QT for QuanTum

TRISHUL LIKE SYMBOL

Wave (Ψ) Function
GOD OF SEA/KING OF WAVES/TRIDENT

Light travels as Wave and hits like a Particle.

 Physical Significance of Ψ (Psi)
• Each particle is represented by a wave function Ψ(x, y, z, t) such that Ψ ∗ Ψ gives the probability of finding
particle at that position at that time. (Ref. Intensity of wave: 𝑰 ∝ 𝑨𝟐 )
• It is one of the postulates of Q.M. that for a physical system containing a particle, there is an associated
wave function. The wave function determines everything that can be known about the system.
• It establishes the probability distribution in 3-D and allows energy calculations via Schrὂdinger
equation.
• It shows the finite probability/ possibility/ chance of finding electron in a particular region at any
instant (t) having value lies between the limits 0 and 1. #"
ly
∫!" Ψ $ 𝑑𝑉=1
rtain Ψ ∗ 𝑥, 𝑡 ∗ Ψ (𝑥, 𝑡) = Ψ (𝑥, 𝑡) " 0
ce und in or
cle e fo ere
ti
r b h
pa to ew ace
Probability Density (function) 1
∭ Ψ $ dx dy dz =1
m p
so s
Real Physical Probability
of finding particle in a
particular state.

From the Bohr model of the atom, to the modified model

with de Broglie waves, to a wave model with the electrons
distributed in a “cloud” throughout the atomic volume
Matter Wave Function (𝛹)
Potential energy (𝑽) doesn’t change
with the time it varies only with the
position of a particle and the field is
said to be stationary.
Time
For stationary waves, where energy is
Independent constant and Ψ is a function of Space
i.e. 𝚿 (x)
Time evolution practise of the system

Ψ
is neglected. (Ref. slide no. 4)

For progressive waves, where energy is

Time a function of Time
i.e. 𝜳 (t)
Dependent The energy of the system changes due
to evolution of wave function over time.
 The classical Wave Equation (Reference slide)
It is used to represent the wave motion of sound, light, wave motion in a stretched string can be written as,
𝒅𝟐𝒚 𝟏 𝒅𝟐𝒚
=
𝒅𝒙𝟐 𝒖𝟐 𝒅𝒕𝟐
…… (a)
Where, 𝑦 is the displacement; 𝒙 is the position, and 𝒖 is the velocity, and 𝒕 is the time parameter.
𝒙
'𝒊𝝎 𝒕'𝒖
𝒚 𝒙, 𝒕 = 𝑨𝒆 ……… (b)
𝒙 𝒙
∴ 𝒚 𝒙, 𝒕 = 𝑨 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝝎 𝒕 − − 𝒊 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝝎 𝒕 −
𝒖 𝒖
The imaginary term is irrelevant for the wave motion produced by Sound, Light, and Stretched string, etc.
So, the imaginary term is neglected in classical physics.
For the atomic size particle, one can not measure both- the position and momentum simultaneously.
Hence, the imaginary term is also considered in eq. (a) for the displacement of atomic particle system and
can be represented by 𝛹(Psi), eq.(a) can be written as,
𝝏𝟐𝜳 𝟏 𝝏𝟐𝜳
= …… (c)
𝝏𝒙𝟐 𝒗𝟐 𝝏𝒕𝟐
𝒙
'𝒊𝝎 𝒕'𝒗
or 𝜳 𝐱, 𝐭 = 𝜳𝟎 𝒆 …… (d)
 Schrὂdinger’s Wave Equation
• In case of Matter Waves, the quantity which is varying periodically is
called Wave Function 𝚿.
𝚿 𝐱, 𝐲, 𝐳, 𝐭 = 𝜳𝟎 𝐱, 𝐲, 𝐳 𝒆"𝒊𝝎𝒕
• Where,
• Ψ0 x, y, z Represents only Space dependent part of a complete wave function.
• 𝑒 1234 Represents only Time dependent part of a complete wave function.

