1

Supersymmetry in Quantum Mechanics

4/22/2014
Jayant Krishan
12232
M.Sc Physics(F)
Mentor: Prof. Debajyoti Choudhury


2

Table of Contents
Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Formalism ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Hierarchy of Hamiltonians. ................................................................................................................. 9
Examples: .......................................................................................................................................... 11
1 . Particle in a box . ......................................................................................................................... 12
2. Harmonic oscillator ..................................................................................................................... 17
3. w = a x
3
....................................................................................................................................... 19
4 . Spherically symmetric case ( Hydrogen atom ) .......................................................................... 21
Supersymmetry - scattering potentials............................................................................................. 24
1. Particle in a box. ........................................................................................................................ 26
2. w = A tanh x ............................................................................................................................ 27
3. w = A ............................................................................................................................... 28
Broken Supersymmetry .................................................................................................................... 29
1. w = a x
2n
.................................................................................................................................... 30
2. w = a x
n
..................................................................................................................................... 33
3. w = a x
-n
..................................................................................................................................... 36
4. w = a cos x ............................................................................................................................... 38
5. Delta function. ........................................................................................................................... 41
Shape invariance ........................................................................................................................... 45
Supersymmetry, shape invariance and the polynomials. ................................................................. 48
Bibliography ...................................................................................................................................... 49



3

Acknowledgements

I am thankful to Prof. Debajyoti Choudhury and Prof. T.R Seshadri for their guidance and immense
support.
4

Introduction

In particle physics ,we say that by some transformation a boson can go to a fermion which
will be partner of the former and vice versa. This symmetry is known as Supersymmetry. If
this is true then each of these partners should have same quantum numbers except spin
which would differ by half integer. But this would lead to degeneracy between energy levels
of fermions and bosons which is not observed experimentally. I am not going to talk about
particle physics.
This idea of supersymmetry was extended to solve potentials analytically and determine
various solvable potentials. It also helps to relate and solve certain potentials exactly using
shape invariance and idea of supersymmetric partner potential for bounded and unbounded
systems.
Bound systems have discrete energy spectra and unbounded system have continuous
energy spectra. Using SUSY, we can determine S matrix for the partner potentials and one to
one correspondence between discrete energy spectra of the partner potentials.

5

Formalism
To solve for any quantum mechanical system, we solve Schrodinger equation for the
potential corresponding to system and evaluate eigen values and eigen functions.
Schrodinger equation is a second order differential equation and it is not easy to solve it for
every potential. So, we reduce this second order differential equation to first order
differential equations using factorization. And try to solve for various potentials using the
first order differential equations.

= E

H =

2
2m

d
dx
2
+ v(x)

2
2m

d
n
dx
2
+ v(x)
n
= E
n

n
(2)

For ground state , if E = 0

2
2
(x) = v(x) (x) (3)
v =

2
2m

(x)
(x)
(4)
H1 = A
+
A (5)
Where,

=

2

+ () (6)

+
=

2

+ ()

(7)

+
= [

2

+ ()][

2

+ ()]
=

2
2m

d
dx
2

2
() + () (8)
From 1 and 8,
v

=

2m
w +w(x) (9)
Similarly,
For
6



= AA (10)
AA
+
= [

2m
d
dx
+ w(x)] [

2m
d
dx
+ w(x)]
=

2
2m

d
dx
2
+

2m
w(x) + w(x) (11)

v

=

2m
w +w(x)

(12)

NOTE: Eigen values of both H1 and H2 are positive.
En 0 for n 0
|
+
| = | = ||A ||
So norm is a positive definite and hence energies are positive.

A and A are ladder operators.
A|n = |n-1
A|n = |n+1
A = 0 (13)
is the ground state wave function.
v and v are partner potentials.

Let n
(1)
and n
(2)
be eigen function corresponding to H1 and H2 respectively.
H1 n
(1)
=
+
n
(1)
= En
(1)
n
(1)
(14)

+
n
(1)
= En
(1)


( n
(1)
)
H ( n
(1)
)

= En
(1)


( n
(1)
) (15)
Hm
(2)
=
+
m
(2)
= Em
(2)
m
(2)
(16)

+
(
+
m
(2)
)

= Em
(2)
(
+
m
(2)
)
H(
+
m
(2)
)

= Em
(2)
(
+
m
(2)
) (17)
From (15) and (16)
7

m
(2)
= A n
(1)
n
(2)
= N A n+1
(1)
(18)
where N is some normalization constant.
En
(2)
= En+1
(1)
(19)
From (14) and (17)
n+1
(1)
=
+
n
(2)
(20)
En+1
(1)
= En
(2)
(21)
E
(1)
= 0 (22)

To determine normalization constant N. Let us assume we start with normalised eigen
functions corresponding to H1.
So,

n
(1)


n
(1)
dx = 1
N
*
N
n
(2)

n
dx = 1
|N|
2

n
(1)
A A
n
dx = 1

|N|
2

n
(1)
H
n
dx = 1
|N|
2
E
n
(1)

n
(1)

n
dx = 1
|N|
2
= ( En
(1)
)
-1

N = ( E
n

)
-1

n
(2)
= ( E
n

)
-1
A n+1
(1)

