JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS 47, 082104 2006

Some physical applications of fractional Schrdinger

equation
Xiaoyi Guoa and Mingyu Xub
School of Mathematics & System Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
Received 11 May 2006; accepted 28 June 2006; published online 14 August 2006

The fractional Schrdinger equation is solved for a free particle and for an infinite
square potential well. The fundamental solution of the Cauchy problem for a free
particle, the energy levels and the normalized wave functions of a particle in a
potential well are obtained. In the barrier penetration problem, the reflection coefficient and transmission coefficient of a particle from a rectangular potential wall is
determined. In the quantum scattering problem, according to the fractional
Schrdinger equation, the Greens function of the Lippmann-Schwinger integral
equation is given. 2006 American Institute of Physics.
DOI: 10.1063/1.2235026

I. INTRODUCTION

The Schrdinger equation is the fundamental equation of physics for describing nonrelativistic
quantum mechanical behavior. It is also often called the Schrdinger wave equation, and is a
partial differential equation that describes how the wave function of a physical system evolves
over time. The time-dependent one-dimensional Schrdinger equation is given by
i

x,t
2 2x,t
=
+ Vx,tx,t,
t
2m x2

where i is the imaginary unit, x , t is the time-dependent wave function, is Plancks constant
strictly speaking, is Planks constant divided by 2; this is Diracs notation, Vx , t is the
potential.
It is well known that Feynman and Hibbs1 used path integrals over Brownian paths to derive
the standard nonfractional Schrdinger equation. In quantum physics, the Feynman path integral
approach to quantum mechanics was the first successful attempt applying the fractality concept
that was first introduced by Mandelbrot.2 Recently, Laskin36 extended the fractality concept and
formulated fractional quantum mechanics as a path integral over the Lvy flights paths. Through
introducing the quantum Riesz fractional derivative
2/2x,t =

1
2

eipx/pp,tdp,

1 2, they constructed the space fractional Schrdinger equation

i

= D 2/2 + Vx,t
t

here = 2 / x2 is the Laplacian. Laskin showed the Hermiticity of the fractional Hamilton
operator and established the parity conservation law. Energy spectra of a hydrogenlike atom and of

Electronic mail: xyguosdu@hotmail.com

Electronic mail: xumingyu@sdu.edu.cn

0022-2488/2006/478/082104/9/$23.00

47, 082104-1

2006 American Institute of Physics

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J. Math. Phys. 47, 082104 2006

X. Guo and M. Xu

a fractional oscillator were also computed. Afterwards, Naber7 considered the Schrdinger equation with the first-order time derivative changed to a Caputo fractional detivative, the time fractional Schrdinger equation, and discussed the solutions of this kind of equation for a free particle
and for a potential well.
In this paper, some other physical applications of the space fractional Schrdinger equation
are considered, which are organized as follows. In Sec. II we solve the time-dependent fractional
Schrdinger equation for a free particle and give the fundamental solution of the Cauchy problem,
using the properties of Foxs H function. In Sec. III the energy levels and the normalized wave
functions of a particle in an infinite square potential well are discussed. In Sec. IV according to the
time-independent fractional Schrdinger equation we calculate the reflection coefficient and transmission coefficient of a particle from a rectangular potential wall. The quantum scattering problem
is the basis of the quantum mechanics. Lippmann-Schwinger equation as the fundamental equation
of quantum scattering theory obtains the widespread application in the three-dimensional quantum
scattering.8,9 In Sec. V the Lippmann-Schwinger equation equivalent to the fractional timeindependent Schrdinger equation is considered, and the Greens function of it is determined in
terms of Foxs H function. Finally, the paper is concluded with a discussion and summary.

II. FREE PARTICLE SOLUTION

The fractional Schrdinger equation for a free particle is given by

= D 2/2 .
t

Taking into account the definitions of the Fourier transforms on the spatial coordinate

p,t =

eipx/x,tdx

and the quantum Riesz fractional derivative 2, we have

p,t
= Dpp,t,
t

and

p,t = C exp iDpt/,

where C is a constant. Inverse Fourier transforming gives the final solution

x,t =

C
2

eipx/ exp iDpt/dp,

which also can be expressed in terms of Foxs H functions

x,t =

C 1,1 1
H
x 2,2 iDt

1/

1,1/,1,1/2
1,1,1,1/2

by using the identical formula and the formula of the Fourier cosine transform of Foxs H
function.10,11 When C = 1, Eq. 9 is the fundamental solution of the Cauchy problem, i.e., the
solution to Eq. 4 with the initial condition x , 0 = x.

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Applications of fractional Schrdinger equation

III. POTENTIAL WELL SOLUTION

Now consider a particle in a potential well

Vx =

0 for x a
for x a.

10

We need to solve Eq. 4 for x a, with the condition x , t = 0, for x a.

