Purchase Solution

Solving the Schrodinger Equation Along a Nanowire

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Given a Nanowire with cross sectional dimensions of 10 nm x 10 nm, what momentum would an electron in the ground state need in order to possess the same energy as a stationary electron
(zero momentum) in the n=1,2 state?

I need step-by-step solution please.

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

We solve the Schrodinger equation along a nanowire with a square cross section of given dimensions to determine the speed of an electron in the 1,1 mode which would give it the same energy as a stationary electron in the 1,2 mode.

Solution Preview

To solve this problem, we need to solve the time-independent Schrodinger equation for an electron in a nanowire. This equation says

(1) H psi(x, y, z) = -hbar^2/2m laplacian(psi(x,y,z)) + V(x,y,z) psi(x,y,z) = E psi(x,y,z),

where m is the mass of the electron, H = -hbar^2/2m laplacian + V is the Hamiltonian of the electron, V(x,y,z) = 0 is its potential (which is zero in this case because the electron is free inside the nanowire), psi(x,y,z) is its wavefunction, and E is its energy. We solve (1) by separation of variables. We let

psi(x,y,z) = X(x) Y(z) Z(z)

where the z-axis points along the direction of the nanowire and the x and y axes point along the sides of the square cross section, with x = y = 0 at one of the ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Classical Mechanics

This quiz is designed to test and improve your knowledge on Classical Mechanics.

Intro to the Physics Waves

Some short-answer questions involving the basic vocabulary of string, sound, and water waves.

Basic Physics

This quiz will test your knowledge about basic Physics.

The Moon

Test your knowledge of moon phases and movement.

Variables in Science Experiments

How well do you understand variables? Test your knowledge of independent (manipulated), dependent (responding), and controlled variables with this 10 question quiz.