One-dimensional potentials defined by $V^{(S)}(x) =S(S+1) \hbar^2 π^2 /[2ma^2\sin^2(πx/a)]$ (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 normalized 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 behavior 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.
The Parity-Time ($\mathcal{PT}$) symmetric potentials are derived by non-Hermitian supersymmetric quantum mechanics for square well and barrier. These $\mathcal{PT}$-supersymmetric square well and barrier. The partners have complex partners. The partners are isospectral with real energies. $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry is only unbroken for the bound states.
We find supersymmetric partners of a family of self-adjoint operators which are self-adjoint extensions of the differential operator $-d^2/dx^2$ on $L^2[-a,a]$, $a>0$, that is, the one dimensional infinite square well. First of all, we classify these self-adjoint extensions in terms of several choices of the parameters determining each of the extensions. There are essentially two big groups of extensions. In one, the ground state has strictly positive energy. On the other, either the ground state has zero or negative energy. In the present paper, we show that each of the extensions belonging t…
Gaussian Klauder coherent states are discussed in the context of the infinite well quantum model, otherwise known as the particle in a box. A supersymmetric partner system is also presented, as well as a construction of coherent states in this new system. We show that these states can be chosen, in both systems to have many properties usually expected for coherent states. In particular, they yield highly localised wave packets for a short period of time, which evolve in a quasi-classical manner and which saturate approximately Heisenberg uncertainty relation. These studies are elaborated in on…
Supersymmetry transformations of first and second order are used to generate Hamiltonians with known spectra departing from the harmonic oscillator with an infinite potential barrier. It is studied also the way in which the eigenfunctions of the initial Hamiltonian are transformed. The first and certain second order supersymmetric partners of the initial Hamiltonian possess third-order differential ladder operators. Since systems with this kind of operators are linked with the Painlevé IV equation, several solutions of this non-linear second-order differential equation will be simply found.
In a box of size $L$, a spatially antisymmetric square-well potential of a purely imaginary strength ${\rm i}g$ and size $l < L$ is interpreted as an initial element of the SUSY hierarchy of solvable Hamiltonians, the energies of which are all real for $g < g_c(l)$. The first partner potential is constructed in closed form and discussed.
The development in the study of supersymmetric many-particle quantum systems with inverse-square interactions is reviewed. The main emphasis is on quantum systems with dynamical OSp(2|2) supersymmetry. Several results related to exactly solved supersymmetric rational Calogero model, including shape invariance, equivalence to a system of free superoscillators and non-uniqueness in the construction of the Hamiltonian, are presented in some detail. This review also includes a formulation of pseudo-hermitian supersymmetric quantum systems with a special emphasis on rational Calogero model. There a…
We investigate the sine-square deformation (SSD) of free fermions in one-dimensional continuous space. On the basis of supersymmetric quantum mechanics, we prove the correspondence between the many-body ground state of the system with SSD and that of the uniform system with periodic boundary conditions. We also discuss the connection between the SSD in the continuous space and its lattice version, where the geometric correction due to the real-space deformation plays an important role in relating the eigenstates of the lattice SSD with those of the continuous SSD.
We give a lower bound for the energy of a quantum particle in the infinite square well. We show that the bound is exact and identify the well-known element that fulfils the equality. Our approach is not directly dependent on the Schroedinger equation and illustrates an example where the wavefunction is obtained directly by energy minimization. The derivation presented can serve as an example of a variational method in an undergraduate level university course in quantum mechanics.
Employing a transformation to hyperbolic space, we derive in a simple way exact solutions for the Klein-Gordon equation in an infinite square-well potential with one boundary moving at constant velocity, for the massless as well as for the massive case.
Using mainly two techniques, a point transformation and a time dependent supersymmetry, we construct in sequence several quantum infinite potential wells with a moving barrier. We depart from the well known system of a one-dimensional particle in a box. With a point transformation, an infinite square-well potential with a moving barrier is generated. Using time dependent supersymmetry, the latter leads to a trigonometric Pöschl-Teller potential with a moving barrier. Finally, a confluent time dependent supersymmetry transformation is implemented to generate new infinite potential wells, all of…
We investigate the phase diagram of hard-core bosons in two-leg ladders in the presence of soft-shoulder potentials. We show how the competition between local and non-local terms gives rise to a phase diagram with liquid phases with dominant cluster, spin-, and density-wave quasi-long-range ordering. These phases are separated by Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless, Gaussian, and supersymmetric (SUSY) quantum critical transitions. For the latter, we provide a phenomenological description of coupled SUSY conformal field theories, whose predictions are confirmed by matrix-product state simulations. …
We show that it needs a more delicate potential to confine particles inside a well. The original model containing a vague notation of infinity in the potential energy is ambiguous. Using the Heaviside step function and the Dirac delta-function, we give a precise form for the confining potential. Although such form appears unusual, the ambiguities are resolved. This form also shows that the infinite square well is not the limit of a finite square well.
