Project 13: - Time Dependent Schrödinger Equation

Summary

This project looks into the time evolution of a wave function within a two-dimensional quantum well. We start by solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for stationary states in a quantum well. Next, we express any wave function as a linear combination of stationary states, allowing us to understand their time evolution. Two methods are presented: one relies on decomposing the wave function into a basis of stationary states and the other on discretisation of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, incorporating three-point formulas for derivatives. These approaches necessitate confronting intricate boundary conditions and require maintaining energy conservation for numerical accuracy. We further demonstrate the methods using a wave packet, revealing fundamental phenomena in quantum physics. Our results demonstrate the utility of these methods in understanding quantum systems, despite the challenges in determining stationary states for a given potential. This study enhances our comprehension of the dynamics of quantum states in constrained systems, essential for fields like quantum computing and nanotechnology.