Dimensionless equation schrodinger with field magnetic

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around transforming the dimensional Schrödinger equation into a dimensionless form, particularly in the context of a charged particle (electron) in a magnetic field. Participants explore theoretical approaches and practical considerations for this transformation, including the use of natural units and the fine structure constant.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks assistance in transforming the dimensional Schrödinger equation into a dimensionless form, expressing uncertainty about the process.
  • Another participant suggests using the charge of the particle (e) and its mass (m) as units, proposing to set e=1 and m=1, while also discussing the implications for other constants like c and \hbar.
  • A participant mentions the fine structure constant (\alpha) as a dimensionless quantity that relates the parameters in the equation, emphasizing its independence from the choice of units.
  • One participant confirms that the particle in question is an electron and expresses confusion about how to proceed with the transformation for computational purposes.
  • A later reply recommends consulting the "Natural Units" page on Wikipedia and suggests the Hartree system of units, while admitting a lack of experience with computational applications of the Schrödinger equation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and approaches to the problem, with no consensus reached on the exact method for transforming the equation into a dimensionless form.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the dependence on specific constants and the potential complexity of the transformation, indicating that assumptions about the units and the nature of the particle may affect the outcome.

pirulito.king
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I can not transform the dimensional Schrödinger equation in dimensionless, please help!

[tex] <br /> -\frac{i\hbar^2}{2m}(\nabla-\frac{ieA}{c})^2\psi=E\psi[/tex]
[tex] A=(x\^y-y\^x)\frac{H_{0}}{2}[/tex]

I'm trying to leave it like that:
[tex] (\nabla-A)^2\psi=E\psi[/tex]
I do not know if I'm posting this in the right place, sorry for mistakes in grammar

thank's
 
Last edited:
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Okay..let us try...

The particle you are considering has a charge e...So first, we decide that we are going to measure all charges using this charge as the basic unit..in other words, e is one unit of charge..so you can substitute 1 instead of e in the equation...

Let us also decide that m, the mass of the particle, is going to be your unit of mass...then, you can happily put m=1 in the equation...What remains are c and [tex]\hbar[/tex]...

Now you can put both of them as one and...is that it?

Not quite...you see these four parameters are not completely independent in terms of dimension..For example, for an electron, you can construct what is known as the fine structure constant as

[tex]\alpha =\ \frac{e^2}{(4 \pi \varepsilon_0)\hbar c}[/tex]

This is a dimensionless quantity whose measured value is approximately 1/137. The important thing is that this value is independent of your choice of units because it is dimensionless. Whether you choose 1 kg as your unit of mass or 1 gm as the unit of mass, fine structure constant will be 1/137.

So you can put, say, e=1, [tex]\varepsilon_0[/tex]=1 and c=1 but then [tex]\hbar[/tex] will correspond to [tex]\frac{1}{4\pi\alpha}[/tex] units...you are required to substitute this in place of [tex]\hbar[/tex] in the equation, if your particle is the electron...

If you are working with some other particle , you have to use the analogous constant...
 
yes the particle is a electron...its caged in square potencial with magnetic field and i try transform the equation in dimensionless for the computer

but i still confuse how i can do it


thanks for already!
 
Please look at the page "Natural Units' in wikipedia...maybe you can use the Hartree system of units...although I must admit that I do not have any experience of doing computational work with the Schrödinger equation..therefore I do not have any idea of the form the equation ought to have...
 

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