From 18, 19, 20 ,21 ,22 we conclude:
Energy spectra of H1 and H2 is degenerate except that H1 has an extra state ie, there
is no eigen state in H2 corresponding to ground state of H1. If the original
Hamiltonian had k bound states, partner Hamiltonian has k-1 bound states.
A converts eigen function of H1 to H2 and destroys a node in the wavefunction.
A converts eigen function of H2 to H1 and creates a node in the wavefunction.
8

As ground state of H1 annihilated by A, so it has no SUSY partner.
So, given a wave function corresponding to any one of the two Hamiltonians, we can
determine the spectra for the other Hamiltonian. ( Except for ground state of H1 from H2 )
This degeneracy in spectra can be visualized from SUSY algebra. ie,
[ H , Q ] = 0 [ H , Q ] = 0
If we have an exactly solvable potential with at least one bound state, we can find its
corresponding partner potential which too will be exactly solvable.( Will have identical
energy spectra ).
A = 0


2m
d
dx
+ w(x) = 0 (23)
w(x)

=

2m

w(x) =

2m

(24)

d

=
2m

w dx
ln
0
=
2m

w dx


= e

2m

w dx
(25)

9

Hierarchy of Hamiltonians.
Given a ground state wave function corresponding to a potential, we determined a
superpotential, the two partner potentials and their corresponding Hamiltonian. We started
with zero ground state energy for SUSY to be unbroken. Now we argue that if we shift
energies and make ground state energy corresponding to the second Hamiltonian zero, we
can further determine the superpotential and the partner potential v corresponding to
potential v. We can do some transformation and make the ground state energies zero and
keep on finding partner potentials, relate the corresponding Hamiltonian till we exhaust all
the bound states. We can determine the complete spectra of the given potential given its
ground state wave function.
Let E
(1)
be ground state energy of H and
(1)
be its ground state eigen function.
w =

2m

=

2m

ln

v = w

2m
w + E
(1)
A = (

2m
d
dx
+ w )
A = (

2m
d
dx
+ w)
H = AA + E
(1)

=

2
2m
d
dx
+ v

(x)
H = AA + E
(1)

=

2
2m
d
dx
+ v

(x)
v = w +

2m
w + E
(1)

= v(x) +

2
2m
w


= v(x)
2
2
2m

ln
(1)

En
(2)
= En+1
(1)

n
(2)
= (En+1
(1)
- E
(1)
)
-
A n+1
(1)

ground state energy of H is:
E0
(2)
= E1
(1)

10

Now , we can construct Hamiltonian H by writing H as:
H = AA + E1
(1)

Where
A = (

2m
d
dx
+ w )
A = (

2m
d
dx
+ w )
w =

2m

=

2m

ln
1

We do scaling and make ground state energy of H zero and determine the partner
Hamiltonian H to H.
Therefore,
v = w

2m
w + E
(1)

H = AA + E1
(1)

=
d
dx
+ v(x)
v(x) = w +

2m
w + E
(1)

= v(x) + 2

2m
w


= v(x)
2
2
2m
ln
(2)

= v(x)
2
2
2m

ln
(1)

2
2
2m
ln
(2)

= v(x) 2

2
2m

ln[
0
(1)

0
(2)
]

En
(3)
= En+1
(2)
= En+2
(1)
n
(3)
= (En+1
(2)
- E
(2)
)
-
An+1
(2)

= (En+2
(1)
- E1
(1)
)
-
(En+2
(1)
- E
(1)
)
-
AA n+2
(1)

We can keep determining the next partner Hamiltonian till all the bound states are
exhausted. So energy spectra of the partner Hamiltonians can be expressed in terms of
solutions of original Hamiltonian. If there are k bound states, we can find k-1 partner
11

Hamiltonians.the energy spectra of the i
th
Hamiltonian will be same as original one with i-1
less eigen states.
Hm = AmAm + Em-1
(1)

Am = (

2m
d
dx
+ w
m
)
Am = (

2m
d
dx
+ w
m
)
w
m
(x) =

2m

ln
(m)

En
(m)
= En+1
(m-1)
= En+2
(m-2 )
= En+m-1
(1)


n
(m)
= (En+m-1
(1)
- Em-2
(1)
)
-
....(En+m-1
(1)
- E0
(1)
)
-
Am-1..... A n+m-1
(1))


v
m
(x) = v(x) 2

2
2m

ln
(1)

(2)
.
(m1)

Energy spectra of a large number of potentials can be determined using this technique but
we need to ensure that the ground state energies are zero for SUSY to be unbroken. To
determine the actual energy, we need to add the shift in energy we introduced.

Now, let us try to solve some potentials using SUSY.
Examples:
12

1 . Particle in a box .

