# A Step potential question

1. Jun 4, 2004

### heardie

Hi...I've come across this question on a past exam, and I can't seem to resolve it!

A particle is incident on a step potential at x=0. The total energy of the particle E, is less then the height of the step, U. The particle has wavefunctions
$$\begin{array}{l} \psi (x) = \frac{1}{2}\{ (1 + i)e^{ikx} + (1 - i)e^{ - ikx} \} ,x \ge 0 \\ \psi (x) = e^{ - kx} ,x < 0 \\ \end{array}$$

Note that k is the same on both sides of the step
a) ….
b.) How must k be related to E and U on both sides of the step and determine the ration E/U

Well on the left, it is just a free wave-function where k=$$k = \frac{{\sqrt {2mE} }}{\hbar }$$
On the right k= $$k = i\kappa = \frac{{i\sqrt {2m(U - E)} }}{\hbar }$$
Since the k’s are equal this immediately implies that U=0, does it not? In which case the ratio E/U is infinite…

Last edited: Jun 4, 2004
2. Jun 4, 2004

### turin

No, but you are thinking along the right lines. You have recognized that the requirement on k puts strong restriction on ... something. Attack the problem firstly as if k were different in the two regions, and then see what conditions have to be met so that the wavefunction can be put in the given form. (Biggest hint: Notice that there is an i in the exponent in one region and not in the other.)

One thing I just noticed: it appears to me that the particle is incident from the right so you may have your suggestions backwards.

Last edited: Jun 4, 2004
3. Jun 5, 2004

### heardie

Ok so if I call the region II solution k'
$$k' = \frac{{\sqrt {2m(E - U)} }}{\hbar }$$

Since U > E this is complex.
$$k' = \frac{{i\sqrt {2m(U - E)} }}{\hbar } = i\kappa$$

This leads to the exponential solution
$$e^{ - \kappa x}$$

If I then impose
$$\kappa = k$$ i get
$$\begin{array}{l} \frac{{\sqrt {2mE} }}{\hbar } = \frac{{\sqrt {2m(U - E)} }}{\hbar } \\ \sqrt E = \sqrt {U - E} \\ E = U - E \\ 2E = U \\ E = \frac{U}{2} \\ \end{array}$$

oh hey...i definatly did that yesterday...musta been dropping a negative somewhere!

Ok, seems my latex sucks but how is E=U/2??

Cheers!

4. Jun 5, 2004

### turin

That was my initial gut feeling about it. Are you asking how it is possible, or are you asking if I think this is correct? I think it is probably correct (without actually combing through your calculations).

5. Jun 6, 2004

### heardie

Turin - I don't think I would ever ask if something is possible in QM, per se, since things that seem impossible always seem to fall out of QM! So much more to learn aswell - makes me wonder what other things (classically impossible) will occur