Constructing Green functions of the Schrödinger equation by elementary transformations

Abstract

The initial value problem in quantum mechanics is most conveniently solved by the Green function method. Instead of the conventional methods of eigenfunction expansion and path integration, we present a new method for constructing the Green functions systematically. By using suitable elementary transformations, one of the conjugate variables in the Hamiltonian can be eliminated and the Green function for the simplified Hamiltonian can be easily derived. We then obtain the Green function for the original Hamiltonian by the reverse sequence of the elementary transformations. The method is illustrated for the linear potential, the harmonic oscillator, the centrifugal potential, and the centripetal barrier oscillator.