Infinite Potential

Alberto G. Rojo, P. R. Berman

Abstract We address an interesting problem in elementary quantum mechanics, namely how can one obtain the momentum state eigenfunctions for the infinite square well potential as a direct solution of the time-independent Schrödinger equation in momentum space. The conventional method for obtaining the momentum state eigenfunctions for the infinite square well potential is to take the Fourier transform of the coordinate space eigenfunctions. Unfortunately, the Schrödinger equation in momentum space for the infinite well potential is not well-defined. As such we must use a potential whose Fourier transform is well-defined and then take a limit in which the potential approaches that of the infinite well potential. We present three approaches to the problem: one based on dimensional analysis, one in which the infinite well potential is viewed as the limit of a finite well whose depth approaches infinity, and one in which the infinite well potential is viewed as the limit of a power law potential in the limit that the power approaches infinity.

Noriaki Horiuchi

Qi Tang

First, this article explains the formula of one - dimensional infinitely deep square potential well's energy levels from stationary state schrodinger equation, and then deduces the same formula from one - dimensional half infinitely high square potential well' s energy levels diagram of graphic. solution, and proves that one - dimensional leveles are limit of one - dimensional half infinitely high square potential well' s energy levels. Finally it discusses the energy levels' number of one - dimensional half infinitely high square potential well and gives out the differentiateating formula about it.

Tong Liu, Xu Xia

Abstract The behavior of a quantum particle in an almost infinite deep potential is investigated. By means of analytical and numerical methods, it is demonstrated that even if the potential is infinitely deep, the particle's eigenstate can still be unbound, which contradicts the previous belief that an infinite deep potential can only sustain bound states. These findings shed new light on the eigenstate problem of quantum mechanics.