Quantum Dynamics of Anharmonic Oscillators. I. Simple Examples

Abstract

The dynamical behavior of two anharmonic oscillators, having a linear and a square‐well potential, respectively, is studied. The expectation values of the coordinate and the mean spread of the oscillating wave packets are calculated as functions of time and presented graphically. Significant departures from the behavior of the corresponding classical systems are observed. These results cast some doubt on the use of classical‐mechanical models in the theory of unimolecular rates.