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SSD03

1. The Schrodinger equation describes the wave-like behavior of particles and can be used to model electrons in different scenarios. 2. For a free electron, the Schrodinger equation allows for continuous energy values. For an electron confined in an infinite potential well, only discrete energy levels are allowed. 3. The Schrodinger equation can also model quantum tunneling, where there is a finite probability that an electron can penetrate a potential barrier that is higher than its energy, which is not predicted by classical mechanics.

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AKHIL REDDY JAMBULA
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11 views25 pages

SSD03

1. The Schrodinger equation describes the wave-like behavior of particles and can be used to model electrons in different scenarios. 2. For a free electron, the Schrodinger equation allows for continuous energy values. For an electron confined in an infinite potential well, only discrete energy levels are allowed. 3. The Schrodinger equation can also model quantum tunneling, where there is a finite probability that an electron can penetrate a potential barrier that is higher than its energy, which is not predicted by classical mechanics.

Uploaded by

AKHIL REDDY JAMBULA
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Schrodinger Equation

Schrodinger Equation
• Incorporated the quantum theory proposed by Plank and the wave like
nature of the matter proposed by de Broglie.
• Schrodinger equation: Wave mechanics
• Newton’s laws: Classical mechanics
• Maxwell’s equations: Electromagnetic theory
Schrodinger Equation…
• Schrodinger Equation in steady state - expresses the probability of location of a
particle at a point in space where the wave function ψ(x,y,z) is a measure of that
probability.
• Time independent Schrodinger equation
ψ +8+(E-W) ψ =0
m: mass of the particle
W: potential energy of the particle
E: total energy of the particle
Equation of a Wave
When applied to electron waves
• m: mass of electron
It gives a measure of probability of finding a given electron at a certain
location.
dV: probability that a particle with potential energy W and total energy E
will be located in the spatial volume dV at the point resulting from ψ (x,y,z).
• When a particle moves in a force field, such that change of potential
occurs over distances that are very large compared with the wavelength
associated with the particle, the laws of Newtonian mechanics are
applicable.
• If the change in potential occurs over distances comparable to the
wavelength associated with the particle, (as in the case of the periodic
potential of a crystal), then Newtonian mechanics doesn’t apply and the
wave nature of the particle gives rise to a completely new phenomenon.
Summary
1. The electron is not be regarded as a wave, but as particle, with an
associated hypothetical de Broglie wave.
2. Over a small region, where the electron is known to exist, a probably
‘wave packet’ could be set up.
Ψ(x)

x0

•Localized
•Particle is more likely to be at x0.
•Over a distance >λ, the motion of the electron – motion of the wave packet.
• The probability of locating the electron at a certain point – solution of Schrodinger’s
equation.
• For finding ψ, two postulates are important.
• Postulates
1. ψ and its first derivative are finite, continues, single-valued.
2. The probability per unit volume of finding a particle at a particular position and at a
certain instant of time is ψψ*.(probability: positive quantity)
over the entire volume = 1
dxdydz=1
Solution of Schrodinger equation
1. Free electron
2. Electron in a potential well (Bound electron)
3. Finite potential Barrier (Tunnel effect)
4. Electron in a periodic Field of a crystal (the solid state)
ψ +8(E-W) ψ =0
ψ +(E-W) ψ = 0 where ħ=
Case I: Free electron

Consider electrons that propagate freely, ie. in a potential free space in the
+x direction.
i.e. ‘No Wall’ or No potential barrier to restrict.
The potential energy W=0 and the Schrodinger equation reduces to,
+ E ψ =0
Solution: ψ(x) = where α=
The solution exists for all values of α or E.
=
E=
ie. ψ(x) exists for all values of E or all energy levels. Thus a continuous band
is obtained.
Free-flying electron – all values of energy are allowed.
α=E=, p=mv, E=ħ=, p
α = = k = wave number
p (= mv)
Momentum – vector
k: wave vector
=
Case II: Electron in a potential well (Bound Electron)

 Electron bound to its nucleus


∞ ∞
 Infinite potential well
 Potential barriers don’t allow the electrons to escape from the well Well
v v
i.e. ψ(x)=0, x=0
ψ(x)=0, at x=a X= 0
*
nucleus X = a x

 Assume the electron propagates in x direction


 In this case electron is reflected on the walls of the well – positive and negative x-direction
 Potential energy inside the well is zero as before
Schrodinger equation for an electron in this region
+ Eψ=0
Solution: Two propagation directions (+x and –x)
ψ+ where α=
At x=0, ψ(x)=0 or 0=A+B B=-A
At x=a, ψ(x)=0
0=+
i.e. 0 =
A[2j sin(]=0
2Aj sin()=0
sin()=0 or =n (
=k=wave number
α== where =
=
Or En = , where n – integer
Probability of locating the electron at any x is,
ψ(x)+, and B=-A
ψαx
4A2sin2αx

4A2 (sin )2=


The particle spends most of the time at the point at which is maximum.

En =
Thus the solution of Schrodinger equation exists only for certain energy values.
Therefore certain discrete energy levels exist , E1, E2, E3, ….En exist in the case of an
in a potential well (bound electron).
• Previous result means that the energy of the particle is quantized.
• That is, the energy of the particle can only have particular discrete values.
• The quantization of the particle energy is contrary to results from classical
physics, which would allow the particle to have continuous energy values.
• The quantization of the energy of a bound particle is an important result.
Case III: Electron in a finite potential barrier (V o)
(Quantum mechanical tunnelling)
Free electron moving in the positive x-direction, encounters a potential barrier Vo which is larger than E
of the electron.
In Region 1: (x
The electron is assumed to be free,
(I) + E ψ =0
ψ I(x) = +, α=
Inside the potential barrier, (x>0), the Schrodinger equation,
(II) + (E-Vo) ψ =0
(II) ψ II(x) = + where =
Since Vo >E, will be imaginary.
Let γ = j
ψ II(x) = +
==j
γ=j=
When x =
ψII(x)=C.+D.0
If C is finite, ψII(x)
But ψ21 (It is probability)
Therefore, C=0
ψII(x) =
i.e. As x↑, ψII(x) ↓
When Vo↑, damping will also ↑.
(γ = )
If the potential barrier is moderately high and relatively narrow, tunnelling
will take place.
• The penetration of a potential barrier by an electron wave is called
‘tunnelling’.
• Tunnelling is a quantum mechanics effect.
ψI = ψII at x=0.
+=
i.e. A+B = D (at x=0)

jα -jα = - γ.
-= - γ.
x=0, Aj
A=(1+j)
B=(1-j)
ψ I and ψ II can be expressed in terms of a constant D.
Tunneling probability,
T=16()(1- )
Where γ =

• This result implies that there is a finite probability that the incident particle will penetrate
the potential barrier and exist in region II.
• The probability of a particle penetrating the potential barrier is another difference between
classical and quantum mechanics.
• The quantum mechanical penetration is classically not allowed.

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