 Wavefunction normalization

Wavefunction normalization makes the total Born rule probability equal to one. In an orthonormal basis of energy eigenstates, $\psi ={\sum }_n{c}_n{\varphi }_n$ is normalized precisely when ${\sum }_n|c_n{|}^2=1$.

For a proposed infinite square well mode $A\sin (n\pi x/L)$, the integral of its squared modulus is $|A{|}^{2}L/2$. Thus wavefunction normalization requires $|A|=\sqrt{2/L}$; choosing $A$ real and positive fixes a convenient global phase. For the equal quantum superposition $({\varphi }_1+{\varphi }_2)/\sqrt{2}$, orthogonality makes the integrated cross term zero, leaving $1/2+1/2=1$. The cross term can nevertheless be nonzero locally: normalization constrains total probability, not the shape of its probability density.