Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-further-quantum-theory-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2023/2/b/solution
Past exam of the further quantum theory course of the University of Oxford 2023 2 b Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-25
For a real potential energy and a stationary state, the probability current isThe time-independent Schrödinger equation gives , so . In an exterior plane wave superposition, interference terms contribute no current andConsequently for every choice of incoming amplitudes. If , this says for every complex vector . Since is Hermitian, vanishing of its quadratic form implies that the matrix itself vanishes. ThereforeThe second identity follows by choosing . Since is a square matrix, the first also implies , proving unitarity. A real delta potential preserves this proof: continuity of and the real derivative jump make the current continuous across the interaction point.
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