Exact quantization of nonsolvable potentials: the role of the quantum phase beyond the semiclassical approximation

Abstract

Semiclassical quantization is exact only for the so called \emph{solvable} potentials, such as the harmonic oscillator. In the \emph{nonsolvable} case the semiclassical phase, given by a series in $\hbar$, yields more or less approximate results and eventually diverges due to the asymptotic nature of the expansion. A quantum phase is derived to bypass these shortcomings. It achieves exact quantization of nonsolvable potentials and allows to obtain the quantum wavefunction while locally approaching the best pre-divergent semiclassical expansion. An iterative procedure allowing to implement practical calculations with a modest computational cost is also given. The theory is illustrated on two examples for which the limitations of the semiclassical approach were recently highlighted: cold atomic collisions and anharmonic oscillators in the nonperturbative regime.