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

The Journal of Chemical Physics

Momentum Autocorrelation Function of a Particle in a One-Dimensional Box

J. M. Deutch, James L. Kinsey, R. Silbey

Published Aug 1, 1970• 7 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The momentum autocorrelation function of a particle in a one-dimensional box is calculated both classically and quantum mechanically. The classical function is found by using the eigenfunctions of the Liouville operator for the system. The quantum-mechanical function is calculated and shown to be a non-analytic function of ℏ.
DOI
10.1063/1.1674095

Related papers

Elementary calculation for the momentum correlation function of a particle in a one-dimensional box

Sungwoon Kim

An elementary method for the calculation of the momentum autocorrelation function of a particle in a one-dimensional box is presented.

American Journal of Physics•Jan 1, 1977•0 citations

Quantum Mechanics and Liouville's Equation

Michael Nauenberg

In non-relativistic quantum mechanics, the absolute square of Schrödinger's wave function for a particle in a potential determines the probability of finding it either at a position or momentum at a given time. In classical mechanics the corresponding problem is determined by the solution of Liouville's equation for the probability density of finding the joint position and momentum of the particle at a given time. Integrating this classical solution over either one of these two variables can then be compared with the probability in quantum mechanics. For the special case that the force is a constant, it is shown analytically that for an initial Gaussian probability distribution, the solution of Liouville's integrated over momentum is equal to Schrödinger's probability function in coordinate space, provided the coordinate and momentum initial widths of this classical solution satisfy the minimal Heisenberg uncertainty relation. Likewise, integrating Lioville's solution over position is equal to Schrödinger's probability function in momentum space. Quanta 2017; 6: 53–56.

Quanta•Sep 9, 2017•0 citations

When the classical & quantum mechanical considerations hint to a single point; a microscopic particle in a one dimensional box with two infinite walls and a linear potential inside it

Majid Monajjemi, K. Zare, A.R. Zieglari

In this paper we have solved analytically the Schrodinger equation for a microscopic particle in a one-dimensional box with two infinite walls, which the potential function inside it, has a linear form. Based on the solutions of this special quantum mechanical system, we have shown that as the quantum number approaches infinity the expectation values of microscopic particle position and square of the linear momentum are equal to the classical time average of particle position and its square of the linear momentum, respectively.

Journal of Physical & Theoretical Chemistry•Feb 1, 2006•0 citations

Autocorrelation function of eigenstates in chaotic and mixed systems

Arnd Bäcker, Roman Schubert

We study the autocorrelation function of different types of eigenfunctions in quantum mechanical systems with either chaotic or mixed classical limits. We obtain an expansion of the autocorrelation function in terms of the correlation distance. For localized states in billiards, like bouncing ball modes or states living on tori, a simple model using only classical input gives good agreement with the exact result. In particular, a prediction for irregular eigenfunctions in mixed systems is derived and tested. For chaotic systems, the expansion of the autocorrelation function can be used to test quantum ergodicity on different length scales.

arXiv:nlin/0106018•Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General•Jan 14, 2002•39 citations

Analytic results for Gaussian wave packets in four model systems: II. Autocorrelation functions

Robinett, R W, Bassett, L C

The autocorrelation function, A(t), measures the overlap (in Hilbert space) of a time-dependent quantum mechanical wave function, psi(x,t), with its initial value, psi(x,0). It finds extensive use in the theoretical analysis and experimental measurement of such phenomena as quantum wave packet revivals. We evaluate explicit expressions for the autocorrelation function for time-dependent Gaussian solutions of the Schrodinger equation corresponding to the cases of a free particle, a particle undergoing uniform acceleration, a particle in a harmonic oscillator potential, and a system corresponding to an unstable equilibrium (the so-called `inverted' oscillator.) We emphasize the importance of momentum-space methods where such calculations are often more straightforwardly realized, as well as stressing their role in providing complementary information to results obtained using position-space wavefunctions.

