Infinite Quantum Well

The poetic life lessons of quantum theory

Sbyrnes321, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Some trajectories of a particle in a box according to Newton’s laws of classical mechanics (A), and according to the Schrödinger equation of quantum mechanics (B–F).

I remember studying
at university in the deeps
of an infinite quantum well
the isolated physics of a hydrogen atom.

I gained experience with Schrödinger’s equation.
With my electron, over the interval,
I tried to integrate the differential equation —
guessing at possible answers.

I need to fit in with the boundary conditions
ensure they are smooth —
find harmonic solutions —
energy levels forming a ladder.

When you shine your light at me
I am elevated to a frenzy of excitement
before falling back and losing
the stimulation of your light.

You can see my behaviour in the spectrum
visible in your light — no matter how I try
I cannot solve the equation
for a finite quantum well.

With alcohol dissolving barriers
at the disco under ultraviolet light
my electron is free — dances with others —
I am positive, ionically waiting to bond.

In the morning thirsting with a headache
and dissolving dreams of alcoholic solutions
I am constrained to climb the ladder
of an infinite quantum well.

I am yet to be schooled
in the lessons of perturbation theory.

Pablo St. Paul on SoundCloud. Image is visible spectrum of hydrogen

© Pablo St. Paul
English writer in Indonesia