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Journal of Physics Conference Series

Symmetry Analysis of the Square Well Potential

Eduardo Suárez, Rubén Darío Santiago Acosta, R. Lemus

Published Feb 1, 2023• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract Symmetry considerations are taken into account when a particle in a square well potential is studied. This system may display natural degeneracy, accidental degeneracy or systematic accidental degeneracy depending on the depth of the potential. In order to obtain the solutions associated with an arbitrary potential an algebraic discrete variable representation approach based on Pöschl-Teller functions is proposed. It is proved that the geometrical group C 4v is the symmetry group of the system for the case of a finite potential barrier. A similar analysis is carried out for the rectangular square well potential with commensurate sides. In both cases the symmetry projection is crucial to simplify the calculations.

DOI
10.1088/1742-6596/2448/1/012008

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Abstract Symmetry considerations are taken into account when a particle in a square well potential is studied. This system may display natural degeneracy, accidental degeneracy or systematic accidental degeneracy depending on the depth of the potential. In order to obtain the solutions associated with an arbitrary potential an algebraic discrete variable representation approach based on Pöschl-Teller functions is proposed. It is proved that the geometrical group C 4v is the symmetry group of the system for the case of a finite potential barrier. A similar analysis is carried out for the rectangular square well potential with commensurate sides. In both cases the symmetry projection is crucial to simplify the calculations.
When the symmetry group of a quantum particle in an impenetrable cubic well potential is considered to be the group, systematic accidental degeneracy appears. This degeneracy becomes natural when a new symmetry group, embedding the group, is proposed. This new group turns out to be the semidirect product , where is a two-dimensional compact continuous group whose generators correspond to linear combinations of the one-dimensional Hamiltonians. The systematic degeneracy is studied in detail, the new group is identified and its irreducible representations are constructed by means of induction, an approach that allows the irreducibility and completeness to be assured. Similar to the hydrogen atom, we establish a one-to-one reciprocation between the energy and the new group irreducible representations. The impenetrable rectangular and square boxes are also analyzed as a reduction of symmetry from the cubic system. Pythagorean degeneracy as well as that due to commensurable sides is not considered.
A quantum particle in a impenetrable cubic well potential presents accidental degeneracy when the group is considered to be the symmetry group of the system. This degeneracy becomes natural when a new symmetry group, embedding the group, is proposed. This new group turns out to be the semidirect product , where is a two-dimensional compact continuous group whose generators correspond to linear combinations of the one-dimensional Hamiltonians. The systematic degeneracy is studied in detail, the new group is identified and its irreducible representations (irreps) are constructed by means of induction, an approach that allows the irreducibility and completeness to be assured. Pythagorean degeneracy as well as the one due to commensurable sides are not considered.
Abstract One-dimensional potentials defined by V ( S ) ( x ) = S ( S + 1 ) ℏ 2 π 2 / [ 2 ma 2 sin 2 ( π x / a ) ] (for integer S ) arise in the repeated supersymmetrization of the infinite square well, here defined over the region (0, a ). We review the derivation of this hierarchy of potentials and then use the methods of supersymmetric quantum mechanics, as well as more familiar textbook techniques, to derive compact closed-form expressions for the normalised solutions, ψ n ( S ) ( x ) , for all V ( S ) ( x ) in terms of well-known special functions in a pedagogically accessible manner. We also note how the solutions can be obtained as a special case of a family of shape-invariant potentials, the trigonometric Pöschl–Teller potentials, which can be used to confirm our results. We then suggest additional avenues for research questions related to, and pedagogical applications of, these solutions, including the behaviour of the corresponding momentum-space wave functions ϕ n ( S ) ( p ) for large ∣ p ∣ and general questions about the supersymmetric hierarchies of potentials which include an infinite barrier.
Abstract We present details of a new solution method for the bound energy states of a quantum particle in a one-dimensional symmetric finite square well potential. The solution is obtained in a clear way by introducing a simple method that relies on the use of two auxiliary functions. The approach is straightforward and leads to the well-known even and odd parity wave function solutions of the problem without having to do any a priori assumptions about the nature or symmetry of the quantum states.