# Periodic boundary condition on a Wave Function of a Particle in a Box

Until now solving the Schrodinger Equation for a particle in a box was relatively easy because the boundaries conditions imposed zero value on the wave function at the boundaries. But now I must find the normalized wave function of the same problem imposing just this periodic boundaries conditions:

$$Y(x,y,z)=Y(x+L,y,z),$$
$$Y(x,y,z)=Y(x,y+L,z),$$
$$Y(x,y,z)=Y(x,y,z+L).$$

I got stuck in the normalization process. Having before the boundary condition (one dimension) $Y(0)=Y(L)=0$ i could get just one constant to solve, i mean in:

$$Y(x)= A\sin{kx} + B\cos{kx}$$

applying the conditions mentioned i could get just:

$$Y(x)= A\sin{kx}\quad \text{where}\quad k=\pi n/L$$

which is easy to calculate its normalization coefficient. But now, with this periodic boundary condition, $Y(0)=Y(L)$, how could I solve it?

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Where exactly are you running into trouble? Right now you just have the definition of periodic boundary conditions in your question and we have to guess why you're having difficulties. Please show us the work you've done already and indicate where you got stuck. –  Wouter May 18 '13 at 19:01
Hint (which might be obvious): Think of it as a particle on a "ring". That gives you a natural coordinate to talk about and things might be easier. –  Siva May 18 '13 at 19:04
Both instances of "$Y(x) = Y(L)$" should be "$Y(0) = Y(L)$"? –  Chris White May 23 '13 at 2:32

When imposing a periodic boundary condition, the amplitude of the wavefunction at coordinate $x$ must match that at coordinate $x+L$, so we have:
$$\Psi(x)=\Psi(x+L)$$
$$\Psi(x)\propto e^{ikx}$$