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arXiv:physics/0610121

How to Derive the Schrodinger Equation

David W. Ward, Sabine M. Volkmer

Published Oct 17, 2006• 19 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We illustrate a simple derivation of the Schrodinger equation, which requires only knowledge of the electromagnetic wave equation and the basics of Einstein's special theory of relativity. We do this by extending the wave equation for classical fields to photons, generalize to non-zero rest mass particles, and simplify using approximations consistent with non-relativistic particles.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.physics/0610121

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We illustrate a simple derivation of the Schrodinger equation, which requires only knowledge of the electromagnetic wave equation and the basics of Einstein's special theory of relativity. We do this by extending the wave equation for classical fields to photons, generalize to non-zero rest mass particles, and simplify using approximations consistent with non-relativistic particles.
In general, it is well known that the Schrödinger equation is not compatible with special relativity theory to a necessary extent.Thus far, there are already several trials to formulate versions of the Schrödinger equation to ensure compatibility with special relativity theory, the Klein-Gordon-equation or the Dirac equation are some of these attempts.Material and Methods: In this paper, Einstein's relativistic energy momentum relation is re-analyzed, a normalized relativistic energy momentum relation is derived.The derived normalized relativistic energy momentum relation together with the known Schrödinger equation is used as a starting point to establish a wave equation consistent with special relativity theory.Results: In this publication, based on Einstein's relativistic energy momentum relation, the historical problem of the "particle-wave-duality" is solved.Furthermore, a special relativity theory consistent wave equation is derived.
Derivation of Klein–Gordon equation Goals and prior knowledge The main wave equations of relativistic quantum mechanics are the Klein–Gordon, Dirac, Weyl , and Rarita–Schwinger equations. The principal aim of this chapter is to derive these, by means of the EPI principles (3.16) and (3.18). The derivations generally follow Frieden (1995), or Frieden and Soffer (1995), with numerous additions. In addition, the Schrödinger wave equation (SWE), which is non -relativistic, is also to be derived. Since rigorous use of EPI gives only relativistic wave equations (Chapter 3), EPI can only derive the SWE in some approximate sense. This is directly carried through in Appendix D, or by taking the well-known non-relativistic limit of the Klein–Gordon equation in Appendix G. Also, in Appendix D a simple EPI derivation of classical mechanics is obtained. In particular, in the limit h → 0 the EPI extremum condition (3.16) is found to give Newton's second law , and the zero-condition (3.18) gives the virial theorem , of classical mechanics. Other derived results are Eq. (4.17) – the equivalence of mass, momentum, and energy; the constancy of the Planck constant h (Sec. 4.1.14); the Compton wavelength as an ultimate resolution length (Sec. 4.1.17); and the Heisenberg uncertainty principle (Sec. 4.3). It is important to state what is assumed a priori . The relativistic properties of space and time coordinates were derived in Sec. 3.5. Hence, these are assumed here. Also, appropriate units for the concepts of mass and energy are assumed to be known, although the basic relation Eq. (4.17) between them is not presumed.
It is not possible to use the Schrödinger equation to describe the motion of a particle with relativistic effects since it is not invariant relative to the Lorentz transformation. However, the attempt to generalize quantum mechanics in the relativistic domain on the basis of the one particle theory is somehow difficult. So we find the appropriate equations on the basis of the relativistic invariance. To obtain the non-relativistic equations, we take the limit as the speed of light tends to infinity. This obviously recovers the Schrödinger equation. Under this heading, we extend the non-relativistic Schrödinger equation in the description of particles with speeds comparable with that of light. This extension should be consistent with the Lorentz transformation [ 12 ]. The characteristic feature of the relativistic wave equations is the spin which provides a useful gauge in the applicability of particular equations that describe particular kinds of particles. We have two types of relativistic equations, i.e., the equation with spin-zero due to Schrödinger and spin-half due to Dirac that describes the electron.
This paper focuses on the principle of time dependent Schrodinger equation (TDSE) which simplified so many reviewed ideas, class room teaching, research ideologies and personal study meant for advanced knowledge. In this research work,  the enlightenment of the basic concept of Schrodinger wave equation to improve knowledge about simple ways for mathematical understanding in deriving TDSE using different technique in more comprehensive approach. The research shows clearly that TDSE can be derived using time independent equation, wave mechanics, classical & Hamilton-Jacobi’s equations. Different methods and ways by different researchers/scholars have been used in the past. In this paper, we review the quantum field theoretic route to the Schrodinger wave equation which treats time and space as parameters, not operators. Furthermore, we recall that a classical (nonlinear) wave equation can be derived from the classical action via Hamiltonian-Jacobi theory. By requiring the wave equation to be linear we again arrive at the Schrodinger equation, without postulating operator relations. The underlying philosophy is operational. Surely, a particle is what a particle detector detects. This leads us to a useful physical picture combining the wave (field) and particle paradigms which points the way to the time-dependent Schrodinger equation. However, the result provides a comprehensive well derived derivation, derived using various approaches, which would make this research a unique one from different areas of specializations.