Griffiths Quantum Mechanics 3e: Problem 2.

41 Page 1 of 3

Problem 2.41
Find the allowed energies of the half harmonic oscillator
(
(1/2)mω 2 x2 , x > 0,
V (x) =
∞, x < 0.

(This represents, for example, a spring that can be stretched, but not compressed.) Hint: This
requires some careful thought, but very little actual calculation.

Solution

Schrödinger’s equation governs the time evolution of the wave function Ψ(x, t).

∂Ψ ℏ2 ∂ 2 Ψ
iℏ =− + V (x, t)Ψ(x, t), −∞ < x < ∞, t > 0
∂t 2m ∂x2
Split up the PDE over the intervals that V (x, t) is defined on.

∂Ψ ℏ2 ∂ 2 Ψ ∂Ψ ℏ2 ∂ 2 Ψ 1
iℏ =− + (∞)Ψ(x, t), x<0 iℏ =− + mω 2 x2 Ψ(x, t), x>0
∂t 2m ∂x2 ∂t 2m ∂x2 2
Only Ψ(x, t) = 0 satisfies the one for x < 0. Because the wave function must be continuous,
Ψ(0, t) = 0 is a boundary condition for the remaining PDE on x > 0. Let there be a prescribed
initial condition at t = 0.
∂Ψ ℏ2 ∂ 2 Ψ 1
iℏ =− + mω 2 x2 Ψ(x, t), x>0
∂t 2m ∂x2 2
Ψ(0, t) = 0

Ψ(x, 0) = Ψ0 (x)

To solve Schrödinger’s equation on the half-line, apply the method of reflection: Consider the
corresponding problem over the whole line, using the odd extension of the initial condition. Doing
so automatically satisfies the boundary condition at x = 0. The solution for Ψ will then be the
restriction of Ψ to x > 0.
∂Ψ ℏ2 ∂ 2Ψ 1
iℏ =− + mω 2 x2Ψ(x, t), −∞ < x < ∞
∂t 2m ∂x2 2
(
Ψ0 (x) if x > 0
Ψ(x, 0) = Ψ0odd (x) =
−Ψ0 (−x) if x < 0

Since the PDE and its associated boundary conditions (Ψ and its derivatives tend to zero as
x → ±∞) are linear and homogeneous, the method of separation of variables can be applied.
Assume a product solution of the form Ψ(x, t) = ψ(x)ϕ(t) and plug it into the PDE.

∂ ℏ2 ∂ 2 1
iℏ [ψ(x)ϕ(t)] = − 2
[ψ(x)ϕ(t)] + mω 2 x2 [ψ(x)ϕ(t)]
∂t 2m ∂x 2
Evaluate the derivatives.
ℏ2 ′′ 1
iℏψ(x)ϕ′ (t) = − ψ (x)ϕ(t) + mω 2 x2 ψ(x)ϕ(t)
2m 2

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Griffiths Quantum Mechanics 3e: Problem 2.41 Page 2 of 3

Divide both sides by ψ(x)ϕ(t) to separate variables.

ϕ′ (t) ℏ2 ψ ′′ (x) 1
iℏ =− + mω 2 x2
ϕ(t) 2m ψ(x) 2

The only way a function of t can be equal to a function of x is if both are equal to a constant E.

ϕ′ (t) ℏ2 ψ ′′ (x) 1
iℏ =− + mω 2 x2 = E
ϕ(t) 2m ψ(x) 2

As a result of using the method of separation of variables, the Schrödinger equation has reduced
to two ODEs, one in x and one in t.

ϕ′ (t)

iℏ = E

ϕ(t) 
ℏ2 ψ ′′ (x) 1
+ mω 2 x2 = E 

− 
2m ψ(x) 2

Values of E for which the boundary conditions are satisfied are called the eigenvalues (or
eigenenergies in this context), and the nontrivial solutions associated with them are called the
eigenfunctions (or eigenstates in this context). This system was solved using the method of
operator factorization in Problem 2.10. Its solution is assumed to be known here.
 
1
En = n + ℏω; ϕ(t) = e−iEn t/ℏ ; ψn (x); n = 0, 1, 2, . . .
2

According to the principle of superposition, the general solution for Ψ is a linear combination of
ψ(x)ϕ(t) over all n.
X∞
Ψ(x, t) = Bn ψn (x)e−iEn t/ℏ
n=0

Now apply the initial condition to determine the coefficients Bn .

∞
X
Ψ(x, 0) = Bn ψn (x) = Ψ0odd (x)
n=0

Multiply both sides by ψm (x), where m is a non-negative integer.

∞
X
Bn ψn (x)ψm (x) = Ψ0odd (x)ψm (x)
n=0

Integrate both sides with respect to x from −∞ to ∞.

 ∞
∞ X  ∞
Bn ψn (x)ψm (x) dx = Ψ0odd (x)ψm (x) dx
−∞ n=0 −∞

Bring the constants in front.

∞
X  ∞  ∞
Bn ψn (x)ψm (x) dx = Ψ0odd (x)ψm (x) dx
n=0 −∞ −∞

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Griffiths Quantum Mechanics 3e: Problem 2.41 Page 3 of 3

Because the eigenstates are orthogonal, this integral on the left is zero for all n ̸= m. The infinite
series consequently yields one term, the n = m one.
 ∞  ∞
2
Bn [ψn (x)] dx = Ψ0odd (x)ψn (x) dx
−∞ −∞

Since the eigenstates are normalized, this integral on the left is 1.

 ∞
Bn = Ψ0odd (x)ψn (x) dx
−∞

If n is even, then the eigenstate ψn (x) is an even function of x, meaning that Bn is zero because
the integrand is odd and the integration interval is symmetric. If n is odd, then the eigenstate
ψn (x) is an odd function, meaning that the integrand is even and
 ∞  ∞
Bn = 2 Ψ0odd (x)ψn (x) dx = 2 Ψ0 (x)ψn (x) dx.
0 0

Write the general solution for Ψ over the even and odd integers separately.
∞
X ∞
X
−iE2q t/ℏ
Ψ(x, t) = B2q ψ2q (x)e + B2q−1 ψ2q−1 (x)e−iE2q−1 t/ℏ
q=0 q=1
| {z }
=0

The solution to Schrödinger’s equation on the whole line is then

∞
X
Ψ(x, t) = B2q−1 ψ2q−1 (x)e−iE2q−1 t/ℏ , −∞ < x < ∞.
q=1

As planned, take the restriction of Ψ to x > 0 in order to get Ψ.

∞
X
Ψ(x, t) = B2q−1 ψ2q−1 (x)e−iE2q−1 t/ℏ , x>0
q=1

In conclusion, for the half harmonic oscillator,



 0 if x < 0

∞
Ψ(x, t) = X


 B2q−1 ψ2q−1 (x)e−iE2q−1 t/ℏ if x > 0
q=1

∞
X
= θ(x) B2q−1 ψ2q−1 (x)e−iE2q−1 t/ℏ .
q=1

Only the odd energies of the harmonic oscillator are allowed.

 
1
E2q−1 = 2q − ℏω, q = 1, 2, . . .
2

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