Less than perfect quantum wavefunctions in momentum-space: How phi(p) senses disturbances in the force

Details Less than perfect quantum wavefunctions in momentum-space: How phi(p) senses disturbances in the force Less than perfect quantum wavefunctions in momentum-space: How phi(p) senses disturbances in the force

2010-10-20

arxiv.org/abs/1010.4244v1

Physics

Quantum Physics

22 pages, 2 figures. To appear in Am. J. Phys

Scientific paper

We develop a systematic approach to determine the large |p| behavior of the momentum-space wavefunction, phi(p), of a one-dimensional quantum system for wich the position-space wavefunction, psi(x), has a discontinuous derivative at any order. We find that if the k-th derivative of the potential energy function has a discontinuity, there is a corresponding discontinuity in psi^{(k+2)}(x) at the same point. This discontinuity leads directly to a power-law tail in the momentum-space wavefunction proportional to 1/p^{k+3}. A number of familiar pedagogical examples are examined in this context, leading to a general derivation of the result.

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