In this chapter we turn to a solution of the Schrodinger equation for a simple one dimensional potential as a tool for understanding the meaning of the wave function with an introduction to symmetry and conservation laws.
Research has been carried out to determine the physical meaning and derivation of the Schrodinger equation with the literature study research method. Based on the research results obtained through data processing in the form of information obtained from various literature sources, it can be concluded that the general solution of the Schrodinger equation is a wave function. In general, based on mathematical calculations by applying the technique of solving differential equations to the Schrodinger equation, it can be seen that this equation has many solutions, but not all of these solutions can be said to be functions that meet the wave function criteria. This wave function must be able to interpret the real physical criteria of a particle.
This chapter begins by exploiting the Einstein–de Broglie relation and the notion of symbol, as defined in Eq. (3.6.6). The following steps are the local and global conservation laws associated to the Schrödinger equation, the probabilistic interpretation of the wave function, the spreading of wave packets and transformation properties of wave functions. The solution of the Schrödinger equation for a given initial condition is then studied. For this purpose, one first expands the initial condition in terms of eigenfunctions of the Hamiltonian operator. This is then ‘propagated’ to determine the evolution of the wave function. Thus, one is led to consider the Green kernel of the Schrödinger equation, and the boundary conditions on the wave function that lead to complete knowledge of stationary states. A dynamics involving an isometric non-unitary operator is also studied. The chapter ends with an elementary introduction to harmonic oscillators and to the JWKB method in wave mechanics, plus examples on the Bohr–Sommerfeld quantization. From classical to wave mechanics The correspondence between differential operators and polynomials in k relies on the notion of the symbol defined in Eq. (3.6.6). Now we are aiming to pass from a function on phase space, i.e. the classical Hamiltonian, to an operator which, by analogy, is called the Hamiltonian operator. Such a transition is non-trivial because the map from symbols to operators contains some ambiguity. Such a transition is always possible if polynomials in p have constant coefficients. When this is not the case, i.e. if the coefficients are functions on the configuration space, there is an obvious ambiguity in the association of an operator with xp or px , for instance.
Abstract Chapter 7 illustrates the results obtained by applying the Schrödinger equation to a simple pedagogical quantum system, the particle in a one-dimensional box. The wave functions are seen to be sine waves; their wavelengths are evaluated and used to calculate the quantized energies via the de Broglie relation. An energy-level diagram of some of the energies is constructed; on it are illustrations of the corresponding wave functions and probability distributions. The wave functions are seen to be either symmetric or antisymmetric about the midpoint of the line representing the box, thereby providing a lead-in to the later exploration of certain symmetry properties of multi-electron atoms. It is next pointed out that the Schrödinger equation for this system is identical to Newton’s equation describing the vibrations of a stretched musical string. The different meaning of the two solutions is discussed, as is the concept and structure of linear superpositions of them.