• In 1926, Erwin Schrὂdinger proposed a mathematical theory by

incorporating the Expression of de-Broglie wavelength into the general
classical wave equation.
• As a result, the mathematical expression became the fundamental wave
equation of Quantum Mechanics and describes the behaviour of particles.
 Schrὂdinger’s Time-Independent Wave Equation
Mathematical Treatment
ØLet’s consider a case….
• A particle of mass ‘m’, moving with the velocity ‘v’ in a form of wave and the associated de Broglie
wavelength is given by,
.
𝜆 = /0 ……. (i)

Ø Let 𝜳 be the wave function of a particle along the x, y, and z coordinate axes at time t.
• The Classical differential equation of the wave system is given by, (Ref: slide no. 4)
1& 2 1& 2 1& 2 6 1& 2
13&
+ + =
14& 15 & 0& 17 &
……. (ii)
8& 2 8& 2 8& 2 6 8& 2
or 83&
+ + =
84& 85 & 0& 87 &
6 8& ; 8& 8& 8&
or ∇9 Ψ(x, y, z, t) = :&8<&
; (∵Laplacian Operator ∇9 = 83& + 84&+ 85&)

• The solution of the above equation (ii) is given by,

𝚿 𝐱, 𝐲, 𝐳, 𝐭 = 𝜳𝟎 𝐱, 𝐲, 𝐳 𝒆'𝒊𝝎𝒕 ……. (iii)
 ! !" ! !" ! !" & ! !"
Ref. from previous slide:-
!# !
+ !$ ! + !% ! = ' ! !( !
……. (ii) and 𝚿 𝐱, 𝐲, 𝐳, 𝐭 = 𝜳𝟎 𝐱, 𝐲, 𝐳 𝒆*𝒊𝝎𝒕 ……. (iii)

ü Differentiating Eq. (iii) twice w. r. t. ‘𝒕’ we get,

'(
= (−𝑖𝜔) 𝛹* 𝑒 +,-)
')
𝝏𝟐 𝜳
= (− 𝑖𝜔) (−𝑖𝜔)𝛹* 𝑒 +,-)
𝝏𝒕𝟐
'! (
= −𝝎𝟐 𝛹* 𝑒 +,-) (∵ 𝑖 1 = −1)
') !
'! (
= −𝜔 1 𝜳 ……. (iv) (∵ 𝛹= 𝛹* 𝑒 +,-) )
') !
𝝏𝟐 𝜳
ü Substituting (eq. iv) into equation (ii),
𝝏𝒕𝟐
2!( 2!( 2!( 6
+ + = (−𝜔 1 𝛹)
23 ! 24 ! 25 ! 7!
2!( 2!( 2!( +- !
∴ + + = 𝛹 ……. (v)
23 ! 24 ! 25 ! 7!

ü We know that angular frequency ′𝝎′ is related with linear frequency ′𝝂′ as 𝝎 = 𝟐𝝅𝝂, ∴ eq. (v) can be written as,
2!( 2!( 2!( +(19:)! #$ & (&)*+$,-.)
+ + = 𝛹 ∵ 𝐸 = h𝜈 = ℎ𝑓 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜆=
23 ! 24 ! 25 ! 7! % 0 (12)34)5$.)

2!( 2!( 2!( +<9 !

∴ + + = 𝛹 ……. (vi)
23 ! 24 ! 25 ! =!
 >
ü But the de-Broglie wavelength associated with a particle moving in the form of a wave is given by, 𝜆= ;
?7
2!( 2!( 2!( +<9 !
∴ eq. (vi) will become… 23 !
+ 24 !
+ 25 !
= 6 !
𝛹
78
2!( 2!( 2!( +<9 ! 𝒎 𝟐 𝒗𝟐
∴ + + = 𝛹 ……. (vii)
23 ! 24 ! 25 ! >!
𝟏
ü If E is the total energy of the particle, then the sum of both the potential energy V and kinetic energy 𝐊. 𝐄. = 𝟐 𝒎𝒗𝟐 ,
6
i.e. 𝐸 = 𝑉 + 𝑚𝑣 1 ……. (viii), ∴ 2 𝐸 − 𝑉 = 𝑚𝑣 1 ……. (ix)
1