V = 0 0 < x < L
= - x 0 , x L
Schrodinger eqn:

2
2m

d
n
dx
2
+ v(x)
n
= E
n

n


For 0 < x < L

2
2m

d
n
dx
2
= E
n

n



d
n
dx
2
=
2m

2
E
n

n

Let
2m

2
E
n
= k

d
n
dx
2
+ k
n
= 0
Solution of this eqn is given by :

n
= Acos kx + Bsin kx
A and B are constants determined usind boundary conditions.
Boundary conditions:

n
(x = 0) =
n
(x = L) = 0
At x=0
A = 0
At x=L,
0 = B sin kL
But B 0
sin kL = 0
kL = n
k =
n

2m

2
E
n
= k
2

13


2m

2
E
n
=
n

E
n
=
n
2


n
(x) = Nsin
nx
L
n = 1,2,3,4,
N is some normalization constant .

n
dx = 1
sin
nx
L
sin
nx
L

0
= 1

|N|
2
(1 cos
nx
L

0
) = 1
N =
2

E
0
=

2

For a Hamiltonian to be factorizable, it should be defined so as to have zero ground state
energy. Thus,
H1 = H E0
En
(1)
=

n
2

2

= (
2
1)

2
n = 1,2,3,.........
Here n is starting from 1 so n=1 corresponds to ground state. Generally we take n=0 for
ground state so let
n n-1
now normalized energy eigen values and eigen functions are given by:

En
(1)
= ( +2)

2
n = 0,1,2,3,.......

(1)
=
2

sin(( +1)
x

) for 0 x L

(1)
=
2

( +1)

cos (( +1)
x

)
14



(1)
=
2

sin (
x

)

0
(1)
=
2

cos (
x

)
w(x) =

2m

w(x) =

2m

L
cot (
x
L
)
Now ,
v

= w
2
(x)

2m
w
=

2
2m
(

) cot (
x

2
2m
(

) cosec (
x

)
=

2
2m
(

) [1 +cosec (
x

) cosec (
x

)]
=

2
2m
(

)
v

= w
2
(x) +

2m
w
=

2
2m
(

) cot (
x

) +

2
2m
(

) cosec (
x

)
=

2
2m
(

) [1 +cosec (
x

) + cosec (
x

)]
=

2
2m
(

) [1 +2 cosec (
x

)]
Though these two partner potentials differ in shape but from SUSY QM , both have the same
energy spectra except that v2 has one less energy eigen state as compared to v1.
The wave functions of the two potentials are related as:
n
(2)
= ( E
n

)
-1
A n+1
(1)

(1)
=
2

sin(( +1)
x

)

(1)
=
2

sin (
x

)

(1)
=
2

2 sin(
2x

)
15


n
(2)
= E
n
[

2

+ ()] n+1
(1)

0
(2)
=
2mL
3
[

2

cot (
x

)]
2

2 sin(
2x

)
= 2
2
3L
sin (
x

)
this will be the ground state corresponding to potential v2.
En
(2)
= En+1
(1)

E0
(2)
=
3
2

So the energy spectra is just shifted by one energy level.

8
2
____________ ____________ ____________

3
2
____________ ____________
0 ____________
E
n
E
n
E
n

(After scaling of ground state of original Hamiltonian H)
To obtain higher order potentials, we can start with v and
(2)
as my initial potential and
ground state wave function respectively, do scaling so as to make energy corresponding to
this potential equal to zero.
H = AA
H = AA

(2)
= 2
2
3L
sin (
x

)
= 2
2
3L
2
L
sin (
x

) cos (
x

)
Now, we can get the second superpotential partner:
w

=

2m

(2)

w

=

2m

2
2
3L
2
L
sin(
x

) sin(
x

)
2
2
3L
sin(
x

)

16

=

2m
2
L
cot (
x

)
v

= w
2
(x) +

2m
w

=

2
2m
(
4

) cot (
x

) +

2
2m
(
2

) cosec (
x

)
=

2
2m
(
2

) (2 cot (
x

) + cosec (
x

) )
n
(3)
= ( E
n

E
n

)
-1
A n+1
(2)
0
(3)
sin (
x

)
we can get w , v
4
considering 0
(3)
as new ground state and keep repeating the process
till exhaust all the bound states to construct the whole family of solvable potentials.
v
m
=

2
2m
(
2

) ((m1) cot (
x

) + (m2)cosec (
x

) )
0
(m)
sin
m
(
x

)
H
m
= A
m
A
m

H
m+1
= A
m
A
m

The ground state energy of the each next partner potential will be greater than of the
previous one. The ground state wave function of each partner potential will be
nodeless.


