For , the lowest odd scattering resonance pole lies near the first odd mode trapped between the barriers:in its real part and to leading nonzero order in its imaginary part. Writing , the survival probability decays as .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2007 ii Paper 1 33A Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ii Paper 4 33C b iii Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
Let and . A denominator zero away from the removable zero at obeysNear , write and choose the logarithm branch with . Expanding givesConsequentlyThe lower-half-plane pole is a scattering resonance: an odd standing wave is nearly confined between the two high repulsive barriers but leaks out slowly. If , then and its probability lifetime is . It is not a genuine bound state of the repulsive potential.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2020 ii Paper 1 35C Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-29
In the Parity basis of a one-dimensional S-matrix, parity acts as . Parity invariance requiresand thereforeIndependently, unitarity givesCombining parity and unitarity leaves two phases,
For the symmetric double-delta potential, consider the odd channel on . Choose the asymptotic conventionand write for ; the sine enforces odd parity at the origin. Continuity and the delta potential derivative jump at giveEliminating yields the Odd-parity S-matrix of a symmetric double-delta potentialUsing rewrites this as the requested expressionFor real , the two factors in the ratio are complex conjugates, directly confirming .
A bound state occurs at a pole , . Setting the denominator to zero givesorFor , write . The right-hand side is increasing and concave, starts at zero with slope , and approaches , whereas the left-hand side is the straight line . A positive intersection therefore exists exactly whenThis is the odd bound state of a symmetric double-delta potential; equality is its zero-energy threshold.
For , analytically continue the same pole equation into the lower half of the complex -plane. PutIt becomesWhen , the lowest odd mode lies near the hard-wall value . Writing and expanding givessoIn particular, the odd resonance of a strongly repulsive symmetric double-delta potential hasThe negative imaginary part identifies a decaying scattering resonance. Ifthen, to leading nonzero order,Its time-dependent amplitude is proportional toso its survival probability decays as and its lifetime isPhysically, this is the lowest odd standing wave trapped for a long time between two strong repulsive barriers and leaking out by quantum tunnelling.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2021 ii Paper 2 36B d Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
Since ,The exact nearby stationary point satisfies , so to leading order in the local maximum is at . This is a scattering resonance withwhere is the full energy width of the Breit-Wigner peak.