# Homework Help: Singular potential problem

1. Aug 10, 2007

### ehrenfest

My book says that the solution to a singular potential at zero problem has the form
$$\begin{array}{ccc} \psi(x) &=& A exp(Kx) for x< 0 \\ & =& Aexp(-Kx) for x > 0 \end{array}$$

How do you get that from the general solution of the Schrodinger equation
$$\hbar^2/2m d^2 \psi(x)/dx^2 = E \psi(x) = -|E|\psi(x)$$
which is
$$\begin{eqnarray*} psi(x) &=& A exp(Kx) + B exp(-Kx) for x< 0 \\ & &= Cexp(-Kx) + Dexp(Kx)for x > 0 \end(eqnarray*}$$

by "imposing the condition that the wavefunction be square integrable and continuous at x = 0".

Obviously the second condition gives you A + B = C + D but I do not see how that helps reduce to a single coefficient.

And why are my equation arrays not working? :(

Last edited: Aug 11, 2007
2. Aug 11, 2007

### olgranpappy

the condition that it be square integrable means the we must set
B=D=0.

3. Aug 11, 2007

### ehrenfest

How does square integability imply that?

4. Aug 11, 2007

### Gokul43201

Staff Emeritus
As a quick test, you want to evaluate each of those (modulus squared) integrals over their respective domains. Ask yourself which ones will converge and which will diverge (for non-zero coefficients)?

Last edited: Aug 11, 2007
5. Aug 11, 2007

### ehrenfest

I see. Thanks.

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