Numerical calculations in elementary quantum mechanics using Feynman path integrals

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · Ann. Phys. (N.Y.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-4916(80)90340-1· OSTI ID:6389402

Scher, G; Smith, M; Baranger, M

We show that it is possible to do numerical calculations in elementary quantum mechanics using Feynman path integrals. Our method involves discretizing both time and space, and summing paths through matrix multiplication. We give numerical results for various one-dimensional potentials. The calculations of energy levels and wavefunctions take approximately 100 times longer than with standard methods, but there are other problems for which such an approach should be more efficient.

• Research Organization: Center for Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-76ER03069
• OSTI ID: 6389402
• Journal Information: Ann. Phys. (N.Y.); (United States), Vol. 130:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
QUANTUM MECHANICS
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
CALCULATION METHODS
FEYNMAN PATH INTEGRAL
ENERGY LEVELS
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PROPAGATOR
WAVE FUNCTIONS
FUNCTIONS
INTEGRALS
MECHANICS
657002* - Theoretical & Mathematical Physics- Classical & Quantum Mechanics