Wavefunction matching at a finite potential step ($\psi (a^{-})=\psi (a^{+}),{\psi }^{\prime }(a^{-})={\psi }^{\prime }(a^{+})$)

For a finite jump in a one-dimensional potential energy, with constant mass and no delta potential, both the wavefunction and its first spatial derivative are continuous. Integrating the time-independent Schrödinger equation across a vanishing interval makes the jump in ${\psi }^{\prime }$ vanish, since the integral of $(V-E)\psi$ vanishes. A jump in $\psi$ itself would produce a derivative of a Dirac delta function in ${\psi }^{\prime \prime }$, with no matching term in the equation. The second derivative can jump. This matching allows transmission and quantum tunnelling; a finite step is not a hard wall.

In an even, piecewise constant potential, integrate outward from the centre with either even boundary conditions ${\psi }^{\prime }(0)=0$ or odd boundary conditions $\psi (0)=0$. Match the wavefunction and its derivative at every finite step and impose exponential decay outside. The resulting discrete energies alternate in parity, with the fourth bound state odd and containing three nodes of a wavefunction. There is no hard-wall zero at a finite step; the second derivative changes according to ${\psi }^{\prime \prime }=2m(V-E)\psi /{\hslash }^2$.

For equal-mass one-dimensional scattering between regions with real wavenumbers $k_0>k_2>0$, insert a layer of width $a$ and wavenumber $k_1$. For a purely right-moving incident wave of amplitude $A$ and no reflection, continuity at the first edge gives interior amplitudes $C=A(1+k_0/k_1)/2$ and $D=A(1-k_0/k_1)/2$. If $k_{1}a=\pi /2$, continuity at the second edge gives a transmitted edge amplitude $F=i(k_0/k_1)A$ and the matching condition $k_1^2=k_0{k}_2$. Thus $F/A=i\sqrt{k_0/k_2}$ and the transmitted probability current equals the incident current, despite their unequal amplitudes.

For potentials $0,V_1,V_2$ with $E>V_2>V_1>0$, the condition is $(E-V_1{)}^2=E(E-V_2)$, or $E=V_1^2/(2V_1-V_2)$, requiring $V_2/2<V_1<V_2$. It is the quantum-wave counterpart of a quarter-wave impedance transformer: the intermediate wavenumber is the geometric mean and the two reflected amplitudes cancel.