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Nick89
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Homework Statement
A flow of particles collides with a potential step. The potential is zero for x < 0 and a certain value [tex]V_0[/tex] for x > 0.
The flow of particles comes in from the left (x<0 area).
One of the questions is to give the general form of the wavefunction in the area x > 0 and to find an expression for the wavenumber k.
Homework Equations
[tex]-\frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \frac{d^2 \psi}{dx^2} + V_0 \psi = E \psi[/tex]
(For x > 0)
The Attempt at a Solution
I first write the schrodinger eq. into a more general form:
[tex]-\frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \frac{d^2 \psi}{dx^2} + (V_0 - E) \psi = 0[/tex]
[tex]- \frac{d^2 \psi}{dx^2} + \frac{2m (V_0-E)}{\hbar^2} \psi = 0[/tex]
[tex]\frac{d^2 \psi}{dx^2} - \frac{2m (V_0-E)}{\hbar^2} \psi = 0[/tex]
[tex]\frac{d^2 \psi}{dx^2} - k^2 \psi = 0[/tex]
So
[tex]k^2 = \frac{2m (V_0-E)}{\hbar^2}[/tex]
And the solution are complex exponents due to the minus-sign (they would be real exponents if it was a plus sign):
[tex]\psi (x) = A e^{ikx} + B e^{-ikx}[/tex]Now, when I look at the answer, I noticed that they also use complex exponents, but their k was different:
[tex]k^2 = \frac{2m (E-V_0)}{\hbar^2}[/tex]
(E-V instead of V-E)
This is a pretty important error because:
In my case: If E > V, the particle is 'above the potential step' and thus it should be a complex exp. (sin/cos). But, if E > V then k becomes complex, and the exponents become real!
If E < V, the particle is 'inside the potential step' and thus it should be a real exponent (as usual with penetration in classically forbidden area). But, if E < V then k is real and the exponents stay complex!...
Obviously I made an error with a minus sign somewhere, but I honestly can't find it..!?I also tried switching the minus sign for a plus sign (and swapping the E and V again obviously) to get:
[tex]\frac{d^2 \psi}{dx^2} + \frac{2m (E-V_0)}{\hbar^2} \psi = 0[/tex]
So now, my k is in accordance with the answer (E-V), but because of the + I get REAL exponents, and if E > V, k is real and the exponents stay real (wrong), and if E < V, k is complex and the exponents become complex (wrong)...?
I can't figure it out...