MIDTERM II

QM1 Fall 2018

Prof. Carlos R. Ordóñez

SHOW ALL THE STEPS. DO NOT JUST QUOTE RESULTS.

1. Attractive Contact Interactions in One Dimension (40 pts.)

For this problem, work with units in which h̄ = 1 = m. Consider the 1D Dirac delta function potential

V (x) = −gδ(x). g>0

(a) Using Z ∞
1
ψ(x) = dkeikx ψ̃(k)
2π −∞
Z ∞
1
δ(x) = dkeikx ; δ(x)f (x) = δ(x)f (0)
2π −∞
show, for E = −EB < 0, that from the Schrodinger equation for the bound state problem in k-space one
gets
g2
EB = .
2
Remember Z
dy
= arctan(y) + C.
1 + y2
(b) From the homework, we found √
ψ(x) = κe−κ|x| , EB = 2κ2
gψ(0)
Using ψ̃(k) = k2
(which you must have derived in part (a)), find ψ(x) and show the result is the same
2+EB
as above (Hint: use the Fourier transform and contour integration to get the analytical expression for ψ(x))

2. Wavepackets (30 pts.)

(a) Generalities.
Let |ψi be a wavepacket at t = 0
Z
1
|ψ, t = 0i ≡ |ψi = √ dEg(E) |ψiE ,
2π
with
Ĥ |ψiE = E |ψiE , E0 hψ|ψiE = δ(E − E 0 ).
|g(E)| is peaked around E0 , with |∆E| << E0
I) If hψ|ψi = 1, what is I = |g(E)|2 dE?
R

II) Show that |ψi is not an eigenvector of Ĥ.

III) Find the expression (explicit) for |ψ, ti (as an integral over E).
IV) What is hψ, t|ψ, ti =?
V) Use the integral expression for |ψ, ti to show explicitely that it satisfies the time-dependent Schrodinger
Equation.

1
 (b) Consider the expression for the transmitted wavepacket
Z ∞
ψt (x, t) = θ(x) dkg(k)A2 (k)ei(qx−ωk t)
K0

where 
1, x>0
θ(x) =
0, x<0
2
k
g(k) (centered around k0 , for |∆k| << k0 ) and A2 are real, ωk = h̄ 2m and
r r
2mV0 2mE
q
q = k 2 − K02 , K0 = , k= > K0
h̄2 h̄2
I) Show all the steps and explain in detail all the arguments to find the equation for the motion of the
center of the transmitted wavepacket:
h̄t h̄q0
q
xt = k02 − K02 = t
m m
II) Where is this wavepacket for t < 0? (explain).
III) What is the group velocity of this wavepacket (magnitude and direction)?

3. Harmonic Oscillator (30 pts.)

Consider the bound states of the harmonic oscillator
p̂2 mω 2 2
 
1
Ĥ = + x̂ = h̄ω ↠â + ,
2m 2 2

with r    r 
mω p̂ mω† p̂
â = x̂ + i , â = x̂ − i , [â, ↠] = 1,
2h̄ mω 2h̄ mω
 
1
Ĥ |ni = En |ni = h̄ω n + |ni
2
√ √
↠|ni = n + 1 |n + 1i , â |ni = n |n − 1i , n = 0, 1, 2, ...
I) Find hn| x̂ |ki ; n, k = 0, 1, 2, ...
II) Consider the t = 0 wavepacket
∞
X
|ψ, t = 0i = cn |ni ,
n=0

What is cn =?
III) Find ψ(x, t) ≡ hx|ψ, ti . Show all the steps.
IV) Show that r ∞
h̄ X
hx̂i(t) = hψ, t| x̂ |ψ, ti = Ωn cos(ωt + δn )
2mω n=0

Find Ωn and δn in terms of |cn | and φn where

cn = |cn |eiφn .