Oscillatory states of quantum Kapitza pendulum

Abstract

We study quantum mechanics problem described by the Schrödinger equation with Kapitza pendulum potential, that is the asymmetric double-well potential on the circle. For the oscillatory states spatially localize around the two stable saddle positions of the potential, we obtain the perturbative eigenvalues and corresponding piecewise wavefunctions. The spectrum is computed by extending the angle coordinate to the complex plane so that the quantization condition is formulated as contour integral along a path extending in the imaginary direction. Quantum tunneling between the wells is computed.