Problem: properties of Fourier Transforms in Quantum Mechanics

Sistine
Messages
18
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


I am trying to derive a property of the Fourier Transform of the wave function.
F[\psi(cx)]=\frac{1}{|c|}\overline{\psi}\left(\frac{p}{c}\right)

Homework Equations


The Fourier transform of \overline{\psi}(p) is defined as
\overline{\psi}(p)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi\hbar}}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}e^{-\frac{i}{\hbar}px}\psi(x)dx
and the inverse Fourier transform
\psi(x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi\hbar}}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}e^{\frac{i}{\hbar}px}\overline{\psi}(p)dp

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried changing the integration variable
u=cx
Then
\psi(u)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi\hbar}}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}e^{\frac{i}{\hbar}pu}\overline{\psi}(p)dp
But when I took the Fourier transform and substituted u=cx I did not manage to get the desired result.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You're using the wrong Fourier Transform.

F[\psi(c x)]=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2 \pi \hbar}} \int_{-\infty}^\infty e^{-\frac{i}{h} p x} \psi(c x) dx

Use the same substitution as you did previously and work it out from here.
 
Thanks, but why is there a modulus involved?
 
Thread 'Need help understanding this figure on energy levels'
This figure is from "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by Griffiths (3rd edition). It is available to download. It is from page 142. I am hoping the usual people on this site will give me a hand understanding what is going on in the figure. After the equation (4.50) it says "It is customary to introduce the principal quantum number, ##n##, which simply orders the allowed energies, starting with 1 for the ground state. (see the figure)" I still don't understand the figure :( Here is...
Thread 'Understanding how to "tack on" the time wiggle factor'
The last problem I posted on QM made it into advanced homework help, that is why I am putting it here. I am sorry for any hassle imposed on the moderators by myself. Part (a) is quite easy. We get $$\sigma_1 = 2\lambda, \mathbf{v}_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_2 = \lambda, \mathbf{v}_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_3 = -\lambda, \mathbf{v}_3 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ -1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} $$ There are two ways...
Back
Top