The stationary Schrödinger equation in one dimension has the form
ϵ2dx2d2ψ=−(E−V(x))ψ
where ϵ can be assumed to be small. Using the Liouville-Green method, show that two approximate solutions in a region where V(x)<E are
ψ(x)∼(E−V(x))1/41exp{±ϵi∫cx(E−V(x′))1/2dx′}
where c is suitably chosen.
Without deriving connection formulae in detail, describe how one obtains the condition
ϵ1∫ab(E−V(x′))1/2dx′=(n+21)π
for the approximate energies E of bound states in a smooth potential well. State the appropriate values of a,b and n.
Estimate the range of n for which (∗) gives a good approximation to the true bound state energies in the cases
(i) V(x)=∣x∣,
(ii) V(x)=x2+λx6 with λ small and positive,
(iii) V(x)=x2−λx6 with λ small and positive.