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arXiv · 1505.00101

The Infinite Square Well Is Subtle

Chyi-Lung Lin
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Abstract

We show that it needs a more delicate potential to confine particles inside a well. The original model containing a vague notation of infinity in the potential energy is ambiguous. Using the Heaviside step function and the Dirac delta-function, we give a precise form for the confining potential. Although such form appears unusual, the ambiguities are resolved. This form also shows that the infinite square well is not the limit of a finite square well.

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Chyi-Lung Lin. 2015-05-01. The Infinite Square Well Is Subtle. https://arxiv.org/abs/1505.00101

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