Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Applied Physics

Solving the one-dimensional quantum mechanics problems using the matter wave multireflection

W. Polak

Published Jul 15, 1993• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

This article presents a simple, yet general and exact analytic-numerical method of solving one-dimensional quantum mechanics problems. It is based on the concept of dividing an arbitrary potential into convenient segments and analyzing the multiple reflection of a plane matter wave between neighboring potential walls. Amplitude reflection and transmission coefficients of each segment are the basis for the analysis. A simple iterative technique for calculating them by a square barrier approximation is given. This method is applicable to various potential barriers, wells, and periodic structures including continuous variations of potential energy and particle effective mass.

DOI
10.1063/1.355329

Related papers

Application of the variational $R$-matrix method to one-dimensional quantum tunneling

Joseph Kimeu, Mai, Roland, Kingshuk Majumdar

We have applied the variational $R$-matrix method to calculate the reflection and tunneling probabilities of particles tunneling through one-dimensional potential barriers for five different types of potential profiles -- truncated linear step, truncated exponential step, truncated parabolic, bell-shaped, and Eckart. Our variational results for the transmission and reflection coefficients are compared with exact analytical results and results obtained from other numerical methods. We find that our results are in good agreement with them. We conclude that the variational $R$-matrix method is a simple, non-iterative, and effective method to solve one-dimensional quantum tunneling problems.

arXiv:quant-ph/0407249•Jul 29, 2004•3 citations

One-dimensional scattering: Recurrence relations and differential equations for transmission and reflection amplitudes

M. G. Rozman, P. Reineker, R. Tehver

A recurrence method for analytical and numerical evaluation of tunneling, transmission, and reflection amplitudes is developed. As the first step, a rule for composition of two arbitrary scatterers separated by a region of constant potential is obtained. Transmission and reflection amplitudes for this double-barrier potential are expressed in terms of transmission and reflection amplitudes for its subparts. As the length of the constant-potential region can be arbitrary and the subparts of a potential may, in turn, be arbitrary segmented potentials, one obtains formulas recurerence formulas which express the scattering amplitudes for the arbitrary segmented potential via the scattering amplitudes for the subparts into which the complete potential can be divided. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated by solving analytically the problem of scattering from locally periodic potentials. Since an arbitrary potential can be approximated by a set of infinitely narrow rectangular barriers, the recurrence formulas can be applied to any potential, giving, in the limit of zero-width segments, differential equations for transmission, and reflection amplitudes.

Physical Review A•May 1, 1994•37 citations

Variational R -matrix method for quantum tunneling problems

Hervé Le Rouzo

A variational R-matrix method for solving the one-dimensional time-independent Schrödinger equation is presented. The theory is simple and general and applies to an arbitrary potential. As an example, the method is applied to the pedagogically important problem of quantum tunneling through a barrier. Accurate transmission and reflection coefficients are obtained by the variational R-matrix method which compare favorably with the known analytical solutions.

American Journal of Physics•Feb 13, 2003•8 citations

Exact solution of the Schrodinger equation across an arbitrary one-dimensional piecewise-linear potential barrier

Wayne W. Lui, Masao Fukuma

A simple yet exact method of solving the Schrodinger equation across an arbitrary one-dimensional piecewise-linear potential is described. It is based on the analytical solution of the Schrodinger equation across a linear potential, where the solution can be expressed as a linear combination of the Airy functions. Proper boundary conditions are imposed at the interface between adjacent linear intervals of the potential, and a transfer-matrix procedure is utilized in the derivation. The quantum mechanical transmission coefficient across a potential barrier and eigenenergies of a potential well can also be easily calculated using this method.

Journal of Applied Physics•Sep 1, 1986•208 citations

Analysis of One-dimensional Double-potential Barrier Structures Resonant Tunnelling Based on Transmission Matrices

Zihan Zhang

The comprehension of the tunnel effect, the passage of matter waves and particles across a high potential barrier, was the most astounding of all discoveries in quantum mechanics. Research on tunnelling in semiconductors and superconductors, as well as the development of scanning tunnelling microscopy, garnered five Nobel prizes in physics. In this study, the resonant tunnelling effect of electron tunnelling through a one-dimensional double-potential barrier was found and verified by solving the time-independent Schrödinger equation and calculating the transmittance rate of the electron tunnelling through the two potential barriers by using the transmission matrix technique performed by MATLAB. According to the analysis, the transmittance rate was one under certain specific conditions (under some specific incident energy values or some specific distance between two potential barriers), which was called as resonant tunnelling. However, in this study, square potential wells were analyzed, which can be considered merely as ideal models in real life, and therefore all results are idealized. For further investigations, researchers can use more realistic parameters to set up potential wells and analyze real-life problems.

