Time independent Klein–Gordon equation with boundary conditions.

In summary, the conversation discusses the time independent Klein–Gordon equation and the boundary conditions imposed on its solution. It is mentioned that a global phase change does not affect the energy in the field, but a local phase change will increase the energy. It is suggested that this is due to the fact that the original solution already minimizes energy.
  • #1
Spinnor
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Say we consider the time independent Klein–Gordon equation, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klein–Gordon_equation

Lets impose the following boundary conditions, the function is zero at infinity and on some small ball of radius R centered on some origin the function is some complex number C. Assume we have a solution to the time independent Klein–Gordon equation such that psi(R) = C and psi(r=infinity) = 0.

Clearly a global phase change of psi(r) by exp[i*theta],

psi(r) --> psi(r)*exp[i*theta]

does not change the energy in the field psi(r) provided,

C --> C*exp[i*theta]

Is it easy to show that a local phase change which depends only on r,

psi(r) --> psi(r)*exp[i*theta(r)]

will increase the energy of the field? Assume,

C --> C*exp[i*theta(R)]


Thanks for any help!
 
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  • #2
Could one just argue that because psi(r) is a solution of the time independent Klein–Gordon equation psi(r) already minimizes energy and any change will only increase the energy?
 
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1. What is the Time Independent Klein-Gordon Equation?

The Time Independent Klein-Gordon Equation is a mathematical equation used in theoretical physics to describe the behavior of a quantum particle without the influence of time. It is a second-order partial differential equation that governs the evolution of a scalar field.

2. What are the Applications of the Time Independent Klein-Gordon Equation?

The Time Independent Klein-Gordon Equation has various applications in theoretical physics, including quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, and relativistic quantum mechanics. It is used to describe the behavior of scalar particles, such as the Higgs boson, and has been used in the study of particle interactions and the properties of different materials.

3. What are Boundary Conditions in the Time Independent Klein-Gordon Equation?

Boundary conditions are constraints placed on the solution of the Time Independent Klein-Gordon Equation to satisfy physical requirements. These conditions define the behavior of the solution at the boundaries of a system, such as the potential energy barrier of a particle or the boundary of a material. They are essential in obtaining physically meaningful solutions to the equation.

4. How are Boundary Conditions Implemented in the Time Independent Klein-Gordon Equation?

Boundary conditions are typically implemented by imposing restrictions on the values or derivatives of the solution at the boundaries of the system. These restrictions may be given explicitly or can be derived from physical principles. The specific implementation of boundary conditions depends on the problem at hand and is crucial in obtaining accurate and meaningful solutions.

5. What are the Challenges in Solving the Time Independent Klein-Gordon Equation with Boundary Conditions?

One of the main challenges in solving the Time Independent Klein-Gordon Equation with boundary conditions is finding physically meaningful solutions that satisfy the conditions imposed. The equation is highly nonlinear, making analytical solutions challenging to obtain. Therefore, numerical methods are often employed, and the choice of boundary conditions can significantly affect the accuracy and complexity of the solutions.

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