Modern Physics for Engineers Lecture slides 13a – Coupled systems

This lecture part introduces the idea of coupled systems in quantum mechanics, using the example of two "rectangular" potential wells with a thin barrier between them. What would have been isolated states in two separate wells turn into two coupled states, a "symmetric" one generally with lower energy and an "antisymmetric" one generally with higher energy. These lower and higher energy states introduce an idea common in understanding some kinds of chemical bonds, with these states representing "bonding" and "antibonding" states. (slides)