Quantum Mechanics-II

Problem Set - 6

1. Use WKB approximation to determine energy levels of the potential


V0 if 0 < x < a/2

V (x) = 0 if a/2 < x < a

∞ otherwise


Express your answer in terms of V0 and the energy En0 of a particle in

a box. Assume E10 > V0 . Solution:

∞ ∞

Figure 1: Figure for Q.1

This is a problem
Ra with two walls and the corresponding quantization
condition is 0 pdx = nπ~. The momentum of the particle is given by
p
p = 2m[E − V (x)] where V (x) is as given above. Now
Z a √ Z a/2 p √ Z a √
pdx = 2m E − V0 dx + 2m Edx
0 0 a/2
√ p a √ a
= 2m[ E − V0 + E ] =
2 2
Thus √ ap √
2m [ E − V0 + E] = nπ~
2
1
 Square both sides
ma2 p
[E − V0 + E + 2 E(E − V0 )] = n2 π 2 ~2
2
which simplifies to
2 2 2 2 p
2E − V0 − n π ~ = −2 E(E − V0 )
ma2
n2 π 2 ~2
Define En = , which is the energy of the n− th state of particle
2ma2
in a box. The above equation becomes
p
2E − V0 − 4En = −2 E(E − V0 )
square it again
4E 2 + V02 − 4EV0 + 16En2 − 8En (2E − V0 ) = 4E(E − V0 )
which gives
En2 E E4 E2
= V02 + n − n
4 256 8
Simplifying, we get,
V0 V2
E = En + + 0
2 16En
V0
The first order perturbation theory gives E = En + . The extra
2
V02
term goes to zero for small V0 (which gives the correct limit for
16En
particle in a box) or in the classical limit for which n is very large.
2. Consider a particle in one dimension in the presence of a potential
V = α|x|, α > 0. Using WKB approximation find its energy.
Solution:
V (x)

−c +c x

2
 This is a problem with no wall but with two turning points at ±c where
E
c = . The momentum is given by
α
r
p E
p(x) = 2m(E − V (x)) = 2mα( − | x |)
α

Thus we have, using

Z +c
1
p(x)dx = (n + )~
−c 2

s Z +c s
+c √ 0 √
Z Z  
E E
pdx = 2mα + x dx + 2mα − x dx
−c −c α 0 α
"  3/2 #0 " 3/2 #+c
√ √

2 E 2 E
= 2mα +x + 2mα − −x
3 α 3 α
−c 0
"  3/2 #
√ 3/2  3/2  3/2 
2 E E E E
= 2mα − −c + + −c
3 α α α α
 3/2
√ 2 E
= 2 2mα
3 α

Thus we have  3/2

√ 2 E 1
2 2mα = (n + )~
3 α 2
which simplifies to
 2/3
1 3~ 1
E= α(n + )2/3
(2mα)1/3 8 2

3. Tunneling: Consider a potential barrier of width a and arbitrary

shape. A free particle with energy E comes from the left and strikes it
at x = 0. Find the probability of its tunnelling to region III.

3
 E
Region I Region Region III
II

x=0 x=a

Figure 2: Figure for Q.3

Solution:
~2 k 2
A free particle with energy E = is incident on the barrier from
2m
the left and strikes the barrier at x = 0. The wavefunctions in three
regions are as follows.
Region I :
ψI (x) = eikx + rI e−ikx
where rI is the reflection coefficient at the barrier at x = 0. If tI I is
the transmission fraction at x = 0, the wave function in region II :

ψII (x) = tII (x)e−α(x)

where we have assumed that the barrier is thick enough so there is no
reflection from the other end at x = a and
Z xr
2m
α(x) = (V (x) − E)dx
0 ~2
1 1
tII (x) = tII (0) = tII (0) r
| p(x) | 2m
(V (x) − E)
~2
In the third region, which is to the right of x = a, the wavefunction is
once gain a free particle with no reflected component,

ψIII (x) = Aeikx

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 The transmission coefficient is the ratio of the square of the amplitude
transmitted into the region III to that incident from region I (which we
have taken to be 1).
| A |2
T = =| A |2
1
Continuity of the wavefunction at x = 0 gives

ψI (0) = tII (0)eα(0)

Thus
Z xr
1 2m
ψIi (x) = ψI (0) exp( (V (x) − E)dx)
2m 1/4 0 ~2
[ 2 (V (x) − E)]
~
Continuity at x = a gives

ψII (a) = ψIII (a)

which gives
Z ar
1 2m
ψIII (a) = ψI (0) exp( (V (x) − E)dx)
2m 0 ~2
[ 2 (V (a) − E)]1/4
~
The tunnelling probability is given by
| ψIII (a) |2
T = = Ae−2γ(a)
| ψI (0) |2
where r
Z x
2m
γ(x) = (V (x) − E)dx
0 ~2
4. Assume that the potential function in a metal can be approximated by
the following potential

V (x) = Θ(x)[V1 − eEx]

where E is constant electric field. The metal occupies the space x < 0
with its surface at x = 0. Since applied field does not penetrate inside
the metal, the energy of electrons below the surface are unaffected

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by the field. Find the probability that an electron with an energy
0 < E < V1 can be ejected from the surface of the metal.

