Bound-like states in a one-dimensional self-similar <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mi>δ</mml:mi></mml:math>-barrier array
We investigate a one-dimensional quantum system with a self-similar arrangement of delta-function potential barriers, exhibiting discrete scale invariance. Unlike typical scale-invariant systems with smooth potentials, our model features singular potentials with barriers positioned at geometrically scaled locations, $x_n = x_0 \lambda^n$. We show that the system supports a unique zero-energy wavefunction that is not square-integrable but decays to zero at infinity, acting as a quasi-bound state. This wavefunction displays self-similarity under discrete scaling transformations, similar to the scaling symmetry in Efimov physics, though it represents a single state rather than a series of bound states. We analyze the wavefunction's asymptotic power-law decay and explore the spectral properties of the system, which lacks a discrete spectrum. These results highlight the role of singular potentials in generating scale-invariant quantum phenomena and provide a simple framework for studying discrete scale symmetry in quantum mechanics.
Authors
- Xu-Yang Hou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3963-4014)
- Yan He (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8647-0016)
- Hao Guo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5934-7020)
- Karl J. Friston
Institutions
- Sichuan University (CN)
- Hefei University (CN)
- Southeast University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Physical review. A/Physical review, A
- Published
- 2025-07-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1103/kbty-mxxb
- Primary Topic
- Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China