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arXiv:quant-ph/9511022 · Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General

Von Neumann - Wigner-type potentials and the wavefunctions' asymptotics for discrete levels in continuum

Anzor Khelashvili, Nicholoz Kiknadze

Published Jun 21, 1996• 7 citations
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Abstract

One-to-one correspondence between the decay law of von Neumann - Wigner-type potentials and the asymptotic behaviour of the wavefunctions representing `bound states' in the continuum is established.
DOI
10.1088/0305-4470/29/12/025

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We formulate a simple condition for reconstructibility of a certain class of Hamiltonians with real potentials from the knowledge of their complex-valued eigenfunctions. This may be relevant to the question of preparability of quantum states raised by W. Lamb in his 1969 paper on operational interpretation of quantum mechanics. Of particular interest to engineering applications are: (a) an exotic case of an upside-down harmonic-oscillator-type potential (a variation of the inverted "Mexican hat" potential) whose square-integrable complex eigenfunction describes a localized scattering state similar to the "bound state in the continuum" of von Neumann and Wigner, and (b) a spatially confined scattering state of a particle moving in an infinite well with the properly shaped potential bottom.
Abstract It is known that quantum systems yield non‐exponential (power law) decay on long time scales, associated with continuum threshold effects contributing to the survival probability for a prepared initial state. For an open quantum system consisting of a discrete state coupled to continuum, we study the case in which a discrete bound state of the full Hamiltonian approaches the energy continuum as the system parameters are varied. We find in this case that at least two regions exist yielding qualitatively different power law decay behaviors; we term these the long time ‘near zone’ and long time ‘far zone’. In the near zone the survival probability falls off according to a t‐1 power law, and in the far zone i t falls off as t‐3. We show that the timescale TQ separating these two regions is inversely related to the gap between the discrete bound state energy and the continuum threshold. In the case that the bound state is absorbed into the continuum and vanishes, then the time scale TQ diverges and the survival probability follows the t‐1 power law even on asymptotic scales. Conversely, one could study the case of an anti‐bound state approaching the threshold before being ejected from the continuum to form a bound state. Again the t‐1 power law dominates precisely at the point of ejection.