- #1
Jennifer_ea
- 7
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Homework Statement
Any wavepacket can be obtained by the superposition of an infinite number of plane waves using the so-called Fourier integral or Fourier transform
[itex]f(x,t) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi}} _{-\infty}\int^\infty A(k)e^{i(kx-\omega t)} dk[/itex]
Find at t=0 the representation of the wavepacket f(x) associated with the flat distribution given by:
A(k) =
0 for k<-K and k>K
[itex]\frac{1}{\sqrt{2K}}[/itex] for -K < k < K
Homework Equations
The textbook I found that isn't leaving me entirely confused has replaced k with p (momentum), but that doesn't seem to be overly relevant to my lack of understanding. The one I've found that seem to be in the ball park is:
[itex]\left|A(p,t)^2\right| = \left|A(p)e^{\frac{ip^{2}t}{2mh-bar}}\right|^2 = \left| A(p,0) \right|^2[/itex]
The Attempt at a Solution
I have figured out that A(k) is the Fourier transform, but after that I run into a brick wall. I can't even seem to get far enough to be able to make useful searches. I'm getting the impression that I need to do some more manipulation so that I can use the above equation, but right now it'd just be blind hammering without understanding why.
I feel like there may have a linking concept I'm not getting, even just a nudge in the right direction would be extremely helpful!