Quantum information theoretic analysis on the hydrogen atom trapped within a penetrable repulsive barrier potential
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: In this study, we aim to investigate the oscillatory nature of the probability density in position and momentum space of a hydrogen atom under a penetrable repulsive single-barrier (RSB) potential and the related information-theoretic measures. We have employed the Ritz variational method, utilizing a Slater-type trial wavefunction to determine the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the hydrogen atom. The momentum space wavefunction is then estimated by employing the Fourier transformation of the position space counterpart. Both of these conjugate space wavefunctions are used to estimate the Shannon entropy, which is then utilized to verify the well-known Bialynicki-Birula and Mycielski (BBM) inequality. Our investigation reveals confinement-induced oscillatory features in the radial probability density of position space and corresponding oscillations in momentum space. These oscillations are strongly correlated with atomic swelling, orbital fusion, fission, and collapse, which manifest as discontinuities in the variations of the Shannon entropy. For non-zero angular momentum states, additional oscillatory features arise from the combined effect of the centrifugal term and the barrier potential. Altogether, the findings highlight the intricate interplay between external confinement and orbital deformation, their impact on information-theoretic measures, and the consequent emergence of quantum phase transitions.
Source: Discover Quantum Science
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Awards: G6889352598, G7295170249
OpenAlex ID: W7129558122