By separation of variables = ftx, we get
ft = eiE/t

11

D 2/2 = E ,

12

let ft = 0 = 1,

in which E is the energy of the particle.

Let
k =
Then considering

E
.
D

13

2/2 exp i

px
px
= p exp i
,

14

and E = Dp, the solution of Eq. 12 is

x = eikx ,

15

x = A sinkx + B coskx.

16

or

The boundary conditions a = a = 0 give

A sinka = 0,
17
B coska = 0.
So the solutions fall into two classes: those with A = 0 and those with B = 0.
The odd solutions have B = 0, so ka = n / 2, for n = 2 , 4 , 6 , . . .,
Eo
n = D

o
n x

n
2a

for x a

for x a.

A sin

n
x
2a

18

19

The even solutions have A = 0, so ka = n / 2, for n = 1 , 3 , 5 , . . .,

Ee
n = D

n
2a

20

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J. Math. Phys. 47, 082104 2006

X. Guo and M. Xu

e
n x

for x a

for x a.

n
x
2a

B cos

21

Combining even and odd solutions gives the energy levels

En = D

nx =

C0 sin

n
2a

22

23

n
x + a,
2a

24

n
x + a for x a
2a
for x a,

for n = 1 , 2 , 3 , . . .. Normalizing gives

so C0 = 1 / a.
Thus the time-dependent wave functions of a particle in a one-dimensional infinite square
potential well are
+

x2dx = 1,

nx,t = ei/Entnx = C0ei/Ent sin

for n = 1 , 2 , 3 , . . . and x a, which also can be expressed in terms of exponential function

nx,t = C1ei/nx/2aEnt + C2ei/nx/2a+Ent ,

25

where C1 and C2 are constants.

It should be noted that the results Eqs. 22 and 23 are equivalent to those given by
Laskin.6

IV. BARRIER PENETRATION

Let us consider the motion of particles in a rectangular potential barrier

Vx =

V0 , 0 x a
0,

x 0,x a.

26

According to classical physics, a particle of energy E less than the height V0 of a barrier could not
penetrate the region inside the barrier. But the wave function associated with a free particle must
be continuous at the barrier and will show an exponential decay inside the barrier. The wave
function must also be continuous on the far side of the barrier, so there is a finite probability that
the particle will tunnel through the barrier.
First we suppose that the energy of the particle satisfies E V0 and the incident particle is
moving from the left of the potential wall to the right. Then for x 0 or x a, the timeindependent fractional Schrodinger equation is Eq. 12. Its solution is 15, with 13. For 0
x a, the time-independent fractional Schrdinger equation is
D 2/2x + V0x = Ex.

27

x = eix ,

28

Solving this equation yields

in which

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J. Math. Phys. 47, 082104 2006

Applications of fractional Schrdinger equation

E V0
D

1/

29

Then we have for the time-independent wave function in the different regions expressions of the
form

= eikx + Reikx ,

for x 0,
for 0 x a,

30

= Aeix + Beix ,

31

= Seikx .

for x a,

32

In 30, the first term corresponds to a particle incident on the barrier we suppose normalized so that the coefficient of this term is unity; the second term represents a particle reflected
from the barrier. In 32, the wave function describes a particle, which has passed above the wall
and is moving in the positive direction of x. The fractional probability current density in the
incident wave is see Ref. 5
jix =
Then we have
jix =

D *
x 2/21 x x 2/21 *x .
i
x
x

D ikx
e 2/21 eikx eikx 2/21 eikx = 2Dk1 .
i
x
x

33

34

Similarly, the fractional probability current density in the reflected wave is 2Dk1R2, in the
transmitted wave 2Dk1S2. Then the transmission coefficient T of the particle as the ratio of
the probability current density in the transmitted wave to that in the incident wave is S2, and the
reflection coefficient of the particle as the ratio of the probability current density in the reflected
wave to that in the incident wave is R2. The constants R and S are determined from the conditions
that and 2/21 are continuous at x = 0:
1 + R = A + B,

35

ik1 + ik1R = i1A + i1B,

36

Aeia + Beia = Seika ,

37

i1Aeia + i1Beia = ik1Seika .

38

at x = a:

Combining 35 and 36 gives

A=

1
1 + 1

B=

1
1 + 1

Combining 37 and 38 gives

A=

+R 1

+R 1

k
S
1
1 + 1

eika+a ,

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J. Math. Phys. 47, 082104 2006

X. Guo and M. Xu

B=
Then we have
1
1 + 1

k
S
1
1 + 1

1
1 + 1

+R 1

+R 1

eikaa .

k
S
1
1 + 1

k
S
1
1 + 1

eika+a ,

eikaa .

