Bradley j.

nartowt; qualitative methods in physics; Friday, March 29, 2013; assignment #3

Problem 1 - Charge density distribution in the Thomas-Fermi model: consider the Thomas-Fermi scaling form for the
electrostatic potential
1
inside a heavy atom,

( ) ( )
3 3
( ) ; 1.13
Z keZ
r f br Z f b Z r b
r r
| = = ~ (1.1)

Find the scaling form for the local electron density ( ) n n r = . Use atomic units, defined by,

4 2
2 2 2 2 2
2 2
0 0 0
1 1 1 1
1; ( ) ; ( ) ;
4 4 137 4
e
e e h e
e
m e e
m e k r E m c
m c
o o
tc tc tc
= = = = = = = ~ = =

(1.2)

A summary of our computation: just use the Poisson equation,
2
4 ( ) 4 ( ) k n e | t t V = = r r . While you do so, be
careful to recall
2 1 3
( ) 4 ( ) r r to

V = . The other term will use

2 2 2
1
( ) ( )
r r r
f r f rf V = V = c .

Get a messy step out of the way: Carry out the Laplacian
2 2
1
( )
r r r
f rf V = c , in order to save labour,

( ) ( )
2 2 2 3 3
2 3 3
2 2
1 1 1 2 ( )
( ) ( ) 1 ( )
r
b Z f b Z f
f rf rf br Z f b Z rf
r r r r r r r
' '' c c c +
' V = = = + =
c c c
(1.3)

The scaling form we need to get: Thus, our density has the following scaling form,

( )
2
2 2 2 3
2 3 3 3
3 3 2 3
2 2
1 1 1 1
2
4 4 4
1 2 ( ) 2( ) 1
4 ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
4 4
Z Z
n f br Z f f f
r r r r
Z b Z f b Z
k
f b Z f
r f Z r f b Z f
e
k
n r
r r
ke
r r
e
|
t t t
to o
t t
V | | | |
= = V = V + V + V -V
| |

\ . \ .
| |
' '' ' + | |
'' = + = =
|
|
|

\ .
\ .
(1.4)

Interestingly, when we compute number density of electrons, the SI units naturally become atomic units, (1.2).

Boundary condition/general solution to (1.4): to make good physical sense, the function f must be smooth for all 0 r > .
Integrate both sides of (1.4), ( )
0
0
lim dr
c
c
}
, and you get the boundary condition on the scaling-function (0) 0 f = .

Estimate the local density at distances of the order of the Thomas-Fermi radius:
1/3
~
TF
a Z

. It can be shown (c.f.,

Appendix I, up to (2.9)) that the semiclassical approximation of the radial-eigenfunctions to the Schrdinger equation,
( ) ( )
R
n n
u r r r = +

, with the potential
1
1
/
Z
i
i
V Z r

=
= +

r r , with the
i
r arranged spherically-symmetrically
(permitting an expansion in spherical-harmonics) produces the following Schrdinger/Laplace equation,

2
2 3/ 2 3/ 2
2
8 2 1 8 2
( ); ;
3 3
d
C r C
r dr
| | | |
t t
V = = = (1.5)

This Schrdinger-Laplace equation (1.5) can then be re-written entirely in terms of the scaling function, (1.1), as
3/2
1
x
f f '' = , (c.f., Appendix II, up to (2.12)) with the indicated approximate solution (see (2.16)),

3 3.77 3
3 0.77 3 2/3 0.77 0.77 3.90
144 144
( 1) 144 ; ( ); ;
(1 ) (1 (12 ) )
n
Z
f x x Bx f x x b Zr
x Cx x x r
|


>> + = = =
+ +
(1.6)

putting (1.6) into the scaling-form for the density, (1.4), and effecting the 2
nd
derivative at
1/3
~
TF
r a Z

= , and throwing
out the delta-function because 0 r > ,

1
Note the units: use the Gaussian prescription
0
1
4
1
tc
= , followed by energy
4 2
/ Ry me , and length
2 2
/
B
a me = .

