Zero-curvature solutions of the one-dimensional Schrodinger equation

Abstract

We discuss special k=sqrt{2m(E-V(x))/\hbar^2}=0 (i. e. zero-curvature) solutions of the one-dimensional Schrodinger equation in several model systems which have been used as idealized versions of various quantum well structures. We consider infinite well plus Dirac delta function cases (where E=V(x)=0) and piecewise-constant potentials, such as asymmetric infinite wells (where E=V(x)=V_0>0). We also construct supersymmetric partner potentials for several of the zero-energy solutions in these cases. One application of zero-curvature solutions in the infinite well plus delta-function case is the construction of `designer' wavefunctions, namely zero-energy wavefunctions of essentially arbitrary shape, obtained through the proper placement and choice of strength of the delta-functions.