Solve Schroedinger Equation with Mathematica DSolve for given potential

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on solving the Schrödinger equation using Mathematica's DSolve function for a potential defined as infinite below z=0 and V=mgz for positive z. The user encountered an error related to inverse functions while attempting to apply boundary conditions. The potential was defined using Piecewise, and the user correctly identified the need for two boundary conditions: the wavefunction must be zero at z=0 and z approaches infinity. The discussion suggests simplifying the problem by focusing solely on the region where z>0.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Time-Independent Schrödinger Equation (TISE)
  • Familiarity with Mathematica's DSolve function
  • Knowledge of boundary conditions in quantum mechanics
  • Concept of Piecewise functions in Mathematica
NEXT STEPS
  • Review Mathematica's documentation on DSolve for differential equations
  • Learn about boundary conditions in quantum mechanics
  • Study the implications of infinite potentials in quantum systems
  • Explore examples of solving piecewise-defined potentials in Mathematica
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in quantum mechanics, physicists using Mathematica for computational solutions, and anyone looking to solve differential equations with boundary conditions in a quantum context.

donquixote17
Messages
9
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


I need to solve the Schroedinger equation (Using DSolve in Mathematica) for a potential that is infinite below z=0 and V=mgz for positive z.


Homework Equations


TISE:
\psi \text{''}[z]+\frac{2 m}{\hbar }(\text{En}-V[z])\psi [z]==0



The Attempt at a Solution


First I defined the potential as
V[z]=\text{Piecewise}[\{\{\infty ,z<0\},\{m g z,z\geq 0\}\}];

Then I told Mathematica to solve the Diffeq
\text{DSolve}\left[\left\{\psi \text{''}[z]+\frac{2 m}{\hbar }(\text{En}-V[z])\psi [z]==0,\psi [0]==0,\psi [\infty ]==0\right\},\psi [z],z\right]

The error mathematica gave me was
InverseFunction::ifun: Inverse functions are being used. Values may be lost for multivalued inverses. >>

I'm not really sure how to get mathematica to give me the solution. I know I need 2 conditions besides the differential equation in order to solve. The only boundary condition that I know to use is that the wavefunction must be zero at z=0 since the potential is infinite there.

Any ideas on what second boundary condition I should use or any ideas on where I'm going wrong? Thanks
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
It might be choking, in part, on the infinite potential. You know the wavefunction vanishes there, so try using V(z)=mgz and solve for just z>0.
 

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K