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Physical Review A

Solution of the Schrödinger equation for the time-dependent linear potential

I. Guedes

Published Feb 12, 2001• 90 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper I have drawn out the steps to be followed in order to derive the exact Schr\"odinger wave function for a particle in a general one-dimensional time-dependent linear potential. To this end I have used the so-called Lewis and Riesenfeld invariant method, which is based on finding an exact quantum-mechanical invariant in whose eigenstates the exact quantum states are found. In particular, I have obtained the wave functions of a particle in the linear potential well, driven by a monochromatic electric field.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.63.034102

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By making use of the Lewis-Riesenfeld invariant theory, the solution of the Schrödinger equation for the time-dependent linear potential corresponding to the quadratic-form Lewis-Riesenfeld invariant $I_{\rm q}(t)$ is obtained in the present paper. It is emphasized that in order to obtain the general solutions of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, one should first find the complete set of Lewis-Riesenfeld invariants. For the present quantum system with a time-dependent linear potential, the linear $I_{\rm l}(t)$ and quadratic $I_{\rm q}(t)$ (where the latter $I_{\rm q}(t)$ cannot be written as the squared of the former $I_{\rm l}(t)$, {\it i.e.}, the relation $I_{\rm q}(t)= cI_{\rm l}^{2}(t)$ does not hold true always) will form a complete set of Lewis-Riesenfeld invariants. It is also shown that the solution obtained by Bekkar {\it et al.} more recently is the one corresponding to the linear $I_{\rm l}(t)$, one of the invariants that form the complete set. In addition, we discuss some related topics regarding the comment [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 68}, 016101 (2003)] of Bekkar {\it et al.} on Guedes's work [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 63}, 034102 (2001)] and Guedes's corresponding reply [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 68}, 016102 (2003)].

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Comment on "Solutions of the Schrödinger equation for the time-dependent linear potential''

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We show that the solution obtained by Bekkar {\it et al.} in their comment [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 68}, 016101 (2003)] on Guedes's work of solving the quantum system with a time-dependent linear potential is still {\it not} the {\it general} one of the Schrödinger equation. It is concluded that Bekkar {\it et al.}'s solution (corresponding to the linear Lewis-Riesenfeld invariant) and our solution (corresponding to the quadratic-form Lewis-Riesenfeld invariant) presented here will constitute together a complete set of solutions (general solutions) of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation of the system under consideration.

arXiv:quant-ph/0311002•Nov 1, 2003•0 citations

Quantum Dynamics of a Particle in a Linear Potential: Invariant Operator Approach and Discrete Spectrum Solutions

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We investigate the quantum dynamics of a particle subjected to a linear potential using the Lewis--Riesenfeld invariant operator method. Starting from the time-dependent Schrödinger equation associated with a constant external force, we construct the most general Hermitian quadratic invariant and derive the corresponding coupled differential equations for its time-dependent coefficients. By means of an appropriate sequence of unitary transformations, the invariant operator is reduced to the form of a harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian. This reduction enables a clear classification of the system according to the sign of the conserved quantity ω2. Particular attention is devoted to the physically relevant case ω2 >0, which yields a discrete eigenspectrum. Explicit analytical expressions for the invariant coefficients, the displacement parameters, and the transformed wave functions are obtained. The resulting formalism provides an exact quantum description of a particle under a constant force and establishes a direct connection between invariant theory and harmonic oscillator quantization.

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Lewis-Riesenfeld approach to the solutions of the Schrödinger equation in the presence of a time-dependent linear potential

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We reexamine the general solution of a Schr\"odinger equation in the presence of a time-dependent linear potential in configuration space based on the Lewis-Riesenfeld framework. For comparison, we also solve the problem in momentum space and then Fourier transform the solution to get the general wave function. Appropriately choosing the weight function in the latter method, we can obtain the same wave function as the former method. It is found that a non-Hermitian time-dependent linear invariant can be used to obtain Gaussian-type wave-packet solutions of the time-dependent system. This operator is a specific linear combination of the initial momentum and initial position operators. This fact indicates that the constants of integration such as the initial position and initial momentum that determine the classical motion play important roles in the time-dependent quantum system. The eigenfunction of the linear invariant is interpreted as a wave packet with a ``center of mass'' moving along the classical trajectory, while the ratio between the coefficients of the initial position and initial momentum determines the width of the wave packet.