( )
4 4 3
0.77 5.9 6.54 0.77 4.9 5.77 0.77 3.9 5 3
3
2.0920 10 1.203 10 1.728 10
~ (1 3.58 ) (1 3.58 )
2 2 7/3 3
7
(1 3.
/3
1
58 )
1.1
2
1
3
(
0.022
) 1.13
( ~ ) ~ ( ~ )
4 ( ) 4
Z
Z
x b x x x x x x
Z b Z Z
n r f x b Z
t t


+ + +
=
+ ' =

' = (1.7)

Determine the asymptotic behavior of n(r) at distances
1 1/3
Z r Z

<< << . Transforming this into a condition on x, we
have the conditions
2/3
1 ~ 1.13Z x

<< and 1.13 ~1 x << (e.g., we are really considering 1 x >> and 1 x << ). We thus
series-expand the closed-form expression shown in (1.6) (with C, n undetermined). It is actually not illuminating to show
this, but here you go,

0.77
1/3 2/3 1/3 2/3
3.9 1/3 2/3 0.77 2 3.9 1/3 2/3 0.77 2
0.77 0.77
5
1.54
1/3 2/3
3.9 1/3 2/3 0.77 2
0
7/
.7
3
7
22 3 22 3
(1 ) (22 3 ) (1 ) (22 3 )
1
( )
22 3
(1 ) (22 3 )
1
( 1) ~
x
x x
x x
n x Z
x
x
x
x
| |
+
|
|
+ + + +
|
|
|
+
|
+ +
|
>>
\ .
O (1.8)

1/3 2/3
8.8 0.77 2
1/3 2/3 0.77 5
14.7 2.31
0.77
1/3 2/3 1/3 2/3
10.8 2.31 2 9.8 1.54 2
0.77 5 0.
7/
77 5
3
1 22 3 4555
((1 ) ( ( ))
22 3
(1 )
22 3 176 22 3 1790
(1 ) (
( 1) ~
( )) (1 ) ( ( )))
x x
x x
x
x
x x x x
n x Z
x x x x
+ +
+
+ + + + + +
| |
|
|
<<
|
|
|
\ .
O
O O
(1.9)

Perhaps more illuminating: a plot of
7/3
/ n Z , and a plot of
4/3
/ 1.13 ( ) / Z f x x | = , we have,
; (1.10)

Appendix I The Schrdinger/Laplace nonlinear equation (from Migdals text)

We need the potential to get the density. Potential related to density by Poisson equation. note that in atomic units,
( ) n ( ) = r r ,

1
2
1 2
1
4 ; ( , , ,..., ) ( , ) / ; ( ) ( );
Z
Z i i
i
V V V V Z r n n t

=
V = = = = + = = =

r r r r r r r r r r (2.1)

This potential is averaged over motion of electrons.

Write Schrdingers equation in atomic units,

2
2( ) 0; ( ) ( , ) ( ) / ;
n m n m n m
E V R r Y u Y r u | V + + + = + = + = = r

(2.2)

Let the potential V be sphericaly symmetric. Then,

2
2 2
2 2
deg 2 2
( ) ( ) ( ) 2 1
2 2 2 2
4
n m n n
n m m
n m n m n m n
u Y u u
Y
r r r

t
+
=
+
= + = = =

r r r

(2.3)

1 2 3 4 5
x
0.010
0.005
0.005
nZ
73
1 2 3 4 5
x
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
Z
43
Semiclassical approximation and Bohr quantization: let the radial wavefunctions be approximated using the WKB
approximation. In passing, we also write down the Bohr quantization rule,

1 1
1
2 2 1
2
( ) cos( ); 2[ ( ) ( ) ] 2 ; ( );
4 2
r r
n
n n n n n n
r r n
a
u r k dr k E V r E V k dr n
k r
t
t
+
= = = +
} }

(2.4)

