Curvature-dependent formalism, Schrödinger equation and energy levels for the harmonic oscillator on three-dimensional spherical and hyperbolic spaces

José F. Cariñena, Manuel F. Rañada, Mariano Santander

Published 2012-10-18Version 1

A nonlinear model representing the quantum harmonic oscillator on the three-dimensional spherical and hyperbolic spaces, $S_\k^3$ ($\kappa>0$) and $H_k^3$ ($\kappa<0$), is studied. The curvature $\k$ is considered as a parameter and then the radial Schr\"odinger equation becomes a $\k$-dependent Gauss hypergeometric equation that can be considered as a $\k$-deformation of the confluent hypergeometric equation that appears in the Euclidean case. The energy spectrum and the wavefunctions are exactly obtained in both the three-dimensional sphere $S_\k^3$ ($\kappa>0$) and the hyperbolic space $H_k^3$ ($\kappa<0$). A comparative study between the spherical and the hyperbolic quantum results is presented.