Fig : Two partner potentials have different shape but their energy spectra is same except that there
is no eigen state corresponding to H in H. Note : ground state of both potentials is nodeless.(Fig
taken from Supersymmetry in Quantum Mechanics, Cooper, Khare, Sukhatme)
v

= cosec (
x

)
v

=0
17

2. Harmonic oscillator
=
p
2
2m
+
1
2
m
2
x
2

v =
1
2
m
2
x
2

v =
1
2
k x
2

where,
k = m
2

Schrdinger equation :

2
2m

d
n
dx
2
+ v(x)
n
= E
n

n

2
2m

d
n
dx
2
+
1
2
m
2
x
2

n
= E
n

n

2
2m

d
n
dx
2
+
1
2
k x
2

n
= E
n

n

E
n
= (n + )
E
0
=
H1 = H E0
En
(1)
= (n + )
= n
Ground state wave function is given by:

0
= (
m

)
1/4
e

mx
2
2


0
= (
m

)
1/4
(
2mx

2
) e

mx
2
2

w(x) =

2m

=

2m
(
mx

)
w(x) =

2m
(
m

)
v

= w
2
(x)

2m
w
18

=

2
2m
m
2

2
x
2

2
2m
m
2

2

=
1
2
m
2
x
2

1
2
m
2


v

= w
2
(x) +

2m
w

=

2
2m
m
2

2
x
2

2
+

2
2m
m
2

2

=
1
2
m
2
x
2
+
1
2
m
2

v = v
2
+ m
2

v
1
and v
2
are same in shape but one is shifted wrt other. So both these potentials have
same energy spectra.
n
(2)
= ( E
n

)
-1
A n+1
(1)

1
(1)
= (
m

)
1/4

2m

xe

mx
2
2

E1
(1)
=
3
2

0
(2)
= [

2

+ ()] (
m

)
1/4

2m

xe

mx
2
2

= [

2

+

2m
(
mx

)] (
m

)
1/4

2m

xe

mx
2
2

= (
m

)
1/4

2m

mx
2
2
[

2m

m

x
2
+

2m
(
mx

)]
E0
(2)
=
3
2



5
2
____________ ____________ ____________

3
2
____________ ____________

2
____________
E
n
E
n
E
n

19

3. w = a x
3


w = 3 a x
2

w
2
= a
2
x
6

v1 = a
2
x
6
- 3 a x
2

v2 = a
2
x
6
+ 3 a x
2

(1)
=

(1)
=

a x


(1)
=

a x
4

The potential corresponding to v will be equal to v1 upto some additive constant, so we can
determine the ground state energy upto some additive constant by solving Schrdinger
equation for ground state energy.
Schrodinger eqn:

2
2m

d
n
dx
2
+ v(x)
n
= E
n

n

2
2m

d
0
dx
2
+ v(x)
0
= E
0

0

[v(x) E
0
]dx
2
=

2
2m


0

0

v(x) = a
2
x
6
- 3 a x
2
+ constant

2
2m

d
n
dx
2
+ (a
2
x
6
3 a x
2
+ constant)
n
= E
n

n

2
2m

d
(1)
dx
2
+ (a
2
x
6
3 a x
2
+ constant)
(1)
= E
0

(1)

2
2m

d

a x
4
dx
2
+ (a
2
x
6
3 a x
2
+ constant)

a x
4
= E
0

a x
4

Let

2
2m
= 1
E
0
= 2ax +constant
For a = 1
v1 = x
6
- 3 x
2

20



v = x
6
+ 3 x
2



The potential v2 is a single well potential and v1 is a double well potential , still both have
same energy spectra though their shape entirely different.
So if we can get solution of v2 we can easily find out the energy eigen functions and eigen
values of the potential v1.

21

4 . Spherically symmetric case ( Hydrogen atom )
V(r) = -
1

Schrodinger equation:

2
2m

n
+ v(r)
n
= E
n

n
(4.1)

=
1
r

r
(r

r
) +
1
rsin

(sin

) +
1
rsin
(

) (4.2)



= R
nlm
(r) Y
lm
(, ) (4.3)
Due to spherical symmetry, we can separate radial and angular part .
Substitute values from (4.2) and (4.3) in (4.1)

2
2m
[
Y
r

r
(r
R(r)
r
) +
R
rsin

(sin
Y

) +
R
rsin
(
Y

)]-
1

R(r)Y(,)=E
n
R(r)Y(,)

[
Y
r

r
(r
R(r)
r
) +
R
rsin

(sin
Y

) +
R
rsin
(
Y

)]
2m

2
[
1

] R(r)Y(,)=0
by R(r)Y(,)
[
1
R

r
(r
R(r)
r
) +
1
Ysin

(sin
Y

) +
1
Ysin
(
Y

)]
2mr

2
[
1

]=0


1
R

r
(r
R(r)
r
)
2mr

2
[
1

] =
1
Ysin

(sin
Y

) +
1
Ysin
(
Y

)
Since LHS is a function of R only and RHS function of (,), must be equal to some constant.
1
R

r
(r
R(r)
r
)
2mr

2
[
1

] = l(l +1)
Let us do a transformation to reduce this equation further.
() =
u(r)

R
r
=
1
r

u
r

u(r)
r

22

r
R
r
= r
u
r
u(r)

(r
R
r
) =

(r
u
r
u(r))
= r
u
r

r
(r
R(r)
r
)
2mr
2

2
[
1

+ l(l +1)] R(r) = 0

r
u(r)
r

2mr

2
[
1

+
l(l +1)

2
] u(r) = 0

2
2m

2
u(r)
r
2
+(
1

+
l(l +1)

2
)u(r) = E u(r)

