Algebra in potential barrier problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a potential barrier problem in quantum mechanics, specifically focusing on the algebra involved in calculating the transmission probability of a matter wave encountering a barrier where the energy of the wave is greater than the barrier height. Participants are analyzing expressions derived from the time-independent Schrödinger equation and exploring the implications of complex numbers in their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the simplification of the transmission probability expression and the handling of complex exponentials and trigonometric functions. There is an emphasis on taking the modulus of complex numbers and the need to consider complex conjugates in the calculations. Some participants express confusion about the algebraic manipulations required to reach the expected form of the transmission probability.

Discussion Status

There are multiple attempts to simplify the transmission probability, with some participants providing insights on how to handle complex numbers. However, there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or resolution to the algebraic challenges being faced. The discussion remains open, with participants actively seeking clarification and further guidance.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework guidelines, which may limit the amount of direct assistance they can provide to one another. There is also an acknowledgment of the complexity involved in the algebraic manipulation required for this problem.

Summer95
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Homework Statement


It is a potential barrier with E of the incoming matter wave E>U (greater than the height of the barrier). I have already done a LOT of algebra to get to the point where

##\frac{F}{A}=\frac{2kk'e^{-ikL}}{2kk'cos(k'L)-i(k'^{2}+k^{2})sin(k'L)}##

which I won't bother writing out because its done and I can check that this is the correct expression.

k and k' are clearly the usually values corresponding to the time independent Schrödinger equation outside and inside of the barrier, respectively. F is the amplitude of the transmitted wave and A is the amplitude of the incident wave. L is the width of the barrier.

Homework Equations


The transmission probability *should* simplify to:

##T=\frac{4\frac{k'^{2}k^{2}}{(k^{2}-k'^{2})^{2}}}{sin^{2}k'L+4\frac{k'^{2}k^{2}}{(k^{2}-k'^{2})^{2}}}##

The Attempt at a Solution



So the transmission probability

##T=\left | \frac{F}{A} \right |^{2}=\frac{4k^{2}k'^{2}(coskL-isinkL)^{2}}{4k^{2}k'^{2}cos^{2}k'L+(k^{2}+k'^{2})^{2}sin^{2}k'L-2ikk'cosk'Lsink'L(k^{2}+k'^{2})}##

I have tried to simplify this twice - the second time I started by just multiplying the whole bottom out. I won't write out all of my work because nothing after this point lead to anything useful but if I do get somewhere I will add it. Mostly I don't understand how to get rid of the exponential in the numerator (or the trigs associated with it) and all of the i's.
 
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The complex exponential in the numerator of the first expression disappears when you take the modulus in the second, because ##\forall x\in\mathbb{R}:\ |e^{ix}|=1##.
In the denominator of the second expression, square and add the imaginary and real parts to get the modulus.
 
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andrewkirk said:
The complex exponential in the numerator of the first expression disappears when you take the modulus in the second, because ##\forall x\in\mathbb{R}:\ |e^{ix}|=1##.
In the denominator of the second expression, square and add the imaginary and real parts to get the modulus.
Thank you! I also just realized I need to re-square F/A because I did not take the complex conjugate.
 
Summer95 said:

The Attempt at a Solution



So the transmission probability

##T=\left | \frac{F}{A} \right |^{2}=\frac{4k^{2}k'^{2}(coskL-isinkL)^{2}}{4k^{2}k'^{2}cos^{2}k'L+(k^{2}+k'^{2})^{2}sin^{2}k'L-2ikk'cosk'Lsink'L(k^{2}+k'^{2})}##

I have tried to simplify this twice - the second time I started by just multiplying the whole bottom out. I won't write out all of my work because nothing after this point lead to anything useful but if I do get somewhere I will add it. Mostly I don't understand how to get rid of the exponential in the numerator (or the trigs associated with it) and all of the i's.
So the transmission probability is actually:
## T=\left | \frac{F}{A} \right |^{2}=\frac{F*F}{A*A}## (where F* means the complex conjugate of F)
so doing that I get:

##\frac{4k^{2}k'^{2}}{4k^{2}k'^{2}cos^{2}k'L+(k^{2}+k'^{2})^{2}sin^{2}k'L}##

I guess I am still struggling with the algebra here. This should look like:
##T=\frac{4\frac{k'^{2}k^{2}}{(k^{2}-k'^{2})^{2}}}{sin^{2}k'L+4\frac{k'^{2}k^{2}}{(k^{2}-k'^{2})^{2}}}##

What am I missing?
 

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