Localization–delocalization phenomena in a cyclic box

Abstract

The localization–delocalization of a particle in a cyclic box is studied by examination of its Shannon information entropy and standard deviation. These results are compared to the particle in a box model, in ground and also in excited states. We show how a cyclic symmetry imposes that the ground state is more delocalized in the cyclic box as compared to the particle in a box. However, excited states in both models exhibit the same localization. The differences between the Shannon entropy and the standard deviation are discussed and the analysis is then extended to consider multiple particles in both models.