Putting (2.4) into (2.3), we get the density to be expressed as,

( )
( )
1
2 2 2
2 2
2 2 2
2
2 2 2 2 2 2
2 1 2 1 2 1 1
( ) ~ 2 cos ( ) ~ 2 cos 2
4 4 4 4 2
1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1
~ 2
4 4 2
r
n n n
n
n n n
n n n r
n n
n
n n n
n n n
a a a
k dr
r k r k r k
E E
a
k r n k r n k r
t

t t t
t
t t t
| |
+ + +
= = |
|
\ .
c c + + +
= =
c c

}

r

(2.5)

Now, change the sum into integration,
( ) ( ) ( ) ;
n n
n
n
E E
dn dE
n n
c c
=
c c

} }

(2.6)

Putting (2.6) into (2.5), and introducing the explicit
n
k

of (2.4), we get
2
,

( ) ( )
min
min min
0 0
0
2 2 2 2 2
m
2
2 2 2 n 2 i
(2 1) 1 2 1 1 1
( ) ~ (2 1) 2 |
2 2 2 2
1 1
(2 1) 2 0 0 (2 1) 2 0
2 2
n
n n E
n E E n
dE
dE E V
k
E
r
V
r r E V
V V
r r

t t t
t t
+ +
= = = +

= + ~ +

} }

r

(2.7)

The V

is the effective potential, which is

2 2
2 2 2
( 1) ( 1) ( 1/ 2)
2 2 2
( )
mr r r
V r
+ + +
= = ~

for a hydrogen atom. Its derivative is

2
1/2
r
V
+
c =


. We can introduce this to (2.7), and get,

( ) ( )
max
min
max
min
2 2 2 2
3/ 2
3/ 2 3/ 2 3/2 3/ 2
2 2 2 2
1 (2 1) 1 1
( ) 2 2 2
2
1 1 2 1 1 ( 2 )
( 2 ) | ( 2 0) ( 2 ) ( 2 ) ;
2 3 3 3 3
V
V
V
V
V
V V V dV
r
V
V V V

t t t
t t t t
c +
= ~ =
c

= = = =

}
r

(2.8)

Now, using V | , we can put Poissons equation (2.1) as,

3/2 2
2 2 3/2 3/ 2
2 2
( 2 ( )) 8 2 1
( ) 4 ( )
3 3
d
C r
r dr
|
| t | | | |
t t

V = V = = (2.9)


Boundary conditions: looking at the original potential (2.1), we have,

1
1
( 0) ( 0) 0 ; ( ) 0 ( );
Z
i i
Z Z Z
V r r V r r
r r r
| |
=
| |

= = + + =
|
|

\ .

r r
(2.10)

Change of variables: to solve the nonlinear (1.5), we introduce / Zf r | (see (1.1)); this rids the Laplacian of (2.9) 1
st
-
derivative terms, and leaves only 2
nd
and 0
th
derivatives,

2
Notice we use
min
0 E V ~

; recall, (2.4) says that the integrand is a cosine function. For this region of integration, the cosine is
of an imaginary argument, which produces exponential decay.

2
3/ 2 3/ 2
2
1
( ) ( )
Zf d Zf Z Z
C r f f C f
r r dr r r r
'' '' = = = (2.11)

Second change of variables: now introduce
3

3
x b Zr (again, see (1.1)) ; we see it is convenient to set
2/3
0
C o = , so
(2.11) is,

3 3
2/3
0
2 2
3/ 2 2 2/3 4/6 3/ 2
2 2
3/ 2 3/ 2
4/3 2/3 1/3 4/6
1
( ) ( )
( )
x x
b Z b Z
C
d d Z
f f f C f b Z f x C bZ f x
dr d x
f f
C Z f CC Z f
x x
o =
'' '' = = = =
'' '' = =
(2.12)

This function (2.12) is independent of atomic number, so its universal. Its called the Thomas-Fermi equation.

