Gaussian beam formulations and interface conditions for the one-dimensional linear Schrodinger equation

Gaussian beams are asymptotic solutions of linear wave-like equations in the high frequency regime. This paper is concerned with the beam formulations for the Schrodinger equation and the interface conditions while beams pass through a singular point of the potential function. The equations satisfied by Gaussian beams up to the fourth order are given explicitly. When a Gaussian beam arrives at a singular point of the potential, it typically splits into a reflected wave and a transmitted wave. Under suitable conditions, the reflected wave and/or the transmitted wave will maintain a beam profile. We study the interface conditions which specify the relations between the split waves and the incident Gaussian beam. Numerical tests are presented to validate the beam formulations and interface conditions. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.