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
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
Abstract This paper examines tunnelling through potential well protected by double barriers as well as the motion of a wave packet encountering this type of potential. Various options for the left and right barriers’ penetration factors are taken into consideration. When one of the penetration factors has limiting value of 0.5, the transmission coefficients turns out to be independent of incoming energy of the particle and the width of potential well. When both penetration factors have a limiting value of 0.5, a scenario similar to resonance tunneling is achieved. Furthermore, by doing the wave packet analysis, we found that the width and height of potential barriers have a negligible impact on the probability of finding the particle inside the potential well in the limit of large penetration factors.
Proton transfer plays a key role in the applications of advanced energy materials as well as in the functionalities of biological systems. In this work, based on the transfer matrix method, we study the quantum effects of proton transfer in a series of one-dimensional (1D) model potentials and numerically calculate the quantum probability of transferring across single and double barriers (wells). In the case of single barriers, when the incident energies of protons are above the barrier height, the quantum oscillations in the transmission coefficients depend on the geometric shape of the barriers. It is found that atomic resonant tunneling (ART) not only presents in the rectangular single well and rectangular double barriers as expected, but also exists in the other types of potential wells and double barriers. For hetero-structured double barriers, there is no resonant tunneling in the classical forbidden zone, i.e., in the case when the incident energy (E i) is lower than the barrier height (E b). Furthermore, we have provided generalized analysis on the characteristics of transmission coefficients of hetero-structured rectangular double barriers.
Abstract Quantum tunneling through potential barriers plays a central role in diverse physical phenomena ranging from nuclear fusion and radioactive decay to semiconductor devices and superconducting technologies. In this work, we calculate tunneling probabilities and wave functions for an arbitrary number of potential barriers with diverse functional forms, including square, Gaussian, parabolic, and Lorentzian profiles, using a general numerical framework. The numerical results are first validated by comparison with exact analytical solutions for double, triple and quadruple-square barrier systems, demonstrating excellent agreement. The results reveal that for a system with N barriers, a single resonance peak splits into ( N − 1 ) distinct peaks, which eventually merge into an energy band as N becomes large, in a manner fully consistent with the existing literature. A key additional result is the incorporation of absorption effects through an imaginary component of the potential, providing a realistic description of particle trapping and leading to a progressive suppression of resonant transmission. For sufficiently strong absorption, the resonant structures are completely washed out. Further, if the barriers become non-uniform or disordered, the regular resonance pattern is also observed to be completely washed out. These findings demonstrate the broad applicability of the approach to complex potential landscapes and offer insights relevant to both fundamental quantum mechanics and the design of next-generation quantum devices.
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.
This paper presents a finite, physical resolution of quantum tunneling within the Dual Regulator Framework, interpreting barrier penetration as a temporary excursion into the virtual domain rather than a paradoxical traversal of classically forbidden space. In this framework, particles encountering a potential barrier transition from the real domain (on-shell, position space, RG-regulated) into a virtual domain (off-shell, momentum space, Λφ-regulated), where position-space potentials are undefined. After traversing the barrier off-shell, particles re-emerge into the real domain on the opposite side. Energy conservation is preserved through finite energy–time uncertainty, without invoking nonphysical violations. The formalism yields a modified tunneling length scale and probability law, introducing a universal Λφ correction to standard WKB results. This leads to quantitative, testable predictions across multiple systems, including: alpha decay half-lives with sub-percent accuracy across the periodic table, scanning tunneling microscope current–distance relations with φ-harmonic structure, ammonia inversion frequency corrected by a (1 + Λφ/π) factor matching experiment, tunneling time saturation consistent with the Hartman effect and attosecond measurements. All results derive solely from the Trinity constants {π, φ, e} with zero adjustable parameters. The paper resolves the tunneling mystery by identifying tunneling as a finite, domain-limited physical process rather than a purely mathematical artifact. This work constitutes Paper IV in a planned sequence addressing foundational inconsistencies in quantum field theory, following finite resolutions of measurement, wave–particle duality, and entanglement. Licenses Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial No Derivatives 4.0 Internationa
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.