Thomas Fermi equation and boundary values: consider the (nonlinear) differential equation,

3/ 2
1
; (0) 1; ( ) 0; f f f f
x
'' = = = (2.13)

Compute ( 1) f x >> by assuming inverse-power law
4

0
f Ax
o
; just put this into (2.13) and see that,

0 0
0 0
2 3/ 2
0 0
0
0 (3 1 2 4)/ 2
0 0
0 0
1
1 ( 1) ( )
3 0
3
( 1)
144 ( 1)
x Ax Ax
x
Ax
A A
o o
o o
o o
o
o
o o
o o

+
>> =
= ( = (
+ =
(
(
= + =
(

(2.14)

Getting a higher order: we could get another order by saying
3
0 1
( 1) 144 f x x f f

>> + + . Putting this perturbative

expansion
0 1
( 1) f x f f >> + into the original (2.13), using
3/ 2 2
2
3/ 2
3
( ) ( ) f f f + = + + O , and using ansatz
0
Bx
|

= , we get,

( )
( )
0
0 0
3/ 3/ 2
3 2
3/ 2
3
2
3/ 2 2 2 3
2
0 0 0 0 0 2
1 1
( ) ( )
3 144 3 1
( ) ~
2 1 73
( 1) ( 1) 18 3.8, 4.8 ;
2 2 2
Bx
f f f
x x x x
x
x x
x x
f f
f f
|

| |
|



| | | | |

=

'' '' '' '' + = + = + = + =

'' = = + = = =
+
+ + O
(2.15)

Choose the
0
3.77 | = root, for finitude at x . This finally gives,

3 0.77
144
(0 )
3 3.77
3 0.77
3.90 2/3 0.77
(0) ~ 3 0.77 0 3.90
144
( 1) 144 ;
(1 )
(0) 1 144 / 1 (12 )
n
x Cx
n
f f n n
f x x Bx
x Cx
f C C

< = =
>> + =
+
= = =
(2.16)


Two-dimensional/cylindrical hydrogen atom
5
: Suppose that a nucleus is an infinitely-thin line of positive charge
per unit length. A two-dimensional hydrogen atom is formed by a nucleus and an electron which is free to move along
the line but is confined in the transverse direction. (This situation is common for, e.g., charged polymer molecules or
dislocations in solids.)

3
The book uses o in place of my
0
o ; this is potentially confusable with the fine structure constant mentioned in our atomic units
(1.2), although it is never used throughout this work
4
The inverse power law will easily show the leading-behaviour as x 1.
5
More details on this interesting problem from: K. Eveker et al. Am. J. Phys. 58, 1183 (1990); T. Garon et al., ibid. 81, 92 (2013).

(a) Determine the appropriate set of atomic units ( , ,...
B
Ry a ' ' ); describing a bound state in such an atom.

Preliminary: consider atomic units for 3D atom,

4 2
2 2 2 2 2
2 2
0 0 0
1 1 1 1
1; ( ) ; ( ) ;
4 4 137 4
e
e e h e
e
m e e
m e k r E m c
m c
o o
tc tc tc
= = = = = = = ~ = =

(1.1)

We are to eventually get the semiclassical eigenenergies of the Schrdinger equation in a cylinder, at the center of which
is a two-dimensional proton
6
. First, we develop appropriate units.

In SI-units, the Schrdinger equation appears as,

2 2
2 2
2 2
2
0 0
2
( )
ln ; ;
2 2
1 1
E
z
e
tc

|
| | c c c c
=
V + + + +
++ + = + +
|
c c c c
\ .
+ V +

(1.2)

Some numerical quantities we will need,
| |
15
1.65
1; ; proton-radius 10 ;
2 2
p
p
e
Z r m
r

= = = = (1.3)

Bohr radius: ratio of quantum (zero point) force to Coulomb-force. In two dimensions,

2 2 2 2
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 2
/ (2 ) / (2 ) 2 4 ( / ) ( / )
~ ; ~ ; vs.
B B
B B
B B
e e a a
T U T U a a
a a e e
tc tc tc tc

' '
' = = = =
' '

(1.4)

The log-length-scale: now we need to find
0
. Reproducing some work from K. Eveker et al. (1990),

