Uniqueness of the Airy packet in quantum mechanics

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1996

Abstract

The general form of a nonspreading wave packet in one-dimensional free space is derived from first principles, employing a decomposition of the quantum mechanical evolution operator of the free particle. In agreement with the classical analysis of Berry and Balazs, the corresponding probability density is proportional to the square of an Airy function, and the packet propagates with constant acceleration. © 1996 American Association of Physics Teachers.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

American Journal of Physics

First Page

1034

Last Page

1035

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