- #1
neutrino
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Yet another question from question from Griffiths. This time I was able to do the problem, but I’m not able to understand what it means.
Chapter 1, problem 1.15
He talks about unstable particles for which the probability of finding it somewhere is not one, but an exponentially decreasing function of time.
[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}|\Psi(x,t)|^2dx = e^\frac{-t}{\tau}[/tex] ,
To arrive at this result (in a “crude” way), we assume that the potential energy function has an imaginary part, [itex]\Gamma[/itex].
[tex]V = V_0 - \imath\Gamma[/tex],
where [itex]V_0[/itex] is the true potential energy and [itex]\Gamma[/itex] a positive real constant.
What I don’t understand is the nature of this potential. What’s a complex potential, and does gamma have a physical meaning?
Chapter 1, problem 1.15
He talks about unstable particles for which the probability of finding it somewhere is not one, but an exponentially decreasing function of time.
[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}|\Psi(x,t)|^2dx = e^\frac{-t}{\tau}[/tex] ,
To arrive at this result (in a “crude” way), we assume that the potential energy function has an imaginary part, [itex]\Gamma[/itex].
[tex]V = V_0 - \imath\Gamma[/tex],
where [itex]V_0[/itex] is the true potential energy and [itex]\Gamma[/itex] a positive real constant.
What I don’t understand is the nature of this potential. What’s a complex potential, and does gamma have a physical meaning?
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