American Journal of Physics
Center-of-mass properties of composite systems subject to nonlinear external interactions
James A. Lock
Abstract
If two bound nonrelativistic quantum particles are each subject to a nonlinear external potential, their Schrödinger equation does not separate in relative and center-of-mass coordinates. For this case, the details of internal state of the composite affect its center-of-mass properties. The extent of this internal state influence is examined for an exactly soluble one-dimensional model system.