V = Φ + EF − eEx

EF
Filled electrons

x=0 x = Φ/eE

Figure 3: figure for Q.4

Solution:
This problem is a simple application of the tunnelling of the previous
problem, known as “cold emission”. We know that the electrons which
lie below the surface of a metal do not feel the effect of the electric field
as the field does not penetrate inside the metal. The electrons near the
surface, however, may be regarded as being in a potential well of depth
φ (with , where φ is the work function of the metal, which we have
come across in photoelectric effect. If the potential just at the surface
is V , the electrons would get ejected with an energy E = V − φ. In
the presence of an external field, the new potential outside the surface
of the metal is (measured from the bottom of the conduction band)

V (x) = φ + EF − eEx ≡ V1 − eEx

where V1 = φ+EF , Thus the electrons at the Fermi level see a triangular
V1 − EF
potential barrier extending from x1 = 0 to x2 = . We are
eE
looking for the tunnelling probability of electrons at the Fermi surface

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 which we take to have energy E (in place of EF mentioned above). The
tunnelling probability was shown to be given by T = exp(−γ) where
Z x2 r
2m p
γ=2 φ − eEx dx
x1 ~2

The integral is straight forward and we get

r
2 2mV13 E
γ= 2 2 2
[1 − ]3/2
3 ~eE V1

5. Find the probability of transmission through a parabolic barrier

  2

V 1 − x |x| < a
0
V (x) = a2
0 otherwise


V (x)

-a -b 0 b a

Figure 4: Figure Q. 5

Solution:
Turning points are given by

x2
E = V0 [1 − 2 ]
a

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 which gives √
V0 − E
x = ±a = ±b
V0
Thus (see Problem 3)
Z xr
2m
γ= (V (x) − E)dx
0 ~2
r 1/2
2m b x2
Z   
= V0 1 − 2 − E dx
~2 −b a
r
π 2mV0 a2
 
E
= 1−
2 ~2 V0
The tunnelling probability is given by e−2γ .
6. A ball of mass m is acted on by uniform gravity g bouncing up and
down an elastic floor. Take the floor to be the zero of the potential
energy. Using WKB approximation obtain the quantized energy level
of the system.

Solution
Suppose the ball is dropped from a height z = a above the floor (z = 0).
The potential energy is V (z) = mgz. We have one here, one, the floor
and the other at z = a. The other turning point depends on the energy
of the ball (assume that the coefficient of restitution is unity). If the
energy is E, the turning point is E/mg. The quantization condition is
Z E/mg  
3
pdz = n + π~
0 4
p2
where, since E = + mgz, we have
2m
√
r
mgz
p(z) = 2mE 1 −
E
Thus
E/mg √ E/mg
Z Z r
mgz
pdz = 2mE 1− dz
0 0 E

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 mg E
Integral is done by substituting y = 1 − z, so that dz = − dy.
E mg
The quantization condition then becomes
1/2
√ 1 √ 8E 3
  
√
Z
E E 2 3
2mE ydy = 2mE × = = n+ π~
mg 0 mg 3 9mg 2 4
Thus for the energy levels are given by
1/3
9π 2
 
2 2 2 3
E= mg π ~ n +
8 4

1
7. A truncated harmonic oscillator has potential mω 2 (x2 −a2 ) for |x| < a
2
and is zero outside it. Find the WKB estimate for the bound state.
Under what condition (connecting m, ω and a, there is only one bound
state?
Solution:
This is a problem with two turning points. The turning points are
symmetric and given by x = ±c
1
E = mω 2 (c2 − a2 )
2
r
2E
so that c = + a2 . We have
mω 2
Z +c  
1
p(x)dx = n + π~
−c 2
r
p 2E √
Since p(x) = 2m(E − V ) = mω 2
+ a2 − x2 = mω c2 − x2 is
mω
even, the integral may be written as
Z c√  
2 2
π~ 1
2 c − x dx = n+
0 mω 2

The integral on the left is πc2 /4. Hence we have

 
2 π~ 1
πc /2 = n+
mω 2

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 Substituting for c2 , we have
 
2E 2~ 1
2
+ a2 = n+
mω mω 2

Hence
c2
  
1
E = ~ω n + − mω
2 2~
The condition for a single bound state is E0 < 0 but E1 > 0. Hence

c2 mω
1< <3
~

8. Using WKB approximation find the energy of a half harmonic oscillator.

1
For the half oscillator V (x) = mω 2 x2 for x > 0 and is infinite to the
2
left of x = 0. Hence it r
has one wall at x = 0 and another turning point
1 2E
at x = a where a = . The condition for the energy levels is
ω m
Z a  
3
p(x)dx = n + π~
0 4

We have,

√ √
r
1
p(x) = 2m E − mω 2 x2 = mω a2 − x2
2

Integrating, we get
Z a Z a √ π πE
p(x)dx = mω a2 − x2 dx = mωa2 =
0 0 4 2ω
Thus  
πE 3
= n+ π~
2ω 4
which gives  
3
En = 2n + ~ω
2

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9. Calculate the energy levels of an electron in s- state bound to a nucleus
Ze2
by the potential − . The electron may be viewed as having a rigid
r
wall as r = 0 and r = a where a is the turning point.
Solution:
Since the given state is an s− state, the centrifugal barrier term is zero.
Ze2 Ze2
There is one turning point at x = a where E = − =⇒ a = − .
a E
In addition, there is a wall at r = 0. The equation determining the
energy is given by
Z a  
3
p(r)dr = n+ π~
0 4
The expression on the left can be calculated as follows :
Z a Z as
Ze2
 
p(r)dr = 2m E + dr
0 0 r
Z ar  a
= 2mE 1 − dr
0 r
√
Z a r
a 
= −2mE − 1 dr
0 r
√ aπ
= −2mE
2
 
3
Equating this to n + π~, we get
4
m 1
En = − 2
(Ze2 )2  2
2~ 3
n+
4

This is the form for actual energy for large n for which the factor 3/4
in the denominator can be neglected.

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