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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of a specific integral involving normalized 1D harmonic oscillator wave functions, specifically the integral of the product of their squared magnitudes. Participants also explore conditions under which this integral can be approximated by the product of separate integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to evaluate the integral \int_{\text{all space}} |\psi_{n}(x)|^2 |\psi_{m}(x)|^2 dx for m \neq n and is interested in conditions for an approximation to hold.
  • Another participant questions the validity of the proposed approximation, noting that the dimensions of the terms on either side of the equality differ.
  • A different participant expresses skepticism regarding the physical relevance of the integrals being discussed.
  • There is a reiteration of the dimensionality issue raised earlier, with acknowledgment of the point made.
  • The skepticism about the physical relevance is echoed by another participant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the physical relevance of the integrals. There is also disagreement regarding the validity of the proposed approximation due to dimensional concerns.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential limitations in the formulation of the integral and the approximation, particularly regarding dimensional analysis and physical interpretation.

jfy4
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Hi,

I am trying to figure out the following integral. I have two normalized 1D harmonic osccilator wave functions [itex]\psi_{n}(x)[/itex] and [itex]\psi_{m}(x)[/itex] and I would like to integrate
[tex] \int_{\text{all space}} |\psi_{n}(x)|^2 |\psi_{m}(x)|^2 dx[/tex]
for [itex]m\neq n[/itex]. I would also be interested in knowing for what conditions on [itex]m[/itex] and [itex]n[/itex] could this integral be approximated as
[tex] \int_{\text{all space}} |\psi_{n}(x)|^2 |\psi_{m}(x)|^2 dx \approx \left( \int |\psi_{n}(x)|^2 dx \right) \left( \int |\psi_{m}(x)|^2 dx \right) =1[/tex]
I have tried integrating by parts and waded through a couple of identities but I haven't been able to make much progress. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,
 
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jfy4,
I do not know how to calculate your integral, but the approximation you have indicated cannot work for any n,m because the right-hand side of the equality has different dimensions.
 
jfy4, I don't see any physical relevance of the integrals you are interested in
 
Jano L. said:
jfy4,
I do not know how to calculate your integral, but the approximation you have indicated cannot work for any n,m because the right-hand side of the equality has different dimensions.
Good point, thanks.
 
tom.stoer said:
jfy4, I don't see any physical relevance of the integrals you are interested in

now, neither do I...
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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