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arXiv:1610.01252 · Physical review. D/Physical review. D.

Vacuum radiation pressure fluctuations and barrier penetration

Haiyun Huang, Lawrence H. Ford

Published Jul 11, 2017• 15 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We apply recent results on the probability distribution for quantum stress tensor fluctuations to the problem of barrier penetration by quantum particles. The probability for large stress tensor fluctuations decreases relatively slowly with increasing magnitude of the fluctuation, especially when the quantum stress tensor operator has been averaged over a finite time interval. This can lead to large vacuum radiation pressure fluctuations on charged or polarizable particles, which can in turn push the particle over a potential barrier. The rate for this effect depends sensitively upon the details of the time averaging of the stress tensor operator, which might be determined by factors such as the shape of the potential. We make some estimates for the rate of barrier penetration by this mechanism and argue that in some cases this rate can exceed the rate for quantum tunneling through the barrier. The possibility of observation of this effect is discussed.

DOI
10.1103/physrevd.96.016003

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We apply recent results on the probability distribution for quantum stress tensor fluctuations to the problem of barrier penetration by quantum particles. The probability for large stress tensor fluctuations decreases relatively slowly with increasing magnitude of the fluctuation, especially when the quantum stress tensor operator has been averaged over a finite time interval. This can lead to large vacuum radiation pressure fluctuations on charged or polarizable particles, which can in turn push the particle over a potential barrier. The rate for this effect depends sensitively upon the details of the time averaging of the stress tensor operator, which might be determined by factors such as the shape of the potential. We make some estimates for the rate of barrier penetration by this mechanism and argue that in some cases this rate can exceed the rate for quantum tunneling through the barrier. The possibility of observation of this effect is discussed.
Recent work has shown that the stress tensor components, such as energy density or pressure, of a quantum field can be subject to large vacuum fluctuations. The energy density or pressure must be averaged in time before the fluctuations can be finite, and the probability of a large fluctuation depends upon the details of the averaging and can be much larger than that predicted by a Gaussian distribution. This paper explores vacuum radiation pressure fluctuation on Rydberg atoms and their possible observable effects. The excitation and de-excitation of a Rydberg atom provide an explicit model for the time averaging of the radiation pressure, as the atomic polarizability becomes time dependent, first increasing and then decreasing again by several orders of magnitude. This switched polarizability can induce large vacuum pressure fluctuations, which can in turn temporarily transfer linear momentum to the atom and cause a transient recoil which might be observable.
We make a brief review of the Kramers escape rate theory for the probabilistic motion of a particle in a potential well U(x), and under the influence of classical fluctuation forces. The Kramers theory is extended in order to take into account the action of the thermal and zero-point random electromagnetic fields on a charged particle. The result is physically relevant because we get a non null escape rate over the potential barrier at low temperatures (T -> 0). It is found that, even if the mean energy is much smaller than the barrier height, the classical particle can escape from the potential well due to the action of the zero-point fluctuating fields. These stochastic effects can be used to give a classical interpretation to some quantum tunneling phenomena. Relevant experimental data are used to illustrate the theoretical results.
At the turn of the twentieth century, the establishment of quantum theory propelled rapid advancements, particularly in the understanding of quantum tunnelling—a fundamental phenomenon in quantum mechanics crucial for various physical processes. The quantum phenomenon of particle passes through potential barriers is of great importance. In classical physics, when the energy of a particle is less than the height of a double barrier structure, it is impossible for it to pass through. However, quantum mechanics allows a particle to penetrate the barrier and emerge on the other side. This paper explores the quantum tunnelling effect, focusing on the single potential barrier model in one dimension and subsequently extending to the double potential barrier model. The Schrödinger equation provides the foundational framework for elucidating the motion of microscopic particles, emphasizing wave-particle duality inherent in quantum mechanics. The analysis of the single potential barrier model involves solving the Schrödinger equation in different regions, determining wave functions and coefficients through boundary conditions. The transmission coefficient is derived, representing the probability of a particle passing through a barrier. In the case of a “thick” barrier, an approximate form for transmission coefficient is provided, demonstrating the exponential decrease in transmission probability with increasing barrier thickness.
The working principle of a large number of modern scientific equipment has been applied to the quantum tunneling effect. Although the explanations for the relevant principles of this effect are clarified, the calculation process is very complex and difficult to understand. Previous studies combine specific applications without theoretical model references. This study adopts the method of using the time-independent Schrodinger equation to solve the wave function, which is more convenient to obtain the expression of transmission probability. Then, one discusses the relationship between transmission probability and potential barrier width, potential barrier spacing, and incident particle energy. The experimental results show that the transmission probability decreases exponentially from 1 to 0 as the potential barrier width gradually increases. As the potential barrier width increases, the transmission probability exhibits a clear periodic oscillation relationship, the oscillation period remains unchanged, and this paper derives the relationship between the oscillation period and the potential barrier width. As the incident energy of particles gradually increases, the transmission probability exhibits periodic changes, and the minimum value of transmission probability increases with the periodic changes. Based on the analysis, the smaller the potential barrier width, the greater the incident energy, and the more likely quantum tunneling occurs.
Quantum tunneling across double potential barriers is studied. With the assumption that the real space is a continuum, it is rigorously proved that large barriers of arbitrary shapes can be penetrated by low-energy particles with a probability of unity, i.e., realization of resonant tunneling (RT), by simply tuning the interbarrier spacing. The results are demonstrated by tunneling of electrons and protons, in which resonant and sequential tunneling are distinguished. The critical dependence of tunneling probabilities on the barrier positions not only demonstrates the crucial role of phase factors but also points to the possibility of ultrahigh accuracy measurements near resonance. By contrast, the existence of a nonzero minimum length puts upper bounds on the barrier size and particle mass, beyond which effective RT ceases. A scheme is suggested for dealing with the practical difficulties arising from the delocalization of particle position due to the uncertainty principle. This work opens a possible avenue for experimental tests of the existence of a minimum length based on atomic systems. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
An interesting analytical expression is obtained for the coordinate probability distribution of a wave packet transmitted through a potential barrier. In the large-time asymptotics the distribution is given in terms of the transmission amplitude and the phase-space quasidistribution of the initial (not necessarily pure) state. The distortion of a (broad) wave packet due to the barrier penetration is determined by two timelike parameters, given by the energy derivative of the complex transmission amplitude. The resulting change of the packet shape reveals a dependence on the detector position and incorporates a possible speed-up effect and a negative dispersion.