An Anti-WKB Approximation

Abstract

In the WKB approximation the $\nabla^2S$ term in Schrodinger's equation is subordinate to the |\nabla S|^2 term. Here we study an anti-WKB approximation in which the $\nabla^2 S$ term dominates (after a guess for S is supplied). Our approximation produces only the nodeless ground state wavefunction, but it can be used in potential problems where the potential is not symmetric, and in problems where there are many degrees of freedom. As a test, we apply the method to potential problems, including the hydrogen and helium atoms and to $\phi^4$ field theory.