Solving Schroedinger Equation for a Step Potential

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the time-independent Schrödinger Equation for a step potential in quantum mechanics. The specific wave functions under consideration are \(\psi(x)=A\sin(kx-\phi_0)\) for \(x<0\) and \(\psi(x)=Be^{-x/\eta}+Ce^{x/\eta}\) for \(x>0\). The key conclusion is that at the boundary \(x=0\), the phase \(\phi_0\) can be expressed as \(\phi_0=\arctan(\eta k)\). The challenge lies in manipulating these equations to derive the correct relationships without introducing unnecessary complexity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the time-independent Schrödinger Equation
  • Familiarity with wave functions in quantum mechanics
  • Knowledge of boundary conditions in quantum systems
  • Basic proficiency in trigonometric and exponential function manipulation
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  • Study the derivation of the time-independent Schrödinger Equation solutions
  • Learn about boundary conditions and their implications in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the relationship between trigonometric and exponential forms of wave functions
  • Investigate the physical interpretation of phase shifts in quantum wave functions
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Undergraduate physics students, quantum mechanics learners, and anyone seeking to understand the behavior of wave functions in potential step problems.

FishareFriend
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Undergraduate Quantum Mechanics problem. However the course hasn't gone as far to include R or T so I'm assuming there must be a way to solve this without needing to know about those.

Homework Statement



Asked to show that [tex]\psi(x)=A\sin(kx-\phi_0)[/tex] is a solution to the 1D-time-independent Schroedinger Equation for [itex]x<0[/itex].
Then asked to show that the general solution for [itex]x>0[/itex] is [tex]\psi(x)=Be^{{-x}/{\eta}}+Ce^{{x}/{\eta}}[/tex].
Question then is, by considering how the wave function must behave at [itex]x=0[/itex], show that [tex]\phi_0=arctan(\eta k)[/tex]

Homework Equations



[tex]\psi(x)=A\sin(kx-\phi_0)\quad x<0[/tex]
[tex]\psi(x)=Be^{{-x}/{\eta}}+Ce^{{x}/{\eta}}\quad x>0[/tex]
[tex]\phi_0=arctan(\eta k)\quad x=0[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


I've tried various ways, attempting to put the first solution into exponential form, then attempting to put the second solution into trigonometric form. Neither of these seem to give the desired result, I just end up with [itex]i[/itex] everywhere. I also can't see how you get [itex]\eta k[/itex] out.
Feel like I'm missing a step or something in order to be able to solve this, any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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FishareFriend said:
Question then is, by considering how the wave function must behave at [itex]x=0[/itex],
So how does the wave function behave at [itex]x=0[/itex]?
 
And as x goes to +∞?
 

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