function may set up to be;
( x) =

1
k

(C + ei + C e i )

( x) =

1
k

(C1 cos + C 2 sin )

Or;

Where C1 = (C+ + C ) and C2 = i(C+ C ) . According to the physics of the


system one has that;
(0) = 0

= 0 or C1 = 0 (One has to choose C1 = 0 , why?)

( a) = 0

sin = 0

And;
= n (How?)

It should be mentioned that the last equation called Quantization


Condition. The wave function, therefore, being;
( x) =

C2
k

sin n

In order to deduce the energy one has to use the following procedure;
= n

kdx = n
a

2 m ( En F ( x )
h2

= n

It is seen that there is no choice to define F(x) in order to deduce the


energy. For simplicity assume that F(x)=0, then;
En =

nh 2
2ma 2

H.W:
i) Make an objective comparison with the standard problem results.
ii) Using the WKB method show that the energy eigen values for the
Harmonic oscillator can deduced to be as in the form; E n = h (n + 12 )
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