Quantum Tunneling

One of the mysteries of quantum mechanics

W. Ubachs Lectures MNW-Quant-Tunneling
Finite Potential Well
) ( ) ( l l
III II
=
) ( ) ( l l
dx
d
dx
d
III II

=
) 0 ( ) 0 (
II I
=
A finite potential well has a potential of zero between x = 0 and x = ,
but outside that range the potential is a constant U
0
.
l
The potential outside the well is no
longer zero; it falls off exponentially.
Solve in regions I, II, and III
and use for boundary conditions
Continuity:
) 0 ( ) 0 (
dx
d
dx
d
II I

=
Bound states: E < E
0
Continuum states: E > E
0
Finite Potential Well
( )
2
0
2
2
h
E U m
G

=
( )
0
2
2
0
2
2
=

h
E U m
dx
d
Gx Gx
III I
De Ce

+ =
,

If E < U
0
with
in the forbidden regions
General solution:
Region I 0 < x
hence
0 = D and similarly for C
Gx
I
Ce =
should match
kx B kx A
II
cos sin + =
Finite value at 0 = x exponentially decaying into the finite walls
Finite Potential Well
These graphs show the wave functions and probability
distributions for the first three energy states.
Nonclassical effects
Partile can exist in the forbidden region
Finite Potential Well
( )
0
2 U E m
h
p
h

= =
( )
0
2
2
0
2
2
=

h
U E m
dx
d
0
2
2 2
2
=

h
mE
dx
d
If E > U
0
In regions I and III
free particle condition
In region II
In both cases oscillating free partcile
wave function:
I,III:
II:
mE
h
p
h
2
= =
0
2
0
2
2 2
1
U
m
p
U mv E + = + =
Tunneling Through a Barrier
l > x
0 < x
mE
h
p
h
2
= =
( )
0
2
2
0
2
2
=

h
E U m
dx
d
0
2
2 2
2
=

h
mE
dx
d
Also in region
In region
oscillating wave
mE
h
p
h
2
= =
Wave with same wavelength
In the barrier:
Gx Gx
b
De Ce

+ =
Approximation: assume that the decaying
function is dominant Gx
b
De

=
( )
( )
( )
l
l
G
Gx
e
D
De
x
x
T
2
2
2
2
2
0

= =
=
=
=

Transmission:
Tunneling Through a Barrier
( )
2
0
2
h
E U m
G

=
The probability that a particle tunnels through a barrier
can be expressed as a transmission coefficient, T, and
a reflection coefficient, R (where T + R = 1). If T is small,
The smaller E is with respect to U
0
, the smaller the
probability that the particle will tunnel through the
barrier.
Gl
e T
2