This is identical to 1-D Schrdinger equation with potential:
=
1
r
+
l(l +1)
r
2

states having same l value are degenerate.
A =

2m
d
dr
+ w(r) A
+
=

2m
d
dr
+ w(r)
Let

2
2m
= 1
w - w = (r) (upto additive constant)
let us choose :
w =
(l+1)
r
+
1
2(l+1)

w =
(l +1)
r
+
1
4(l +1)

1
r

w =
(l+1)
r

w - w =
l(l+1)
r

1
r
+ constant
A =

r

(l +1)
r
+
1
2(l +1)


23

A
+
=

r

(l +1)
r
+
1
2(l +1)

Hl
(1)
=
+
= (

r

(l+1)
r
+
1
2(l+1)
) (

r

(l+1)
r
+
1
2(l+1)
)
Hl
(1)
=

r
+
l(l+1)
r

1
r
+
1
4(l+1)

Hl+1
(1)
=

r
+
(l+1)(l+2)
r

1
r
+
1
4(l+2)

Hl
(2)
=
+
= (

r

(l+1)
r
+
1
2(l+1)
) (

r

(l+1)
r
+
1
2(l+1)
)
=

r
+
(l+1)(l+2)
r

1
r
+
1
4(l+1)

Hl
(2)
= Hl+1
(1)
+
1
4(l+1)

1
4(l+2)

So eigen values of Hl
(1)
and Hl
(2)
are related.


(1)
___________________
(1)


(1)
___________________
(1)


(1)
___________________
(1)


(1)
___________________
En
(1)
En
(2)
There is also a shift in the energy levels of the two partner potentials.

24

Supersymmetry - scattering potentials.
Potentials having no bound states have continuous energy spectra and finite reflection and
transmission coefficients.These coefficients for the partner potentials can be related using
supersymmetry.
For scattering, potentials should be finite and corresponding wave function also non zero as
x.
Let us define superpotential w such that
W (x) = w
Let us consider an incoming plane wave

of energy E coming from -. v1 and v2 be the

partner potentials.
Reflected and transmitted waves corresponding to v1 are given by :
R1(k)

T1(k)

respectively.
Reflected and transmitted waves corresponding to v2 are given by :
R2(k)

T2(k)

respectively. Now,
(k,x -)

+ R1(k)

(k,x ) T1(k)

(k,x -)

+ R2(k)

(k,x ) T2(k)

The wave functions corresponding to partner potentials are given by:
n+1
(1)
=
+
n
(2)

+ R1(k)

= N (

2

+ ) (

+ R(k)

)
Let

2
2m
= 1

+ R1(k)

= N[( +)

+ ( +)R(k)

]
25

Equating coefficients of powers of exponentials,
N =
1
(+)

R1(k) =
( ik+ w )
(ik+w)
R(k)
T1(k)

= N (
d
dx
+ w
+
) T2(k)

T1(k) =
(ik

+ w
+
)
(ik+w )
T2(k)

Remarks:
|R1 |
2
= |R2 |
2

|T1 |
2
= |T2 |
2

All partner potentials have same reflection and transmission probabilities.

If w

= w
+

T1(k) = T2(k)
ie the transmission coefficients of partner potentials are identical.
If w

= 0
R1(k) = - R(k)

Let us solve some examples and try to extract information about nature of potentials
and their corresponding partner potentials.

26

1. Particle in a box.

V = 0 0 < x < L
= - x 0 , x L
w(x) =

2m

L
cot (
x
L
)
v = w -

2
w
= -

2
2m
(

)
v = w -

2
w
=

2
2m
(

) [1 +2 cosec (
x

)]

Since v1 is a constant potential, so particle will be free and hence we can conclude that
potential v is also reflectionless.











27

2. w = A tanh x

w = A tanh x
w = A sech x
v = w -

2
w
= A tanh x -

2
A sech x
= A - A ( A +

2
) sech x
v = w -

2
w
= A - A ( A -

2
) sech x
For A =

2


v = A
=

2

Since v is a constant potential, therefore particle under its influence is free. It is
not easy to solve for V1 and predict its properties,but using SUSY we, can
conclude that corresponding partner potential :
v =

2
(1 2sech x)
is also reflectionless and will have one bound state.


__________________ No bound states.
En
(1)
En
(2)



28

3. w = A

w = A
2

w = A

v = A
2
-

2
A

v = A
2
+

2
A

w = W (x-) = 0
R1(k) =
( + )
(+)
R(k)
R1(k) = - R(k)
ie reflection coefficient of one partner is opposite to that of other. There will be a phase
difference of between the waves reflected by the partner potentials.

29

Broken Supersymmetry
Given a ground state wave function corresponding to a potential, we can factorize the
Hamiltonian and find the SUSY partner Hamiltonian corresponding to partner potential.
If we start with some superpotential, we can determine its ground state using :

(1)
= Ne

2m

w dx


(2)
= Ne

2m

w dx

Convention: if there exists a normalizable zero energy ground stateeigen function, it will
correspond to H. So choose w such that:
w > 0 for x >> 0
w < 0 for x << 0
for SUSY to be unbroken,
Q |0 = Q |0 = 0 |0

() = [

(1)

()
0
]
If H does not have zero energy ground state eigen function, SUSY is broken.
ie,
(1)

(x) 0

(2)

(x) 0
|0 (x) = [

(1)

(x)

(2)

(x)
] SUSY broken!!!

