The double-well potential in quantum mechanics: a simple, numerically exact formulation

From MaRDI portal
Publication:2867199




Abstract: The double well potential is arguably one of the most important potentials in quantum mechanics, because the solution contains the notion of a state as a linear superposition of `classical' states, a concept which has become very important in quantum information theory. It is therefore desirable to have solutions to simple double well potentials that are accessible to the undergraduate student. We describe a method for obtaining the numerically exact eigenenergies and eigenstates for such a model, along with the energies obtained through the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) approximation. The exact solution is accessible with elementary mathematics, though numerical solutions are required. We also find that the WKB approximation is remarkably accurate, not just for the ground state, but for the excited states as well.




Cited in
(27)






This page was built for publication: The double-well potential in quantum mechanics: a simple, numerically exact formulation

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q2867199)