arXiv:quant-ph/0309174•Physical Review A•Jan 5, 2005•34 citations
In this paper I have drawn out the steps to be followed in order to derive the exact Schr"odinger wave function for a particle in a general one-dimensional time-dependent linear potential. To this end I have used the so-called Lewis and Riesenfeld invariant method, which is based on finding an exact quantum-mechanical invariant in whose eigenstates the exact quantum states are found. In particular, I have obtained the wave functions of a particle in the linear potential well, driven by a monochromatic electric field.
By making use of the Lewis-Riesenfeld invariant theory, the solution of the Schrödinger equation for the time-dependent linear potential corresponding to the quadratic-form Lewis-Riesenfeld invariant Iq(t)I_{\rm q}(t)Iq​(t) is obtained in the present paper. It is emphasized that in order to obtain the general solutions of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, one should first find the complete set of Lewis-Riesenfeld invariants. For the present quantum system with a time-dependent linear potential, the linear Il(t)I_{\rm l}(t)Il​(t) and quadratic Iq(t)I_{\rm q}(t)Iq​(t) (where the latter Iq(t)I_{\rm q}(t)Iq​(t) cannot be written as the squared of the former Il(t)I_{\rm l}(t)Il​(t), {\it i.e.}, the relation Iq(t)=cIl2(t)I_{\rm q}(t)= cI_{\rm l}^{2}(t)Iq​(t)=cIl2​(t) does not hold true always) will form a complete set of Lewis-Riesenfeld invariants. It is also shown that the solution obtained by Bekkar {\it et al.} more recently is the one corresponding to the linear Il(t)I_{\rm l}(t)Il​(t), one of the invariants that form the complete set. In addition, we discuss some related topics regarding the comment [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 68}, 016101 (2003)] of Bekkar {\it et al.} on Guedes's work [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 63}, 034102 (2001)] and Guedes's corresponding reply [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 68}, 016102 (2003)].
We show that the solution obtained by Bekkar {\it et al.} in their comment [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 68}, 016101 (2003)] on Guedes's work of solving the quantum system with a time-dependent linear potential is still {\it not} the {\it general} one of the Schrödinger equation. It is concluded that Bekkar {\it et al.}'s solution (corresponding to the linear Lewis-Riesenfeld invariant) and our solution (corresponding to the quadratic-form Lewis-Riesenfeld invariant) presented here will constitute together a complete set of solutions (general solutions) of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation of the system under consideration.
We investigate the quantum dynamics of a particle subjected to a linear potential using the Lewis--Riesenfeld invariant operator method. Starting from the time-dependent Schrödinger equation associated with a constant external force, we construct the most general Hermitian quadratic invariant and derive the corresponding coupled differential equations for its time-dependent coefficients. By means of an appropriate sequence of unitary transformations, the invariant operator is reduced to the form of a harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian. This reduction enables a clear classification of the system according to the sign of the conserved quantity ω2. Particular attention is devoted to the physically relevant case ω2 >0, which yields a discrete eigenspectrum. Explicit analytical expressions for the invariant coefficients, the displacement parameters, and the transformed wave functions are obtained. The resulting formalism provides an exact quantum description of a particle under a constant force and establishes a direct connection between invariant theory and harmonic oscillator quantization.
We reexamine the general solution of a Schr\"odinger equation in the presence of a time-dependent linear potential in configuration space based on the Lewis-Riesenfeld framework. For comparison, we also solve the problem in momentum space and then Fourier transform the solution to get the general wave function. Appropriately choosing the weight function in the latter method, we can obtain the same wave function as the former method. It is found that a non-Hermitian time-dependent linear invariant can be used to obtain Gaussian-type wave-packet solutions of the time-dependent system. This operator is a specific linear combination of the initial momentum and initial position operators. This fact indicates that the constants of integration such as the initial position and initial momentum that determine the classical motion play important roles in the time-dependent quantum system. The eigenfunction of the linear invariant is interpreted as a wave packet with a ``center of mass'' moving along the classical trajectory, while the ratio between the coefficients of the initial position and initial momentum determines the width of the wave packet.