(1)
_________________ _________________
(2)



(1)

_________________ _________________
(2)



(1)

_________________ _________________
(2)



(1)
_________________ _________________
(2)


En
(1)


En
(2)
Both the partner potential have same spectra.

Consider few potentials:
30

1. w = a x
2n
n is some integer
a is some constant which can be positive or negative.
w = a x
2n
(some even function)
w = 2n a x
2n-1
(some odd function)
w = a x
4n
(some even function)


(1)
= Ne
a
2m

x
2n
dx


(1)
= Ne
a
2m
(2n+1)
x
2n+1


At x

(1)
= 0
At x -

(1)
=
So,

(1)
is not normalizable.
Similarly,

(2)
= Ne

2m

x
2n
dx


(2)
= Ne
a
2m
(2n+1)
x
2n+1


At x -

(2)
= 0
At x

(2)
=
Hence,

(1)
is also not normalizable.
|0 (x) = [

0
(1)

(x)

0
(2)

(x)
]

v = w -

2
w
31

v = a x
4n
-

2
2n a x
2n-1
v = w +

2
w

v = a x
4n
+

2
2n a x
2n-1
Let n=1, a=1

v = x
4
-
2
2
x



v = x
4
+
2
2
x


v(x) = v(-x)
v(x)
x
v(x)
32

The two partner potentials are mirror images of each other, hence have exactly same
energy spectra and SUSY is broken.
En
(1)
= En
(2)
n
(2)
= [ En
(1)
]
(-)
A n
(1)

n
(1)
= [ En
(2)
]
(-)
A n
(2)

since wave functions are not normalizable, there are continuous energy eigen states.
Reflection and transmission coefficients due to scattering are given as :
R1(k) =
( + )
(+)
R(k)
T1(k) =
(

+
+
)
(+ )
T2(k)

If the wavefunction limited to x 0
Potential v will have one extra bound state as compared to v2 and rest of the spectra for
both partner potentials is same. By confining ourselves in the limit x > 0, one of the bound
states of v2 is reduced. The ground state of the original Hamiltonian is nodeless but ground
state of the partner potential will have one node.
3
(1)
________________ ________________ n
(2)

2
(1)
________________ ________________ n
(2)

1
(1)
________________ ________________ n
(2)

0
(1)
________________
En
(1)
En
(2)


33

2. w = a x
n
n is some odd integer
A is some constant which can be positive or negative.
w = a x
n
(some odd function)
w = n a x
n-1
(some even function)
w = a x
2n
(some even function)
v = w -

2
w
v = a x
2n
-

2
n a x
n-1
v = w +

2
w

v = a x
2n
+

2
n a x
n-1


(1)
= Ne
a
2m

x
n
dx


(1)
= Ne
a
2m
(n+1)
x
n+1


At x

(1)
= 0
At x -

(1)
= 0
So,

(1)
is normalizable.
Similarly,

(2)
= Ne

2m

x
n
dx


(2)
= Ne
a
2m
(n+1)
x
n+1



At x -

(2)
=
At x
34

(2)
=
Therefore

(2)
is not normalizable.
Ground state wavefunction corresponding to v is zero while that of v is non zero.

() = [

(1)

()
0
]
SUSY is unbroken. Eigen states and eigen values of partner potentials are related as:
E
n+1
(1)
= E
n
(2)
n
(2)
= [ En
(1)
]
(-)
A n+1
(1)

n+1
(1)
= [ En
(2)
]
(-)
A n
(2)

Let a=1, n=3


v = x
6
-
3
2
x
2


v = x
6
+
3
2
x
2

35


Though the partner potentials have different shape but the energy spectra is same
except that the ground state of one potential has an extra eigen state ie there is no eigen
state in energy spectra of v corresponding to ground state of v.

We can relate the double well and a single well potentials whenever,
v, = a x
2n


2
n a x
n-1

n can be any odd integer




36

3. w = a x
-n
n is some odd integer
A is some constant which can be positive or negative.
w = a x
-n
(some odd function)
w = -n a x
n-1
(some even function)
w = a x
-2n
(some even function)
v = w -

2
w
v = a x
-2n
+

2
n a x
-n-1
v = w +

2
w

v = a x
-2n
-

2
n a x
-n-1


(1)
= Ne
a
2m

x
n
dx


(1)
= Ne
a
2m
(n+1)
x
n+1


At x

(1)
= 1
At x -

(1)
= 1
So,

(1)
is not normalizable.
Similarly,

(2)
= Ne
a
2m

x
n
dx


(2)
= Ne
a
2m
(n+1)
x
n+1



At x -

(2)
= 1
At x
37

(2)
= 1
Therefore

(2)
is not normalizable.
For a =

2
=1 , n=1
v = 2 x
-2


v = 0
so, for n = 1, particle is free and there are no bound states.
This potential is reflectionless and hence potential v is also reflectionless.
for n=3,
v = x
-6
- 3 x
-4


