10.13 Exercises 737
2sinak −e
−aκ
2k cos ak κe
−aκ
= 0 which gives k cot ak = −κ.
Similarly, the set (6) has nontrivial solutions for F and A
2
only if
k tan ak = κ.
Note that it is impossible to satisfy both k cot ak = −κ and k tan ak = κ
simultaneously. Hence, there are two classes of solutions, and solution
is possible in quantum mechanics only if the energy satisfies certain
conditions.
1. Odd solutions: k cot ak = −κ. In this case, F = A
2
=0.Interms
of dimensionless variables, ξ = ak and η = aκ with definitions of k and
κ, it follows that
ξ
2
+ η
2
= a
2
k
2
+ κ
2
= a
2
2M
2
(V
0
− E)+
2M
2
E
!
=
2MV
0
a
2
2
. (7)
This represents a circle. In terms of ξ and η,wewritek cot ak = −κ as
ak cot ak = −aκ,orξ cot ξ = −η. (8)
The simultaneous solut ions of equations (7) and (8) can be determined
from graphs of these functions at their point of intersection. It turns out
that both ξ and η assume the positive values in the first quadrant only.
Clearly, in the range 0 ≤ α =
2MV
0
a
2
2
<
π
2
4
, there is no solution. For
π
2
2
≤ α ≤
3π
2
2
, there is one solution. Thus, the existence of solu-
tions depends on the parameters, M , V
0
and the range of the p otential.
A simultaneous solution determines the allowed energy for which the
quantum mechanical motion is described by an odd solution.
2. Even solutions: k tan ak = κ. In this case, E = A
1
= 0, and (5)
still holds. We can write the above condition in terms of nondimensional
variables as