Introduction to Quantum Mechanics · Problem 2.44

Time-Independent Schrödinger Equation — David J. Griffiths

Physics — Quantum Mechanics · degenerate_bound_states

Problem

If two (or more) distinct solutions to the (time-independent) Schrödinger equation have the same energy EE, these states are said to be degenerate. For example, the free particle states are doubly degenerate—one solution representing motion to the right, and the other motion to the left. But we have never encountered normalizable degenerate solutions, and this is no accident. Prove the following theorem: In one dimension (−∞<x<∞-\infty < x < \infty) there are no degenerate bound states. [Hint: Suppose there are two solutions, ψ1\psi_1 and ψ2\psi_2, with the same energy EE. Multiply the Schrödinger equation for ψ1\psi_1 by ψ2\psi_2, and the Schrödinger equation for ψ2\psi_2 by ψ1\psi_1, and subtract, to show that (ψ2dψ1/dx−ψ1dψ2/dx)(\psi_2 d\psi_1/dx - \psi_1 d\psi_2/dx) is a constant. Use the fact that for normalizable solutions ψ→0\psi \to 0 at ±∞\pm\infty to demonstrate that this constant is in fact zero. Conclude that ψ2\psi_2 is a multiple of ψ1\psi_1, and hence that the two solutions are not distinct.]

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