Quantum trajectories derived from time-dependent wave functions serve as useful tool for rationalizing the dynamics of simple quantum mechanical systems.  In other applications quantum trajectories have been used to numerically generate wavepacket dynamics.  Methodologies based on the latter approach frequently suffer from the so-called �node problem,� which gives rise to numerical instabilities for problems involving significant interference effects (i.e., when nodes form in the wave function).  In this work we present a detailed numerical analysis of the node problem for a simple 1D barrier problem.   The purpose of this is to better understand the origin of the node problem, and to determine what (if any) approaches can be used to compensate for or perhaps avoid instabilities near nodes.

Reverse-engineering the node problem in quantum trajectory simulations

246th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.