Highlights in Science Engineering and Technology•Jun 11, 2024•0 citations

Computational method for the quantum Hamilton-Jacobi equation: One-dimensional scattering problems

Chia‐Chun Chou, Róbert E. Wyatt

One-dimensional scattering problems are investigated in the framework of the quantum Hamilton-Jacobi formalism. First, the pole structure of the quantum momentum function for scattering wave functions is analyzed. The significant differences of the pole structure of this function between scattering wave functions and bound state wave functions are pointed out. An accurate computational method for the quantum Hamilton-Jacobi equation for general one-dimensional scattering problems is presented to obtain the scattering wave function and the reflection and transmission coefficients. The computational approach is demonstrated by analysis of scattering from a one-dimensional potential barrier. We not only present an alternative approach to the numerical solution of the wave function and the reflection and transmission coefficients but also provide a computational aspect within the quantum Hamilton-Jacobi formalism. The method proposed here should be useful for general one-dimensional scattering problems.

Physical Review E•Dec 19, 2006•37 citations
This article presents a simple, yet general and exact analytic-numerical method of solving one-dimensional quantum mechanics problems. It is based on the concept of dividing an arbitrary potential into convenient segments and analyzing the multiple reflection of a plane matter wave between neighboring potential walls. Amplitude reflection and transmission coefficients of each segment are the basis for the analysis. A simple iterative technique for calculating them by a square barrier approximation is given. This method is applicable to various potential barriers, wells, and periodic structures including continuous variations of potential energy and particle effective mass.
Application of the variational RRR-matrix method to one-dimensional quantum tunneling
We have applied the variational RRR-matrix method to calculate the reflection and tunneling probabilities of particles tunneling through one-dimensional potential barriers for five different types of potential profiles -- truncated linear step, truncated exponential step, truncated parabolic, bell-shaped, and Eckart. Our variational results for the transmission and reflection coefficients are compared with exact analytical results and results obtained from other numerical methods. We find that our results are in good agreement with them. We conclude that the variational RRR-matrix method is a simple, non-iterative, and effective method to solve one-dimensional quantum tunneling problems.
A recurrence method for analytical and numerical evaluation of tunneling, transmission, and reflection amplitudes is developed. As the first step, a rule for composition of two arbitrary scatterers separated by a region of constant potential is obtained. Transmission and reflection amplitudes for this double-barrier potential are expressed in terms of transmission and reflection amplitudes for its subparts. As the length of the constant-potential region can be arbitrary and the subparts of a potential may, in turn, be arbitrary segmented potentials, one obtains formulas recurerence formulas which express the scattering amplitudes for the arbitrary segmented potential via the scattering amplitudes for the subparts into which the complete potential can be divided. The efficiency of the method is demonstrated by solving analytically the problem of scattering from locally periodic potentials. Since an arbitrary potential can be approximated by a set of infinitely narrow rectangular barriers, the recurrence formulas can be applied to any potential, giving, in the limit of zero-width segments, differential equations for transmission, and reflection amplitudes.
A simple yet exact method of solving the Schrodinger equation across an arbitrary one-dimensional piecewise-linear potential is described. It is based on the analytical solution of the Schrodinger equation across a linear potential, where the solution can be expressed as a linear combination of the Airy functions. Proper boundary conditions are imposed at the interface between adjacent linear intervals of the potential, and a transfer-matrix procedure is utilized in the derivation. The quantum mechanical transmission coefficient across a potential barrier and eigenenergies of a potential well can also be easily calculated using this method.
The comprehension of the tunnel effect, the passage of matter waves and particles across a high potential barrier, was the most astounding of all discoveries in quantum mechanics. Research on tunnelling in semiconductors and superconductors, as well as the development of scanning tunnelling microscopy, garnered five Nobel prizes in physics. In this study, the resonant tunnelling effect of electron tunnelling through a one-dimensional double-potential barrier was found and verified by solving the time-independent Schrödinger equation and calculating the transmittance rate of the electron tunnelling through the two potential barriers by using the transmission matrix technique performed by MATLAB. According to the analysis, the transmittance rate was one under certain specific conditions (under some specific incident energy values or some specific distance between two potential barriers), which was called as resonant tunnelling. However, in this study, square potential wells were analyzed, which can be considered merely as ideal models in real life, and therefore all results are idealized. For further investigations, researchers can use more realistic parameters to set up potential wells and analyze real-life problems.
One-dimensional scattering problems are investigated in the framework of the quantum Hamilton-Jacobi formalism. First, the pole structure of the quantum momentum function for scattering wave functions is analyzed. The significant differences of the pole structure of this function between scattering wave functions and bound state wave functions are pointed out. An accurate computational method for the quantum Hamilton-Jacobi equation for general one-dimensional scattering problems is presented to obtain the scattering wave function and the reflection and transmission coefficients. The computational approach is demonstrated by analysis of scattering from a one-dimensional potential barrier. We not only present an alternative approach to the numerical solution of the wave function and the reflection and transmission coefficients but also provide a computational aspect within the quantum Hamilton-Jacobi formalism. The method proposed here should be useful for general one-dimensional scattering problems.