2
0
2 2
2 0
0 2
2
0 0
2
2 1 1
ln ln ln ; ; ; ;
2
e
q e
z q
e

tc
tc
| |
tc |
= = = = = = =

(1.5)

Rydberg: using the virial theorem,

2
0
0 0 0
4 1 1 1
~ ln ln( )
2 2 2 2 8
B
a e e
E E T V V V V Ry
e
tc
tc tc
'
' = = + = + = =

(1.6)

We know that 0.529
B
a A =

and that 13.6 eV Ry = ; lets compute (1.4), (1.5), and (1.6) vs. these,

26 13 12
17 4 6 0
10 10 18
4.36 10 1.47 10 4.03 10
8.25 10 ; 2.79 10 ; 1.85 10 ;
5.29 10 5.29 10 2.18 10
B
B B
a m m Ry J
a m a m Ry J

' '
= = = = = =

(1.7)

(b) Using the Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization condition for angular momentum, find the spectrum of the bound states.

Separating variables: put in the usual ansatz ( ) ( ) ( )
z
z
|
| + = + + + , and then (1.2) becomes separated,

2
2
0 0
2
2
0 0
1 1
[ ( ln )
2 2
1 1
[ [ ] ( l ) ;
2 2
]
] n
z z z z
z
z
e
E
e
E
| | | |
|

|

tc

tc
| |
' '' '' '' + + + + + + + + + + + = + + +
|
\ .
| | '' + '' +
' '' + + + + + = +
|

+ +
+
.
+
|
+
\

(1.8)


6
Potential a distance away from an infinite-linear-charge-density is
0
0 0
/
2 2
( ) 0 ln
encl
Q
z
d d
c

t tc

'
' = - = =
}
E

.
As usual, a subset of the set of all solutions to (1.8) is formed by taking
2
/ m
| |
'' + + = and similarly we take
7
2
2
1
4
/ ~
p
z z
r
k '' + + = + ; the generality we seem to lose is regained by the completeness of the spectrum of each integer-
indexed set of eigenfunctions (which a Fourier-series takes advantage of, though we dont need this).

Writing a bunch of characteristic-wavevectors for the semiclassical orbit-integral: We are left with the cylinder equation,
from which we can read off an appropriate set of units,

2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2
0 0
2
2
2 2 2 2
0 0
2
2 2 2
2
0
2 2
0 ln
2
0 1 2
0 ln
1
ln
e
E m
E e m
m


c

k
tc

k
tc

k k k
+
|
+
+
|
'' ' = + + + +
|

\ .
| |
'' ' = = + + + + +
|
\ .
| |
'' ' + + + + +
|
\ .


(1.9)

The original Schrdinger equation (1.2) with the units indicated in (1.9) then appears as,

2 2 2
ln
c
k k V + + + = + (1.10)

Lets find an order of magnitude estimate for the wavevectors in (1.10). using the quantities (1.7), we can measure in
Bohr-radii,
B
a ' and ( ) E E Ry' ; we get,

2 2 2 4 12
0 2 2 2 2 2 2
0
1 2 1 1 1
2 ; 28.9 ; ~ 1.603 10 ; 3.38 10 ;
4
B
B B p B
e E
Ry E a
a a r a
c

k k k
tc
' ' = = = = = =
' ' '
(1.11)

The orbit integral: The semiclassical approximation says
2 2 2 2 2
k k p V + ~ + = + = + ; using this to find the
eigen-energies by integrating this over an orbit using
1
2
( ) k d n t = +
}
, for turning points
1 2
[ , ] e , and using the
fact that bound states have 0 E E = < , we get
2 2
c c
k k , and we get,

( )
( )
2
2 2
1 1
2
1
0 0
2
0 0
2
1
2 2
1
0 2
2 2
2 2 2
1
2
1
0 2
2
0
1
2
( ) 2 ln 2 1 ln
1 ln erf ln
( ) ln erf l
2
( ) 2 n
B
B
B
K
K
K e K
n d a d K
a K
K e n K K a





c c

t
t

t k k k

k
t k

' + = =
' =
' + =
} }
(1.12)

Here, we noted that
12
0
3.38 10
B B
a a ' ' = >> , whereas ~
B
a ' , so
0
2
ln 1 K

>> .

