SHORT-RANGE REPULSION AND SYMMETRY OF 2-BODY WAVE-FUNCTIONS

We calculate the stationary wave functions for two identical particles in a common one-dimensional potential well and interaction through a repulsive delta-potential. We show how a symmetric noninteracting stat e psi(m,n)((+)), where the particles occupy the single-particle orbita ls m and n, evolves as a function of the interaction strength. In the limit of very strong repulsion, the energy levels coincide with those for the adjacent antisymmetric states psi(m,n+1)((-)). The spatial pro bability distributions also coincide, revealing an apparent change of statistics. However, the relative momentum wave functions are differen t demonstrating memory of original statistics. (C) 1998 American Assoc iation of Physics Teachers.