Hence

Seika =

k
1

1 2

R=
k
1

1 2

1 2

2
k
e ia 1

ia

eia eia
1 2

e ia 1

39

1 2

40

eia

Finally the transmission coefficient T is given by

1 2

T = S =
2

1 2

T=

1 2

+4 1

4 1

1 2

sin a
2

1 2

1 2

1 2

1+

1 2

1 2

1 2

sin2 a

41

and the reflection coefficient is

4 1

R2 =

1 2

1 2

1 2

1 2

sin2 a

+4 1

1 2

1 2

sin a
2

42

Obviously R + S = 1.
For E V0, the corresponding expressions for T and R2 are also obtained by replacing by
k, where k = 11/V0 E / D1/.
2

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Applications of fractional Schrdinger equation

When the particle is passing over a rectangular potential well instead of a potential barrier,
i.e.,
Vx =

V0 ,

0xa

0,

x 0,x a

V0 0, the above theory still holds, in which = E + V0 / D1/ k = E / D1/. In that

case, it is interesting to note that T = 1 R2 = 0, if sin2 a = 0, i.e., a = n, thus E = En = V0
+ Dn / a, for n = 1 , 2 , 3 , . . .. This phenomenon is called resonance transmission, and En is
resonance energy levels.
V. THE GREENS FUNCTION IN QUAUTUM SCATTERING

Consider the incident particles with E = Dp are scattered by potential field Vx. This
problem sums up for solving the one-dimensional fractional Schrdinger equation
D 2/2 + Ex = Vxx.

43

According to the theory of Greens function of a fractional differential equation,12 the solution of
Eq. 43 can be expressed by

x = 0x +

Gx,xVxxdx ,

44

in which Gx , x is the Greens function, satisfying

D 2/2 + EGx,x = x x,

45

and x is an arbitrary solution of the homogeneous equation

0

D 2/2 + Ex = 0.

46

Supposing the incident wave ix = eikx, with k = E / D, then the quantum scattering problem
sums up for solving the generalized Lippmann-Schwinger integral equation equivalent to Eq. 43
as follows:

x = eikx +

Gx,xVxxdx .

47

In the following we calculate the Greens function. From Eq. 45, using Fourier transform we
have
Gx,x = Gx x =
=

1
E

1
2

1
1
iqxx
dq =
e
E D q

1
cos qx xdq
E D q

1
cos qx xdq.
D
1
q
E

Considering the identical formula

/,1
z
/ 1,1
,
H1,1 az
=a
/,1
1 + az
the properties of Foxs H function and the formula of the Fourier cosine transform of Foxs H
functions,11 we get

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X. Guo and M. Xu

Gx x =

1
E

1,1
H1,1

D 0,1
q
0,1
E

1
H2,1
Ex x 2,3

1
D

D
E

J. Math. Phys. 47, 082104 2006

cos qx xdq

1,1/2
1,1/
x x
1/
1,1 1,1/1,1/2
D

11/

2,1
H2,3

1/2,1/2
1 1/,1/
x x
.
1/
0,1
1 1/,1/ 1/2,1/2
D

48

VI. CONCLUSION

Some physical applications of the fractional Schrdinger equation have been studied. The
time-dependent free particle fractional Schrdinger equation was solved, using method of integral
transform. The fundamental solution of the Cauchy problem was obtained in term of Foxs H
function, which can be used for calculating boundary value problem in quantum mechanics. The
motion of a particle in an infinite square potential well was discussed. We outlined the energy
levels and wave functions. Also the reflection and transmission coefficient of a particle from a
potential barrier or a potential well was derived. Last we gave the Greens function of the generalized Lippmann-Schwinger equation equivalent to time-independent fractional Schrdinger equation in quantum scattering processes. Equations 9, 22, 25, 41, 42, and 48 include the
well-known equations as their special cases at = 2.
On the other hand, we also can show that Eq. 48 is consistent with more general threedimensional Greens function Eq. 47 obtained by Laskin.13 According to his ideas, the onedimensional fixed-energy kernel, i.e., the one-dimensional Greens function can be given by using
the expressions in Ref. 13
kL0x2x1 ;E =

dt2ei/Et2t1KL0x2t2x1t1,

t1

where
KL0x2t2x1t1 =

1,1 1
H2,2
x2 x1
iDt2 t1

Then we get the one-dimensional Greens function

kL0x2x1 ;E =

i
H2,1
Ex2 x1 2,3

1/

x2 x1

1,1/,1,1/2
1,1,1,1/2

1,1/1,1/2
x2 x1
.
1/
1,11,1/1,1/2
D

So we can see that Eq. 48 in this paper is a particular case of the more general Laskins Eq. 47
in Ref. 13.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors express their gratitude to the referees of the paper for their fruitful advice and
comments.
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Grant No.
10272067 and by the Doctoral Program Foundation of the Education Ministry of P. R. China
Grant No. 20030422046.

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J. Math. Phys. 47, 082104 2006

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