Since this is a bound state, you have / 28.9 / 2 / 1 K E
c
k k = >> (note that 1 E > , by construction).

Turning points: The turning points are found by considering the classical Hamiltonian (or Lagrangian) with a logarithmic
potential, and the familiar effective-potential term for an orbiting body,

2 2 2 2 2
2
0 0 0 0
1 1 1 1 1
( ) ln ( ) ln ;
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
eff
e m e
L V V

u
tc tc

= + = + + + +

(1.13)

The solutions of
eff
V V = are the turning points,

7
Note that the continuous/unbound z-direction should have a wavevector whose inverse is on the order of the proton-diameter, (1.3).

2 2 2 2 2
1,2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0
1,2 1,2 2 2
1,2 0 0 1,2 1,2
ln ln 2 ln 2 0;
2 2
B
m m e m
m a m
e

tc

tc k

' = = = = =

(1.14)

The graphical solution to (1.14) for m = 1, 2, 3, and
12
0
3.38 10
B
a ' = appears as,
(1.15)

The function that approximately gives these turning points vs. m is,

1,2 1,2 2 0 1
( ) (0.2787 0.063) ( ) 0.2787 0.063
B
m m a m m M m M ' = = = = (1.16)

Integrating from
1 0
= to this turning point
8
, and noting that though (1.14) is transcendental, it does provide a
substitution for the quantity
0
2
ln

, which appears twice in (1.12); thus, the (1.12) becomes,

( ) ( )
0
2
0 0
1 0 1
2
1 0
2
1
0 0
0
0 1
2
1
0 2
2 2
1
0 0 2
2
1 1
0 0
1
2
0 1 2
( 1 ln erf ln
1 ln1 erf
)
( ) 2
ln1
( 2 ) 1 ln erf erf ln 1
M m M M m M
B
M m M M m M
B
K
K
K
K
K e K K
K e K K
M m M
n a
a M m M K Ke K

c
c

t k
k
t
t
t

| |

|
' + =
|
\ .
| |
' =


|
\

+
.

(1.17)

Re-introducing the quantities (1.4) through (1.7) to this (1.17) we see that the term that is
2
0
~ is, by far, the most
dominant term, since
0
12
0
3.38 10
B
a

'
= , and we have ( ) 1 erf 1 < < . Retaining the log-term, (1.17) is,

( )
2
0
2
0 1
2
1 1
0 2
2 2 3
1
0 0
1
0 1 2
2
3/ 2
1 1
2 2
2
0
( ln erf
2
e
( ) 2 )
( ) 28.
rf (
9
2 2
)
B M m M
B
K
K
K B
K
K n a M m M
n
a a
Ke
e K E
K
c

t
t t
t t
t k
t
k k

+
| |
= +
' + ~
| |
+
' ' ~
|
|
.

\
=
|
\ .
O
(1.18)

I am almost certain that I screwed something up, because
0
is just such a huge number. However, in any event, (1.18)
says the energy is quadratic in n , which is the well-known condition for free electrons. Thats kind of boring, but
corrections higher-order in
0
are just so tinyat least, I think they are


8
Migdal sets his r
min
= 0 when effecting the quasiclassical approximation; see QM 11 193 3
rd
(unnumbered) equation.
0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
x
1.0
0.5
0.5
1.0

1,2
2
ln
0

1,2
2m
2
a
B
'
2

Two-dimensional Thomas-Fermi atom: Suppose that Z-1 more electrons are added to the atom of Problem 2 in such a
way that the density of electrons, ( ) n r

; satisfy the electroneutrality condition,

2
( ) e n r d r

=
}
. Here, ( ) n r

is the
number of electrons per unit volume which depends only on the coordinate transverse to the line, r