Potential v has no bound state, and there is a singularity at x=0 in both the partner
potentials but the potential 2 has one bound state.
So we will assume that H has one bound state and correspond to the potential v.
38

4. w = a cos x

w = a cos x
w = -a sin x
v = w -

2
w
= a cos x +

2
a sin x


v = w +

2
w
= a cos x -

2
a sin x



(1)
= Ne
a
2m

cosx dx


(1)
= Ne
a
2m

sinx

39

at x

(1)
0
w 0

(2)
= Ne
a
2m

cosx dx


(2)
= Ne
a
2m

sinx

At x

(2)
0
Since potential is finite at and wave functions are not normalizable, but here
normalizability is not a problem.
We will get scattering states.
|0 (x) = [

0
(1)

(x)

0
(2)

(x)
]
As the potentials are periodic with period 2,
V(x) = v(x + 2)
The solution can be written in the form:
( x + a ) = e
2iq
(x)
The ground state wavefunction are nodeless and has to be periodic with same period as that
of the potential ie 2. SUSY predicts that the partner Hamiltonian wavefunction will too
have the same period. We can normalize the ground state wave functions for a finite
interval.
Let

2
2
= 1

(1)
(x) = Ne
a
1

sinx


0
(2)
(x) = Ne
a
1

sinx
= N[e
a
1

sinx
] [
0
(1)
(x)]
For these to be acceptable solutions, they should satisfy above periodicity conditions.

(1)
(x + 2) = Ne
w(x)dx
e
w(x)dx
x+2
x

a cos x dx
x+2
x
= 0
40

Therefore,

(1)
(x + 2) = Ne
w(x)dx
=
(1)
(x)
Similarly,

(2)
(x + 2) = Ne
w(x)dx
=
(2)
(x)
Now let us try to find a partner Hamiltonian to H2.
w =

=
dln (x )
dx

w(x) =
(x)
( x)

=
d ln ( x )
dx

=
d ln [ ( x )]
dx

=
d ln ( x )
dx

= - w(x)
v(x ) = w + w
= w w
= v(x)
So v is partner potential to v and vice versa.
v(x) = v (-x)
Since the partner potentials are mirror images of each other, In bound states, partner
potentials have identical energy spectra. Both are isospectral.
En
(1)
= En
(2)
n
(2)
= [ En
(1)
]
(-)
A n
(1)

n
(1)
= [ En
(2)
]
(-)
A n
(2)
NOTE: This formalism valid iff w(x)dx
x+2
x
= 0

41


5. Delta function.

v = - a (x) = {
x = 0
0 else

Though delta function tends to infinity, but the integra of delta function has finite
constant value.


II

2
2m

d
n
dx
2
+ v(x)
n
= E
n

n
5.1

2
2m
a (x)
n
= E
n

n
In the region to (Region II) 5.2

2
2m

d
n
dx
2
= E
n

n
Else (region I and III) 5.3
For region I and III

d
n
dx
2
+
2m

2
E
n

n
= 0
k
2
=
2mE

2
5.4
For region II

d
n
dx
2
+
2m

2
(v E
n
)
n
= 0
k
2
=
2m(vE)

2

Solutions of the eqn will be:
= C e
kx
+ D e
-kx
Region I
III
I


x
-
42

= E e
kx
+ F e
-kx
Region III

for x<0
= C e
kx
5.5
for x>0
= F e
-kx
5.6
Integrate equation 5.2
[

2
2m

d
2
n
dx
2
a (x)
n
(x)]dx =

E
n

n
dx

+
2m

2
a

(0) = E
n

n
dx

The term on RHS tends to zero as it is area of infinitesimal region. Second term on the
left is some constant term, which is equal to k. first term is the difference in slope of the
wavefunction at the boundaries.
The wavefunction should be continuous at the boundaries but the derivative is
discontinuous. So it reduces to :

= -
2m

2
a

(0)
k =
ma

2
5.7
from 5.4 and 5.7

m
2
a
2

=
2mE

2

E = -
ma
2
2

Since this energy is n independent, there is only one bound state in the system.
Ground state wave function will be:
(x) = N e

ma|x|

2

for x < 0,
(x) = N
ma

2
e

ma|x|

2

w-(x)=
N

2m
ma

2
e

ma|x|

2
N e

ma|x|

2

43

w-(x) =
m
2
a

for x > 0,
(x) = -N
ma

2
e

ma|x|

2

w+(x) =
N

2m
ma

2
e

ma|x|

2
N e

ma|x|

2

w+(x) =
m
2
a

w(x) =
{

w

(x) =
m
2
a

x < 0
w

(x) =
m
2
a

x > 0

w(x)

m
2
a

x


m
2
a

v = w -

2
w
Derivative of w in the limit x0- will be attractive delta potential and will be same as v
except for a constant shift.
v =
ma
2
2


2
a (x)

ma
2
2

x

-
44

Derivative of w in the limit x0+ will be delta peak.
v =
ma
2
2
+

2
a (x)




ma
2
2

x
So the potential has one bound state and the partner potential has no bound state.

