Polynomial potentials and nilpotent groups

Abstract: This paper deals with the partial solution of the energy-eigenvalue problem for one-dimensional Schr\"odinger operators of the form $H_N=X_0^2+V_N$, where $V_N=X_N^2+\alpha X_{N-1}$ is a polynomial potential of degree $(2N-2)$ and $X_i$ are the generators of an irreducible representation of a particular nilpotent group $\mathcal{G}N$. Algebraization of the eigenvalue problem is achieved for eigenfunctions of the form $\sum{k=0}^M a_k X_2^k \exp(-\int dx\, X_N)$. It is shown that the overdetermined linear system of equations for the coefficients $a_k$ has a nontrivial solution, if the parameter $\alpha$ and $(N-3)$ Casimir invariants satisfy certain constraints. This general setting works for even $N\geq 2$ and can also be applied to odd $N\geq 3$, if the potential is symmetrized by considering it as function of $|x|$ rather than $x$. It provides a unified approach to quasi-exactly solvable polynomial interactions, including the harmonic oscillator, and extends corresponding results known from the literature. Explicit expressions for energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions are given for the quasi-exactly solvable sextic, octic and decatic potentials. The case of $E=0$ solutions for general $N$ and $M$ is also discussed. As physical application, the movement of a charged particle in an electromagnetic field of pertinent polynomial form is shortly sketched.