PHYS 478/601 Assignment 3

Due: Wednesday February 8, 2017

Problem 1

Suppose that we use delta function wells, instead of spikes (i.e., switch
the sign of in the formula for the potential in the Bloch model). Analyze
this case, constructing the graph of f (z). For the positive energy solutions,
this requires no new calculation, except that now is negative (use = 1.5
for the graph).
For the negative energy solutions additional work is needed.
Let 2mE/ h and z = a, for E < 0. How many states are in the
first allowed band?

Problem 2

Consider a symmetric rectangular double-well potential:

for |x| > a + b
V (x) = 0 for a < |x| < a + b
V0 > 0 for |x| < a.

Assuming that V0 is very high compared to the quantized energies of the

low-lying states, obtain an approximate expression for the energy splitting
between the two lowest-lying states.

Problem 3

(a) Take to be the parity operator and assume that [H, ] = 0. Show
that, if |En i is a non-degenerate energy eigenvector of H:

H|En i = En |En i,

then |En i is also a state of definite parity.

(b) Show this is the case for the one-dimensional harmonic oscillator,
and discuss its validity for other one-dimensional potentials: the infinite and
finite square well, and the potential.