Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-quantum-mechanics-quantum-theory-and-quantum-computers-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2007/a/3/solution
Past exam of the quantum mechanics quantum theory and quantum computers course of the University of Oxford 2007 A 3 Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-31
For a decaying bound state take . Substituting gives . The term involving the energy cancels , leaving the displayed equation withAt the lowest power of a series from the Frobenius method , the indicial equation is . Its roots are and . The latter makes and the radial probability density integral diverge for positive integral . Hence .
Equating the remaining coefficients givesUnless the numerator vanishes, the regular confluent-hypergeometric series contains a large-radius growing branch with the exponential factor . Multiplication by the external then leaves exponential growth, so it cannot be a normalizable bound state. Equivalently, the recurrence at large has , indicating that growing exponential scale; regularity at the origin has already fixed the combination of solutions, leaving termination as the way to remove it.
If the polynomial ends at degree index , its last recurrence numerator gives . With ,For the separate angle-independent exponential, normalization includes the full solid angle:Thus one can choose , up to an overall phase. Angle independence corresponds to the extension, distinct from the positive- family used in the indicial discussion.
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