ü Let’s multiply with ′𝒎′ on both the sides,

∴ 2𝒎 𝐸 − 𝑉 = 𝒎𝟐 𝑣 1 ……. (x)
ü By substituting eq. (x) into eq. (vii), we get,
2!( 2!( 2!( +<9 ! 1𝒎 B+C
∴ + + = 𝛹 ……. (xi)
23 ! 24 25 !! >!
&
'=> 𝒎 @'A D9 ! 𝒎 B+C
∇1 𝛹= 𝛹; ∴ ∇1 𝛹 + 𝛹=0 ……. (xii)
.& >!
19 1 𝟐𝐦 𝐄+𝐕 I
∇1 𝛹 + 𝟐𝒎 𝐸 − 𝑉 𝛹=0 ; ∴ ∇1 𝚿 + 𝚿=0 ……. (xiii) (∵ ħ= = Reduced Planck constant)
> ħ𝟐 1J
𝟐𝐦 𝐄+𝐕
∴ 𝜵𝟐 𝚿 𝐱 + 𝚿 𝐱 = 𝟎 ……. (xiv) (1-D form of Equation as particle is moving in 𝒙-direction only)
ħ𝟐
𝟐𝐦𝑬
∴ ∇1 𝚿 𝐱 + 𝚿 𝐱 =𝟎 ……. (xv) (free Particle-No external forces acting on it, 𝑽 = 𝟎 )
ħ𝟐
The another way of writing Schrodinger’s equation (eq. xiv). is by using Hamiltonian Operator (𝐻).
ħ𝟐
𝐄𝚿= −
1?
∇1 + 𝐕 𝚿; ∴𝐄𝚿=𝐇𝚿
 Schrὂdinger’s Time-Dependent Wave Equation
Mathematical Treatment
ü The evolution of wave function over the time/period by the fact that the energy of a system varies/changes with time-
known as Time Dependent Wave Equation.
ü The Classical differential equation of the wave system and its solution by referring slide no. 4, 6
! !" ! !" ! !" & ! !"
Ref. from previous slide:-
!# !
+ !$ ! + !% ! = ' ! !( !
and 𝚿 𝐱, 𝐲, 𝐳, 𝐭 = 𝜳𝟎 𝐱, 𝐲, 𝐳 𝒆*𝒊𝝎𝒕 ……. (i)

ü By Differentiating the solution w. r. t. ‘t’, we get,

'(
= −𝑖𝜔 𝛹* 𝑒 +,-)
')
'(
= −𝑖 2𝜋𝜈 𝛹* 𝑒 +,-) (∵ 𝜔 = 2𝜋𝜈)
')
'( B
= −𝑖 2𝜋 𝚿 (∵ E = h𝜈 ; 𝛹 = 𝛹* 𝑒 +,-) )
') >
'( B >
= −𝑖 𝚿 (∵ ħ = )
') ħ 19
ħ '(
− = 𝐸 𝛹 ……. (ii)
𝒊 ')
𝒊ħ '( '(
ü Let’s multiply and divide on L.H.S. by ′𝑖 M , 𝑤𝑒 𝑔𝑒𝑡 … − = 𝐸 𝛹 ∴ 𝑖ħ =𝐸𝛹 (Since 𝑖 1 = −1)
𝒊𝒊 ') ')
'(
ü Let us rearrange the terms and write the above equation, 𝐸 𝛹 = 𝑖ħ ……. (iii)
')
ü The Time Independent Schrodinger’s Equation (REF: S.TI. Eq. (xiv) slide No.8)
𝟐𝐦 𝐄+𝐕
𝜵𝟐 𝚿 𝐱 + 𝚿 𝐱 = 𝟎 (moving Particle in 𝒙-direction)
ħ𝟐

ü By rearranging the above ref. equation, we get…

𝟐𝐦
𝜵𝟐 𝚿 = − 𝐄 𝚿 − 𝐕 𝚿 = 0 ……. (iv)
ħ𝟐

ü Substitute the value of (iii) of this derivation in equation (iv).

𝟐𝐦 '(
𝜵𝟐 𝚿 = − 𝑖ħ −𝐕𝚿 =0
ħ𝟐 ')
ħ𝟐 '(
− 𝜵𝟐 𝚿 = 𝑖ħ −𝐕𝚿
𝟐𝐦 ')
ħ𝟐 '(
− 𝜵𝟐 𝚿 + 𝐕 𝚿 = 𝑖ħ ……. (v)
𝟐𝐦 ')

ü Equation (V) is known as Schrodinger’s Time Dependent Wave equation.

ü Let’s rewrite the final equation in terms of Hamiltonian and Energy operator.
ħ𝟐 '
− 𝜵𝟐 + 𝑽 𝚿 = 𝑖ħ 𝚿……. (vi)
𝟐𝒎 ')

𝑯 𝚿= 𝑬𝚿 ……. (vii)
ħ𝟐 '
(∵ 𝐇 = − 𝜵𝟐 + 𝑽 𝒂𝒏𝒅 E = 𝑖ħ are respectively known as Hamiltonian operator and Energy
𝟐𝒎 ')
Operator for S.TD. Eq.)
 The behavior of
Wave Function (𝝍)
in
Quantum Mechanics
References:
1. Engineering Physics, Dattu Joshi, Mc Graw Hill
2. Conceptual Physics. P. G. Hewitt, Pearson
3. https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/22-02-introduction-to-applied-
nuclear-physics-spring -
2012/b5106a499ae03e36b5a2e002355668f9_MIT22_02S12_lec_c
h6.pdf)