. (a) Construct the

Thomas-Fermi model for such an atom. Note: I used r

= . It is easier notation

Recall: the wavefunction for the cylinder equation,

2 2
1
( ) ( ) ( ); sin ; ;
2
m m
z
z n z n
z p TF
e e
z z m
r a
| |
|
| |
|
| k k
t
+
'' + '' + +
+ = + + + = + = = + =
+ +
i i
(1.1)

Let the potential be cylindrically-symmetric, and let there be bound states in the z-direction. Use the radial wavefunction
(1.12) developed in the appendix, for which ( ) ( ) S R = ; we get,

( )
2
2 2 2
, 2 2
deg , ,
, , , ,
2 2
2 2
0; , 0; ,
2 2
, ,
, ,
2 2
, ,
,
( )
2
2 2 2 ( ) sin 4cos
2
2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1
sin 4cos ~ 4
2 2 2 2 2
2
2 1 1
~
2
m n
m n z z m n
m n m n m n m n
p p
m n m n
m n m n
p p p
m n m n
m n m n
m n
p p
S
n z
n S m
r r
n z
S m S
r r r
E E
n
n n E
r r
| |

t
|

t
| t

= + = + + + = + + =
=
c
c
=
c c








(1.2)

Now, change the sum into integration, and also recall the effective-potential term,
( ) ( ) ( )
2 2
, ,
, 2
; ( ) ( );
2
m n m n m
m n eff eff
n
E E
m
dn dE V V
n n

c c
= = =
c c

} }

(1.3)

This (2.6) makes (1.2) appear as,

( )
min
max max
0
,
2 2
,
2 2
max
2
2 2 2 2 2
0
2 2 1
~ 2
2
2
2 2
~
m
m
m n eff
m m
m n E
p p
m m
eff
p p p p
n dE V
E
r r
V
m m
dm
r r r r

= = =

}
}

(1.4)

Now, using
max
~
m
eff
V V | = , we can have Poissons equation appearing as,

2 1/ 2 2 2
2
4 2
; ; ~1 ~ ; The Thomas-Fermi model;
TF
p
a
r
t
| |

V = =

(1.5)

(b) Find the scaling forms for the electrostatic potential, ( ) r |

; and local density, ( ) n r

.

Use the change of variables | u, and, recalling (1.9), the radial Laplacian becomes,

2 2 1/ 4
2 15/ 4
5/ 2 3 2
4 2 4 2
4 4
TF TF
p p
a a
r r
t t
|

'' u u u u
'' V = + = u = u

(1.6)

With this scaling form, the density (1.4) similarly becomes,

1/ 2
2 3/4 2
2 2
~
p p
n
r r


u
= u


(1.7)

(c) Determine the Thomas-Fermi radius,
TF
a' . Using the electroneutrality condition, we have
2
~
e
TF
Z n a

, and using the

Poisson/Schrdinger equation (1.5) we have
1/ 2 2 2
~ ~ /
TF
a | | | V ; putting these together, we have,

1/ 2 2 2 1/ 4
4
4
2 2
2 2 2
2
~ ~ / ~ ~
4
~ ~ ~
4 4
4 ~ 4 ~ ~
4 4
TF TF
Z
ne
TF
TF
TF
TF
TF
ne
a a
Z
ea e Z
Z a
e ea Z e
n Z a
ea

| |
| | | |

| t
t t | |
| t t
t t
+

(
V =
(
(

(
V
V =
(

(1.8)

Appendix semiclassical treatment of radial eigenfunction

If you use the substitution ( ) ( ) S R = (note: S then has no units), the Laplacian transforms as,

1 1
2
2 1 1
3/2 5/ 2
( )
( ) ( ( ) ) ( ( ))
1 1 1 1 1 1
( )
2 2 4 2 2
S S
S
R r
S S
S S S S

'
' ' ' V = =
''
'' ' ' = + = +
(1.9)

Also, recall abbreviations from previous problem; modify them as,

2 2 12
0 2 2 2 2
0
1 2 1
2 ; 28.9 ; ; 3.38 10 ;
2
n B
B B p
e E n n
E a
a a L r
Z
c
t t
k k k
tc
' = = = = = = =
' '
(1.10)

