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A anharmonic oscillator is characterized by potential V ( x ) = m ω 2 2 x 2 + λ x 4 where λ is a positive constant. With λ = 0 the potential of the harmonic oscillator is obtained. It is not possible to analytically solve the Schrödinger equation. Unless otherwise specified we have set the following values: = 1 ; m = 1 ; ω = 1 .
Each graph displays the harmonic potential m ω 2 2 x 2 (in blue color) and the quadratic potential λ x 4 (in red color).
The Mathematica notebook, given a potential V(x), allows to numerically solve the equation, finding the energies (eigenvalues) and the relative functions (eigenfunctions).


EIGENVALUES

λ =0 versus λ =0.01

The total potential is almost harmonic (the harmonic component is the blue line). The comparison shows a small difference in the eigenvalues.

λ =0 versus λ =0.1

The value of the total potential depends on both the harmonic component (blue color) and the quadratic component (red color). The deviation of the eigenvalues is still small.

λ =0 versus λ =1

The potential is nearly quadratic (red color). The deviation of the eigenvalues is significant.


EIGENVALUES and EIGENFUNCTIONS

λ =0 versus λ =0.01

The total potential is almost harmonic (the harmonic component is the blue line). The comparison shows a small difference in the eigenvalues.

λ =0 versus λ =0.1

The value of the total potential depends on both the harmonic component (blue color) and the quadratic component (red color). The deviation of the eigenvalues is still small.

λ =0 versus λ =1

The potential is nearly quadratic (red color). The deviation of the eigenvalues is significant.