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 Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical

Some exact results for the Schrödinger wave equation with a time-dependent potential

Joel F. Campbell

Published Aug 24, 2009• 26 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The time-dependent Schrödinger equation with a time-dependent delta function potential is solved exactly for many special cases. In all other cases the problem can be reduced to an integral equation of the Volterra type. It is shown that by knowing the wavefunction at the origin, one may derive the wavefunction everywhere. Thus, the problem is reduced from a PDE in two variables to an integral equation in one. These results are used to compare adiabatic versus sudden changes in the potential. It is shown that adiabatic changes in the potential lead to the conservation of the normalization of the probability density.

DOI
10.1088/1751-8113/42/36/365212

Related papers

Some Exact Results for the Schroedinger Wave Equation with a Time Dependent Potential

Joel F. Campbell

The time dependent Schroedinger equation with a time dependent delta function potential is solved exactly for many special cases. In all other cases the problem can be reduced to an integral equation of the Volterra type. It is shown that by knowing the wave function at the origin, one may derive the wave function everywhere. Thus, the problem is reduced from a PDE in two variables to an integral equation in one. These results are used to compare adiabatic versus sudden changes in the potential. It is shown that adiabatic changes in the p otential lead to conservation of the normalization of the probability density.

•Jan 1, 2009•0 citations

An Exact Solution to the Time-dependent Schrodinger Equation for a Model One-dimensional Potential

A. Petridis, L. P. Staunton, Jon Vermedahl +1 more

Analytical solutions to the time-dependent Shrödinger equation in one dimension are developed for time-independent potentials, one consisting of an infinite wall and a repulsive delta function. An exact solution is obtained by means of a convolution of time-independent solutions spanning the given Hilbert space with appropriately chosen spectral functions. Square-integrability and the boundary conditions are satisfied. The probability for the particle to be found inside the potential well is calculated and shown to exhibit non-exponential decay decreasing at large times as $t^{-3}$. The result is generalized for all square-integrable solutions to this problem.

arXiv:quant-ph/0403177•Mar 24, 2004•0 citations

Partial Differential Equation for the Time-Dependent Probability Densities of Quantum Mechanics

Morton D. Kostin

The Schrödinger equation for the wave functions is used to derive a linear partial differential equation for the time-dependent probability densities, ħ24m δ3P(x, t)δx3 = 2V(x) δPδx + V′P(x, t) − 2δε(x, t)δx − mδj(x, t)δt, where P(x, t), ε(x, t), j(x, t) are the time-dependent position, energy, and current densities, respectively. In the limiting case where the system is in the nth quantum state, it is shown that this partial differential equation reduces to the previously derived third-order ordinary differential equation for the probability position density.

American Journal of Physics•Sep 1, 1969•0 citations

Exactly Solvable Time-Dependent Problems: Potentials of Monotonously Decreasing Function of Time

Tae Jun Park

We solve the Schrodinger equation analytically for systems whose potentials have a certain time-dependence (which is monotonously decreasing) and general coordinate-dependences.Only a few time-dependent systems have been reported to be analytically solved whose potentials are constant, linear, and quadratic functions of coordinate with arbitrary time-dependences.From a different perspective, we focus on the time-dependent systems whose potentials are monotonously decreasing functions of time with arbitrary coordinate dependences.Time-dependent potential of any coordinate-dependence can be handled analytically by transforming it to a time-independent potential of known solutions if its time-dependence is monotonously decreasing.We do this by a unitary transformation of the wavefunction and variable transformations to change the Schrodinger equation to be time-independent in new variables.These variables are then determined by solving a set of simple differential equations.This way we are able to find and to obtain analytical solutions for time-dependent potentials which we mention above.

Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society•Dec 20, 2002•11 citations

Exact solutions for the inverse problem of the time-independent Schrödinger equation

Bhavika Bhalgamiya, M. A. Novotny

We introduce an “inverse method” for solving the time-independent Schrödinger equation. Rather than derive wave functions that are solutions for a given external potential V(r→), we ask the inverse question of which V(r→) will have a given probability density function P(r→). Several examples of ground states in one, two, and three dimensions are presented for both well-known and more exotic probability density functions in position space.