Thus, Schrdingers equation for potential
0
2
( ) ln( / )
Z
TF
U a

tc
= appears as,

2
2 2 2
3/ 2 5/ 2 3/ 2 2
2
1
2 2 2 4
2
3 1
0 ln
4 2
ln ;
TF
TF
S S S S S m
a
S S
m
a
S
c
c

k k k

k k

| | | |
| | '' ' '
= + + +
| |
|
| |
\ .
\ . \ .
| |
'' = +

\
+
|
.
+
(1.11)

Now use the ansatz / S S ' ~ i , where ( ) ~ /
TF
a = in general. This renders (1.11) separable as a 1
st
order ODE,
but the complex-number = i is there to introduce both oscillation and exponential behaviour,

2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2 2
2 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2
1/ 4 1/4
) ln ln
0 0
1/ 4
( ln ) ( n ) n
0
(
l l
0
TF
TF
TF
TF
TF TF
TF
m a m
a d d
a
m m a
a k k k a k k k
a
S S e S e
S e S e
c c
c c
k k k k k k

k k
| | | | ' +
+ + + | |
| |
\ . \ .
| |
+
+ + + + |
|
\ .
}
= =
=
}
=
i i
i i
i
i i

2
1/ 4
ln
1
TF
a
| | | |

| |
| |
\ . \ .

(1.12)


(4) Bound states in 2D: Find an approximate ground-state energy in a weak, attractive potential U (r) in 2D.
Assume that
0
( ) rU r dr

} < , and that max U and typical length-scale a of U (r) are such that,

2
max 0 2
max max ~ ; U U U
a
c

= = <<

(1.1)

Draw a schematic of this potential,
(1.2)

Radial Schrdinger equation in 2D appears as,

2
;
/
2
2 2
;
2
2 2
2
( )
1
( )
1
2
1
2
R
m
U r E
R
U r R
m
R E R

+= u
'' u u=
| | c c c
+
|
c c c
\ .
| |
+ +
+ + = +
+
c c
+
|
.

c
\
=
c

(1.3)

On changing variables as R S , and dimensionless
0
2
/
E
x x k

, we get
9
,

( )
2 2
2
1
4 5/ 2 2
2
2
2
( ) 1 0
2 4
S S d U
U E x
dx
m S S S
m S
E

| |
''
+ + = + =
|

| |
+ +
|
\ .
|
\ .

(1.4)

In the ground state, wed have 1 m= . The next step is to compare
2mE
a o

, and effect (1.1),

( )
1
4 1 1
4 4 2
2
2
( ~ ) 3
(1 ) /
2
m
x m
U x E E
E U
x E U U
o
<< <<

= = (1.5)

Enforcing the Bohr-quantization condition, we compute the bound state energies by using the series-expansion of the
potential
1 2
0
( ) (0) ( ) U r k xU x

' = + O , and writing,

( )
( )
0
0 0 0
0
0
3
0
2 2 1 2
1 1
4 4 4 (0) 3
0 4 4 1
2 2 2
1
3 1
2
3
4
4
2
0
3
(0) ( ) ( )
2
(0)
2 2
1 1
3 3 3 tanh 1
1
3 3
r r
r
x
F F U x
E E E
F
x
x
x
k k k
E
x
x
k
k x U x U r
n dx dx
x E x E
x U
dx
x k
m m
x x
m
E
x
' '

' ' ' +

' + = =
'
'

+ +
' ' +

+
'
'
' ~ =
'
} }
}
O

(1.6)
The turning points
0
, x x are given by the classical 2D Hamiltonian for an orbiting body,

( )
2 2 2
0
2
1
( )
2 2 2 ( )
p
p m
E U r r m
r m E U r
=
= + + =

(1.7)



9
This is the Ricci differential equation,
2
( ( 1) 1) 0 ( ) ( )
n n
w x n n w w Axj x Bxy x

'' + + + = = + .