Past exam of the further quantum theory course of the University of Oxford / 2023 / 2 / d / Solution

Continue the transmission amplitude to complex wavenumber $q=i\kappa$ with $\kappa >0$, equivalently complex momentum $k=i\hslash \kappa$. Then $E=-{\hslash }^2{\kappa }^2/(2m)<0$. In the left exterior region the $A$ term grows at negative infinity and the $B$ term decays; in the right exterior region the $D$ term grows and the $C$ term decays. A bound state thus requires $A=D=0$, with nonzero $B,C$. The transfer matrix relation gives $M_{22}(i\kappa )=0$. Equivalently, a zero of the incoming coefficient is a bound-state pole of $t(q)$, whose numerator is nonzero at $q=i\kappa$.

The denominator found in part (c) givesFactorization produces two branches. To identify their parity, use an even interior wavefunction $A\cosh (\kappa x)$ or an odd interior wavefunction $A\sinh (\kappa x)$ for $|x|<a$, joined to a decaying exterior wavefunction at $a$. Continuity and the derivative jump give, respectively,Rearrangement gives the implicit energy eigenvalue equationsOnly strictly positive equation roots $\kappa$ are retained. With $\nu =-\mu >0$, the even equation root lies above $\nu$ and the odd equation root, when it exists, lies below $\nu$, so the even bound state has lower energy. The formal zero equation root in the odd equation does not itself establish a normalizable wavefunction.