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arXiv:cond-mat/0011374 · Physical Review Letters

Divergence-Free WKB Method

Tadanori Hyouguchi, Satoshi Adachi, Masahito Ueda

Published Apr 11, 2002• 16 citations
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Abstract

A new semiclassical approach to the linear and nonlinear one-dimensional Schrödinger equation is presented. For both equations our zeroth-order solutions include nonperturbative quantum corrections to the WKB solution and the Thomas-Fermi solution, thereby allowing us to make uniformly converging perturbative expansions of the wave functions. Our method leads to a new quantization condition that yields exact eigenenergies for the harmonic-oscillator and Morse potentials.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.88.170404

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A new semiclassical approach to the linear and nonlinear one-dimensional Schrödinger equation is presented. For both equations our zeroth-order solutions include nonperturbative quantum corrections to the WKB solution and the Thomas-Fermi solution, thereby allowing us to make uniformly converging perturbative expansions of the wave functions. Our method leads to a new quantization condition that yields exact eigenenergies for the harmonic-oscillator and Morse potentials.
A long-standing problem and major shortcoming of semiclassical (WKB) bound-state wave functions is their divergence at the classical turning points. Presently available regularization schemes are accurate but rather complicated. It is shown how finite wave functions can be simply obtained by reorganizing the WKB perturbation expansion in powers of ℏ and retaining appropriate higher-order terms. The wave functions obtained by this method are compared with exactly known ones for the harmonic-oscillator and Morse potentials.
Solution of the Schrödinger's equation in the zero order WKB approximation is analyzed. We observe and investigate several remarkable features of the WKB0_00​ method. Solution in the whole region is built with the help of simple connection formulas we derive from basic requirements of continuity and finiteness for the wave function in quantum mechanics. We show that, for conservative quantum systems, not only total energy, but also momentum is the constant of motion. We derive the quantization conditions for two and more turning point problems. Exact energy eigenvalues for solvable and some ``insoluble'' potentials are obtained. The eigenfunctions have the form of a standing wave, Ancos⁡(knx+δn)A_n\cos(k_nx+δ_n)An​cos(kn​x+δn​), and are the asymptote of the exact solution.
We demonstrate that the Bargmann representation of quantum mechanics is ideally suited for semiclassical analysis, using as an example the WKB method applied to the bound-state problem in a single well of one degree of freedom. While the WKB expansion formulas are basically the usual ones, in this representation they describe approximations that are uniform and nonsingular in the classically allowed region of phase space because no turning points appear there. The quantization of energy levels relies on a complex contour integral that tests the eigenfunction for analyticity. For the harmonic oscillator, this WKB method trivially gives the exact eigenfunctions in addition to the exact eigenvalues. For an anharmonic well, a self-consistent variational choice of the representation greatly improves the accuracy of the semiclassical ground state. Also, a simple change of scale illuminates the relationship of semiclassical versus linear perturbative expansions, allowing a variety of multidimensional extensions. All in all, the Bargmann representation appears to combine the advantages of a linear description and of a phase-space representation of the quantum state vectors.
Semiclassical quantization is exact only for the so-called solvable potentials, such as the harmonic oscillator. In the nonsolvable case, the semiclassical phase, given by a series in $\ensuremath{\hbar}$, yields more or less approximate results and eventually diverges due to the asymptotic nature of the expansion. A quantum phase is derived to bypass these shortcomings. It achieves exact quantization of nonsolvable potentials and allows us to obtain the quantum wave function while locally approaching the best predivergent semiclassical expansion. An iterative procedure allowing us to implement practical calculations with a modest computational cost is also given. The theory is illustrated on two examples for which the limitations of the semiclassical approach were recently highlighted: cold atomic collisions and anharmonic oscillators in the nonperturbative regime.