•Jan 1, 2004•4 citations

Non-Hermitian momentum operator for the particle in a box

S. Kim, Alexander Rothkopf

We construct a discrete non-Hermitian momentum operator, which implements faithfully the non-self-adjoint nature of momentum for a particle in a box. Its eigenfunctions are strictly limited to the interior of the box in the continuum limit, with the quarter wave as first nontrivial eigenstate. We show how to construct the corresponding Hermitian Hamiltonian for the infinite well as a concrete example to realize unitary dynamics. The resulting Hilbert space can be decomposed into a physical and unphysical subspace, which are mutually orthogonal. The physical subspace in the continuum limit reproduces that of the continuum theory and we give numerical evidence that the correct probability distributions for momentum and energy are recovered. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

arXiv:2403.13558•Physical Review Research•Aug 12, 2024•4 citations
In non-relativistic quantum mechanics, the absolute square of Schrödinger's wave function for a particle in a potential determines the probability of finding it either at a position or momentum at a given time. In classical mechanics the corresponding problem is determined by the solution of Liouville's equation for the probability density of finding the joint position and momentum of the particle at a given time. Integrating this classical solution over either one of these two variables can then be compared with the probability in quantum mechanics. For the special case that the force is a constant, it is shown analytically that for an initial Gaussian probability distribution, the solution of Liouville's integrated over momentum is equal to Schrödinger's probability function in coordinate space, provided the coordinate and momentum initial widths of this classical solution satisfy the minimal Heisenberg uncertainty relation. Likewise, integrating Lioville's solution over position is equal to Schrödinger's probability function in momentum space. Quanta 2017; 6: 53–56.
In this paper we have solved analytically the Schrodinger equation for a microscopic particle in a one-dimensional box with two infinite walls, which the potential function inside it, has a linear form. Based on the solutions of this special quantum mechanical system, we have shown that as the quantum number approaches infinity the expectation values of microscopic particle position and square of the linear momentum are equal to the classical time average of particle position and its square of the linear momentum, respectively.
We study the autocorrelation function of different types of eigenfunctions in quantum mechanical systems with either chaotic or mixed classical limits. We obtain an expansion of the autocorrelation function in terms of the correlation distance. For localized states in billiards, like bouncing ball modes or states living on tori, a simple model using only classical input gives good agreement with the exact result. In particular, a prediction for irregular eigenfunctions in mixed systems is derived and tested. For chaotic systems, the expansion of the autocorrelation function can be used to test quantum ergodicity on different length scales.
The autocorrelation function, A(t), measures the overlap (in Hilbert space) of a time-dependent quantum mechanical wave function, psi(x,t), with its initial value, psi(x,0). It finds extensive use in the theoretical analysis and experimental measurement of such phenomena as quantum wave packet revivals. We evaluate explicit expressions for the autocorrelation function for time-dependent Gaussian solutions of the Schrodinger equation corresponding to the cases of a free particle, a particle undergoing uniform acceleration, a particle in a harmonic oscillator potential, and a system corresponding to an unstable equilibrium (the so-called `inverted' oscillator.) We emphasize the importance of momentum-space methods where such calculations are often more straightforwardly realized, as well as stressing their role in providing complementary information to results obtained using position-space wavefunctions.
We construct a discrete non-Hermitian momentum operator, which implements faithfully the non-self-adjoint nature of momentum for a particle in a box. Its eigenfunctions are strictly limited to the interior of the box in the continuum limit, with the quarter wave as first nontrivial eigenstate. We show how to construct the corresponding Hermitian Hamiltonian for the infinite well as a concrete example to realize unitary dynamics. The resulting Hilbert space can be decomposed into a physical and unphysical subspace, which are mutually orthogonal. The physical subspace in the continuum limit reproduces that of the continuum theory and we give numerical evidence that the correct probability distributions for momentum and energy are recovered. Published by the American Physical Society 2024