Ehrenfest's theorem in the infinite square well is up to now only manifested indirectly. The manifestation of this theorem is first done in the finite square well, and then consider the infinite square well as the limit of the finite well. For a direct manifestation, we need a more precise formula to describe the degree of infiniteness of the divergent potential energy. We show that the potential energy term term, which is the product of the potential energy and the energy eigenfunction, is a well defined function which can be expressed in terms of Dirac delta functions. This means that the in…
This article is an illustration of the construction of coherent and generalized intelligent states which has been recently proposed by us for an arbitrary quantum system $[ 1] $. We treat the quantum system submitted to the infinite square well potential and the nonlinear oscillators. By means of the analytical representation of the coherent states à la Gazeau-Klauder and those à la Klauder-Perelomov, we derive the generalized intelligent states in analytical ways.
We examine the classical problem of an infinite square well by considering Hamilton's equations in one dimension and Hamilton-Jacobi equation for motion in two dimensions. We illustrate, by means of suitable examples, the nature of the periodic motion of a particle trapped inside the well.
We extend the standard treatment of the asymmetric infinite square well to include solutions that have zero curvature over part of the well. This type of solution, both within the specific context of the asymmetric infinite square well and within the broader context of bound states of arbitrary piecewise-constant potential energy functions, is not often discussed as part of quantum mechanics texts at any level. We begin by outlining the general mathematical condition in one-dimensional time-independent quantum mechanics for a bound-state wave function to have zero curvature over an extended re…
For a quantum confinement model, the wave function of a particle is zero outside the confined region. Due to this, the negative energy states are, in fact, square integrable. As negative energy states are not physical, we need to impose some boundary conditions in order to avoid these states. For the case of the infinite square well model, we show the possible boundary conditions that avoid the existence of the negative energy states. The well-known boundary condition requiring the wave function be continuous on both sides of the well is one of the boundary conditions that avoids negative ener…
The original model of the infinite square well contains a vague notation infinity and therefore results some ambiguities. We investigate to obtain a functional form for the potential energy V(x). This is done by substituting back the original energy eigenstates and eigenvalues into the Schrodinger equation. We then obtain a precise functional form of the V(x). From this reformed model, we show that energy eigenstates and eigenvalues can directly be obtained without the need of imposing boundary condition, Ehrenfest's theorem can directly be confirmed, and ambiguities in the original model can …
We analytically compute the time evolution of an initial infinite plane wave in the presence of a 1-dimensional square quantum barrier. This calculation generalizes the analysis of the shutter problem and sets the basis for the calculation of the transmission of general wave packets, aiming to work out the explicit contribution of the resonant (Gamow) states. The method relies mainly on the analytical properties of the Green function. The role of separate boundary conditions on the Green function and on the evolution equation is highlighted. As in previous works on related problems, only the d…
Supersymmetry allows one to build a hierarchy of Hamiltonians that share the same spectral properties and which are pairwise connected through common superpotentials. The iso-spectral properties of these Hamiltonians imply that the dynamics and therefore control of different eigenstates are connected through supersymmetric intertwining relations. In this work we explore how this enables one to study general dynamics, shortcuts to adiabaticity (STA) and quantum speed limits for distinct states of different supersymmetric partner potentials by using the infinite box as an example.
Supersymmetric ground state wave functions of a model of supersymmetric quantum mechanics on $S^1$ (supersymmetric simple pendulum) are studied. Supersymmetry can be broken due to the existence of an undetermined parameter, which is interpreted as a gauge field and appears as a firm consequence of quantization on a space with a nontrivial topology such as $S^1$. The breaking does not depend on the leading term of the superpotential, contrary to the usual case. The mechanism of supersymmetry breaking is similar to that through boundary conditions of fields in supersymmetric quantum field theory…
