Eigenenergies of a Relativistic Particle in an Infinite Range Linear Potential Using WKB Method

  • T. Shivalingaswamy Government College for Women
  • B. A. Kagali Bangalore University

Abstract

Energy eigenvalues for a non-relativistic particle in a linear potential well are available. In this paper we obtain the eigenenergies for a relativistic spin less particle in a similar potential using an extension of the well-known WKB method treating the potential as the time component of a four-vector potential. Since genuine bound states do not exist for positive rising potentials, our calculations are valid only for fairly low-lying levels. The transcendental eigenvalue equation that is obtained is solved using Mathematica software to get eigenenergies. Our results are compared with those for the non-relativistic case. The results may find applications besides having conceptual significance.

References

Bransden, B.H., & Joachain, C.J. (2004). Quantum Mechanics, 2nd ed., Pearson Education: India.
Casaubon, R. (2007). Variation Principle for a Linear Potential. Turk. J. Phys. 31, 117–121.
Kagali, B. A., Sharada, N., & Vijay, S. (1997). Phase space integration method for bound states. Am. J. Phys. 65, 563–564.
Shankar, R. (2010). Principles of quantum mechanics. 2nd edition, Springer, Third Indian reprint.
Trost, J., & Friedrich, H. (1997). WKB and exact wave functions for inverse power law potentials. Phi. Let. A. 228, 127–133.
Wolfram, S. (1996). The Mathematica book. 3rd edn. Wolfram Media / Cambridge University Press, USA.
Published
2011-04-02
How to Cite
SHIVALINGASWAMY, T.; KAGALI, B. A.. Eigenenergies of a Relativistic Particle in an Infinite Range Linear Potential Using WKB Method. European Journal of Physics Education, [S.l.], v. 2, n. 2, p. 72-76, apr. 2011. ISSN 1309-7202. Available at: <https://eu-journal.org/index.php/EJPE/article/view/138>. Date accessed: 27 apr. 2024.
Section
Classroom Physics