Adiabatic expansion of infinite square well

In summary, the problem involves calculating the geometric and dynamic phases for a wave function in an infinite square well with a slowly expanding right wall. The geometric phase is found to be zero, but the dynamic phase is more complicated due to the changing boundary conditions. The dynamic phase involves integrating a function of the velocity of the expansion over time. However, due to the infinite energy states mixing in, there is no proper adiabatic limit.
  • #1
Cracker Jack
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Homework Statement



Suppose that an infinite square well has width L , 0<x<L. Nowthe right wall expands slowly to 2L. Calculate the geometric phase and the dynamic phase for the wave function at the end of this adiabatic expansion of the well. Note: the expansion of the well does not occur at a constant rate.

Homework Equations



Dynamic phase= -1/ħ * ∫ En(t') dt' from 0 to t
Geometric phase= i * ∫ <ψn,∂t'ψn>dt' from 0 to t

The Attempt at a Solution


First, I calculated the geometric phase by getting the wave function in terms of L and integrating the bra and ket with dL instead of dt. ∂ψ/∂t = ∂ψ/∂L * dL/dt then plugging that in for the geometric phase.

After using the equation for the wave function of the well and some fun integrations the answer for the geometric phase comes out to zero.

However, I am stuck on the dynamic phase.

The energy for a given n is En=n222/(2m*L2)

However, if the expansion doesn't occur at a constant rate the dynamic phase is:

constants*∫ 1/(L+v(t)*t)2 where v(t) is the velocity of the expansion. I'm just not sure how to integrate that to get the dynamic phase.
 
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  • #2
This problem occurs every now and then. Nevertheless I find it quite dubious. The change of the boundary will mix in states of infinite energy, so you can't do it so slowly that this effect becomes negligible. There is no proper adiabatic limit.
 

Related to Adiabatic expansion of infinite square well

1. What is adiabatic expansion?

Adiabatic expansion refers to a process in which a system expands without any heat exchange with its surroundings. This means that the internal energy of the system remains constant during the expansion.

2. What is an infinite square well?

An infinite square well is a theoretical model used in quantum mechanics to describe the behavior of a particle confined within a potential well with infinitely high walls. This means that the particle is confined within a certain region and cannot escape.

3. How does adiabatic expansion occur in an infinite square well?

In an infinite square well, adiabatic expansion can occur when the walls of the well are slowly moved outward, allowing the particle to occupy a larger region. This expansion is considered adiabatic because there is no exchange of heat with the surroundings.

4. What is the relationship between the particle's energy and the size of the infinite square well during adiabatic expansion?

During adiabatic expansion, the particle's energy decreases as the size of the infinite square well increases. This is because the particle's energy is inversely proportional to the size of the well, meaning that as the well expands, the particle's energy decreases.

5. What are the implications of adiabatic expansion in quantum mechanics?

Adiabatic expansion in quantum mechanics has important implications for the behavior of particles confined within potential wells. It shows that the energy of a particle is dependent on its surroundings and can change without any heat exchange. This has important applications in understanding the behavior of particles in various systems and can help in the development of new technologies.

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