American Journal of Physics•Nov 21, 2024•1 citation

Exact Analytical and Numerical Solutions to the Time-Dependent Schrödinger Equation for a One-Dimensional Potential Exhibiting Non-Exponential Decay at All Times

A. Petridis, L. P. Staunton, Jon Vermedahl +1 more

The departure at large times from exponential decay in the case of resonance wavefunctions is mathematically demonstrated. Then, exact, analytical solutions to the time-dependent Schrödinger equation in one dimension are developed for a time-independent potential consisting of an infinite wall and a repulsive delta function. The exact solutions are obtained by means of a superposition of time-independent solutions spanning the given Hilbert space with appropriately chosen spectral functions for which the resulting integrals can be evaluated exactly. Square-integrability and the boundary conditions are satisfied. The simplest of the obtained solutions is presented and the probability for the particle to be found inside the potential well as a function of time is calculated. The system exhibits non-exponential decay for all times; the probability decreases at large times as . Other exact solutions found exhibit power law behavior at large times. The results are generalized to all normalizable solutions to this problem. Additionally, numerical solutions are obtained using the staggered leap-frog algorithm for select potentials exhibiting the prevalence of non-exponential decay at short times.

Journal of Modern Physics•Jan 1, 2010•6 citations
The time-dependent Schrödinger equation with a time-dependent delta function potential is solved exactly for many special cases. In all other cases the problem can be reduced to an integral equation of the Volterra type. It is shown that by knowing the wavefunction at the origin, one may derive the wavefunction everywhere. Thus, the problem is reduced from a PDE in two variables to an integral equation in one. These results are used to compare adiabatic versus sudden changes in the potential. It is shown that adiabatic changes in the potential lead to the conservation of the normalization of the probability density.
The time dependent Schroedinger equation with a time dependent delta function potential is solved exactly for many special cases. In all other cases the problem can be reduced to an integral equation of the Volterra type. It is shown that by knowing the wave function at the origin, one may derive the wave function everywhere. Thus, the problem is reduced from a PDE in two variables to an integral equation in one. These results are used to compare adiabatic versus sudden changes in the potential. It is shown that adiabatic changes in the p otential lead to conservation of the normalization of the probability density.
Analytical solutions to the time-dependent Shrödinger equation in one dimension are developed for time-independent potentials, one consisting of an infinite wall and a repulsive delta function. An exact solution is obtained by means of a convolution of time-independent solutions spanning the given Hilbert space with appropriately chosen spectral functions. Square-integrability and the boundary conditions are satisfied. The probability for the particle to be found inside the potential well is calculated and shown to exhibit non-exponential decay decreasing at large times as t−3t^{-3}t−3. The result is generalized for all square-integrable solutions to this problem.
The Schrödinger equation for the wave functions is used to derive a linear partial differential equation for the time-dependent probability densities, ħ24m δ3P(x, t)δx3 = 2V(x) δPδx + V′P(x, t) − 2δε(x, t)δx − mδj(x, t)δt, where P(x, t), ε(x, t), j(x, t) are the time-dependent position, energy, and current densities, respectively. In the limiting case where the system is in the nth quantum state, it is shown that this partial differential equation reduces to the previously derived third-order ordinary differential equation for the probability position density.
We solve the Schrodinger equation analytically for systems whose potentials have a certain time-dependence (which is monotonously decreasing) and general coordinate-dependences.Only a few time-dependent systems have been reported to be analytically solved whose potentials are constant, linear, and quadratic functions of coordinate with arbitrary time-dependences.From a different perspective, we focus on the time-dependent systems whose potentials are monotonously decreasing functions of time with arbitrary coordinate dependences.Time-dependent potential of any coordinate-dependence can be handled analytically by transforming it to a time-independent potential of known solutions if its time-dependence is monotonously decreasing.We do this by a unitary transformation of the wavefunction and variable transformations to change the Schrodinger equation to be time-independent in new variables.These variables are then determined by solving a set of simple differential equations.This way we are able to find and to obtain analytical solutions for time-dependent potentials which we mention above.
The departure at large times from exponential decay in the case of resonance wavefunctions is mathematically demonstrated. Then, exact, analytical solutions to the time-dependent Schrödinger equation in one dimension are developed for a time-independent potential consisting of an infinite wall and a repulsive delta function. The exact solutions are obtained by means of a superposition of time-independent solutions spanning the given Hilbert space with appropriately chosen spectral functions for which the resulting integrals can be evaluated exactly. Square-integrability and the boundary conditions are satisfied. The simplest of the obtained solutions is presented and the probability for the particle to be found inside the potential well as a function of time is calculated. The system exhibits non-exponential decay for all times; the probability decreases at large times as . Other exact solutions found exhibit power law behavior at large times. The results are generalized to all normalizable solutions to this problem. Additionally, numerical solutions are obtained using the staggered leap-frog algorithm for select potentials exhibiting the prevalence of non-exponential decay at short times.