Ground State Wave Function of the Schrödinger Equation in a Time-Periodic Potential

Abstract

Using a generalized transfer matrix method we exactly solve the Schrödinger equation in a time periodic potential, with discretized Euclidean space-time. The ground state wave function propagates in space and time with an oscillating soliton-like wave packet and the wave front is wedge shaped. In a statistical mechanics framework our solution represents the partition sum of a directed polymer subjected to a potential layer with alternating (attractive and repulsive) pinning centers.