2.

2 Schrdingers wave equation

Slides: Video 2.2.1 Schrdinger wave
equation introduction
Text reference: Quantum Mechanics
for Scientists and Engineers
Section Chapter 2 introduction

Schrdingers wave equation

Quantum mechanics for scientists and engineers

David Miller

2.2 Schrdingers wave equation

Slides: Video 2.2.2 From de Broglie to
Schrdinger
Text reference: Quantum Mechanics
for Scientists and Engineers
Sections 2.1 2.2

Schrdingers wave equation

From de Broglie to Schrdinger

Quantum mechanics for scientists and engineers

David Miller

Electrons as waves
de Broglies hypothesis is that the electron
wavelength is given by
h

p
where p is the electron momentum and
h is Plancks constant
h 6.62606957 1034 J s
Now we want to use this to help construct a
wave equation

A Helmholtz wave equation

If we are considering only waves of one
wavelength for the moment
i.e., monochromatic waves
we can choose a Helmholtz wave equation
d 2
2
2
k

with k
2
dz

which we know works for simple waves

with solutions like
sin(kz), cos(kz), and exp(ikz)
(and sin(kz), cos(kz), and exp(ikz))

A Helmholtz wave equation

In three dimensions, we can write this as
2
2
2

2 2 2 2 k 2
x
y
z

which has solutions like

sin(k r), cos(k r), and exp(ik r)
(and sin(-k r), cos(-k r), and exp(-ik r))
where k and r are vectors

From Helmholtz to Schrdinger

With de Broglies hypothesis h / p
and the definition k 2 /
then k 2 p / h p /
where we have defined h / 2
so k 2 p 2 / 2
Hence we can rewrite our Helmholtz equation
p2
2
2

or
2 2 p 2

From Helmholtz to Schrdinger

If we are thinking of an electron, we can
divide both sides by its mass mo to obtain
2 2
p2

2mo
2mo
But we know from classical mechanics that
p2
kinetic energy of electron
2mo
and in general

Total energy (E )=Kinetic energy + Potential energy (V r )

From Helmholtz to Schrdinger

So Kinetic energy = p 2 / 2mo

= Total energy (E ) - Potential energy (V r )

2 2
p2

Hence our Helmholtz equation

2mo
2mo
2 2
E V r
becomes the Schrdinger equation
2mo

or equivalently

2 2

V r E

2mo

Schrdingers time-independent equation

We can postulate a Schrdinger equation for
any particle of mass m
2 2

V r E

2m

Formally, this is the

time-independent Schrdinger equation

Probability densities
Borns postulate is that
the probability P r of finding an electron
near any specific point r in space
2
is proportional to the modulus squared r
of the wave amplitude r
2
r can therefore be viewed as a
probability density
with r called a probability amplitude
or a quantum mechanical amplitude

2.2 Schrdingers wave equation

Slides: Video 2.2.4 Diffraction by two
slits
Text reference: Quantum Mechanics
for Scientists and Engineers
Section 2.3 (first part)

Schrdingers wave equation

Diffraction by two slits

Quantum mechanics for scientists and engineers

David Miller

Youngs slits
An opaque mask has two slits cut in it, a distance s apart

Youngs slits
We shine a plane wave on the mask from the left

Youngs slits
What will be the pattern on a screen at a large distance zo?

zo

Youngs slits
The slits as point sources give an interference pattern

Youngs slits
The distance from the upper source to point x
2
on the screen is
2
x

s
/
2

o
xs/2
zo

s
2

x s / 2

z zo 1 x s / 2 / zo2
2

2
o

zo x s / 2 / 2 zo
2

zo x 2 / 2 zo s 2 / 8 zo sx / 2 zo

Youngs slits
The distance from the lower source to point x
on the screen is x s / 2 2 z 2
o

zo x s / 2 / 2 zo

s
2

zo x 2 / 2 zo s 2 / 8 zo sx / 2 zo

zo

xs/2

Youngs slits
For large zo the waves are approximately uniformly bright
i.e., using exponential waves for convenience
2
2
2

s x exp ik x s / 2 zo exp ik x s / 2 zo2

Using our approximate formulas for the distances gives

s x exp i exp ik sx / 2 zo exp ik sx / 2 zo

where k zo x 2 / 2 zo s 2 / 8 zo

Youngs slits
Now exp i exp i 2cos

sx
so s x exp i exp ik
2 zo

sx
exp ik

2
z
o

sx
sx
exp i cos k
exp i cos

2
z
z

o
so the intensity of the beam
2
1
2
s x cos sx / zo 1 cos 2 sx / zo
2

Youngs slits
The interference fringes are spaced by d s zo / s
ds

s
zo

Youngs slits
This allows us to measure small wavelengths d s s / zo
ds

s
zo

2.2 Schrdingers wave equation

Slides: Video 2.2.6 Interpreting
diffraction by two slits
Text reference: Quantum Mechanics
for Scientists and Engineers
Section 2.3 (second part)

Schrdingers wave equation

Interpreting diffraction by two slits

Quantum mechanics for scientists and engineers

David Miller

Youngs slits
If the upper slit is blocked no interference pattern

Youngs slits
If the lower slit is blocked no interference pattern