45

Shape invariance
Assuming SUSY to be unbroken, potentials can be solved analytically if the partner
potentials have same shape and only differ by parameters. ie,
Partner potentials are said to be shape invariant if:
v(x,a) = v(x,a) + R(a)
a are set of parameters and a are functions of a
a = f(a)
and the remainder R(a) is independent of x. If we know the energy eigen values and
eigen functions of one of the potentials, we can determine the energy spectra of the
other potential if SUSY is unbroken. If SUSY broken, both the partner potentials have
same energy spectra. Shape invariance and SUSY can also be used to determine the
energy spectra for a given potential. Say if H has k bound states, we can construct k-1
Hamiltonians having same energy spectra except first m-1 states will be missing in m
th
Hamiltonian. Any scaling in the parameters will leave this conditions invariant as it can
be absorbed in f(a) = a. We start with
E(a) = 0
( x , a ) = e

2m

w dx

H =

2
2m

d
dx
2
+v(x, a)
H =

2
2m

d
dx
2
+v(x, a)
=

2
2m

d
dx
2
+v

(x, a

) + R(a

)
We can shift H by R(a

) to get zero ground state energy as it is condition for
factorization of Hamiltonian. Similarly we can write,
H =

2
2m

d
dx
2
+v(x, a)
=

2
2m

d
dx
2
+v

(x, a

) + R(a

)
a = f(a)
H =

2
2m

d
dx
2
+v

(x, a

) + R(a

) + R(a)
We can generalize this:
H
m
=

2
2m

d
2
dx
2
+v
1

(x, a
m

) + R(a
i
)
m1
i=1

46

H (x , a) =

2
2m

d (x ,a)
dx
2
+v

(x, a

) (x , a) + R(a

) (x , a)
= R(a

) (x , a)
Since ground state energy of H is zero

2
2m

d (x ,a)
dx
2
+v

(x, a

)
(1)
(x , a) = H
(1)
(x , a) = 0
Therefore,
E = R(a)
So, we can express the ground state energy of H as the remainder. This is also the first
excited state of H. If we shift the energy and make ground state of H zero, we can find
partner potential H whose ground state energy will be R(a). We can reduce the
ground state of each partner potential in terms of constant remainder terms....
Generalized equations will be:
H
m
(x , a
m
) = (

2
2m

d
2
dx
2
+ v
1
)

(x , a
m
) + R(a
i
)
m1
i=1
(x , a
m
)
= R(a
i
)
m1
i=1
(x , a
m
)
E
(m)
= R(a
i
)
m1
i=1

This is the ground state energy of the m
th
Hamiltonian or the (m-1)
th
energy state of the
first Hamiltonian. This gives the energy spectra of first Hamiltonian and (m-1) partner
potentials Hamiltonians with one state less in each successive partner Hamiltonian.
E
m
(1)
= E
(m)
= R(a
i
)
m1
i=1

E = 0
Similarly, we can relate the wave functions of the partner Hamiltonians.
(x , a) =[E]
-
A( x , a) (x , a)
n
(2)
= (En+1
(1)
)
-
A n+1
(1)


n
(x , a) =[En-1]
-
A( x , a) n-1 (x)




47

Shifted Harmonic oscillator
w =
1
2
x b
w =
1
2

now we can find two partner potentials using the superpotential.
v = (
1
2
x b )
2
-
1
2

=
1
4

2
(x
2b

)
2
-
1
2

v = (
1
2
x b )
2
+
1
2

=
1
4

2
(x
2b

)
2
+
1
2

H =

2
2m

d
dx
2
+v(x, )
H =

2
2m

d
dx
2
+v(x, )
v = v + R()

1
4

2
(x
2b

)
2
+
1
2
=
1
4

2
(x
2b

)
2
-
1
2
+ R()
R() =
Therefore, this remainder is the ground state energy of partner Hamiltonian or first
excited state of H.
E = E
1
(1)
= R() =
f( ) =
We can find all the partner Hamiltonians and determine the complete energy spectra
and all the ground state of partner potential and excited state of original potential can
be expressed in terms of remainder terms. Therefore,
E
n
(1)
= E
(n)
= R(
i
)
n
i=1
= n

(1)
= Ne

2m

w(x) dx


(1)
= Ne

2m

(
1
2
xb) dx


(1)
= Ne

2m

(
1
4
xbx)

48

Supersymmetry, shape invariance and the polynomials.
The solution to harmonic oscillator is given by hermite polynomials. Harmonic
oscillator has shape invariance symmetry, so we can use this formalism to study is there
any shape invariance symmetry of these polynomials responsible for the former.
We can again factorize second order differential equations and extend this technique to
study them.

49

Bibliography

Supersymmetry in Quantum Mechanics. by Cooper, Khare, Sukhatme .
Supersymmetry, shape invariance and the Legendre equations. by D. Bazeia, Ashok Das