Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Mathematical Physics

Tunneling through a singular potential barrier

J. Dittrich, Pavel Exner

Published Aug 1, 1985• 56 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum tunneling of a nonrelativistic particle through a singular potential barrier V is studied on the line. The Hamiltonian is a self-adjoint extension of the operator H1=−d2/dx2+V(x). If H1 is essentially self-adjoint on its natural domain, the tunneling is forbidden for a class of potentials that includes all semiclassically impenetrable barriers. If H1 is not essentially self-adjoint, the Friedrichs extension of H1 yields no tunneling for another class of potentials which again includes the semiclassically impenetrable ones. In general, the occurrence of tunneling is not excluded and depends on the self-adjoint extension we choose as the Hamiltonian of our problem. As an example, we evaluate the transmission coefficient for all self-adjoint extensions of the operator H1 referring to V(x)=gx−2 with 0<g< 3/4 .

DOI
10.1063/1.526870

Related papers

On Quantum Tunneling of a Singular Potential

A. Zh. Muradyan

Abstract To get around the difficulty that the singular nature of the potential function V(x) = V0/|x|α introduces into physics, the regularization methods are used. However, they affect the singular nature of the problem, and so we discuss here how quantum tunneling behaves if the original singular nature of the Schrodinger equation remains unperturbed. For this purpose, I am starting from the precondition that the singular terms are mutually compensated in the current probability density and the current can be considered continuous. As a result, it is obtained that the mild-singular potential (with 0 < α < 1) has finite but unusual tunnel transparency, in particular, a non-zero value at zero energy of the incident particle. The transparency of a Coulomb potential well oscillates infinitely at zero energy, and only the strongly singular potential (with α > 1) repeats the property of the regularized prototypes: to be impenetrable.

arXiv:2102.12789•Journal of Contemporary Physics (Armenian Academy of Sciences)•Apr 1, 2021•2 citations

One-Dimensional Tunnel-Junction Formula for the Schrödinger Particle

Masao Hirokawa, Takuya Kosaka

We handle all the self-adjoint extensions of the minimal Schrödinger operator for the nonrelativistic electron living in the one-dimensional configuration space with a junction. We are interested in every boundary condition corresponding to the individual self-adjoint extension. Thus, we clarify all the types of those boundary conditions of the wave functions of the nonrelativistic electron. We find concrete tunnel-junction formulae for the nonrelativistic electron passing through the junction, which reveals the phase factor caused by the tunneling through the junction. Using this tunnel-junction formula, we propose a mathematical possibility of a tunnel-junction device for qubit.

SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics•Jan 1, 2013•3 citations

Quantum motion on a half-line connected to a plane

Pavel Exner, Petr Šeba

In this paper, the free motion of a particle on a manifold that consists of a one-dimensional and a two-dimensional part connected in one point is discussed. The class of admissible Hamiltonians is found using the theory of self-adjoint extensions. Particular attention is paid to those Hamiltonians that allow the particle to pass through the point singularity; the reflection coefficient and other quantities characterizing scattering on the connection point are calculated. A possible application is also discussed.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•Feb 1, 1987•47 citations

Self-Adjointness and the Renormalization of Singular Potentials

Sarang Gopalakrishnan, William Loinaz

Schrodinger operators with very singular potentials fail to produce reasonable spectra, because the usual boundary conditions are insufficient to make them self-adjoint. If one regularizes a singular potential at a length , the bound state energies diverge as → 0. A meaningful spectrum can be restored by picking a self-adjoint extension of the operator, by renormalizing the theory, or by allowing nonunitary time evolution. We show that renormalizations of the 1/r potential fall into two classes: those that are asymptotically equivalent to self-adjoint extensions, and those that reduce to treatments of delta functions. We also apply the apparatus of self-adjoint extensions and renormalization to clarify aspects of anomalous symmetry breaking, supersymmetric quantum mechanics, and one-dimensional quantum mechanics. Lines composed upon reading a thesis abstract by S. Gopalakrishnan Think a moment, dear reader, of that long-legged fly, The sprung meniscus underfoot, And what asymptotes invisible to well-trained eyes Still break the surface at its root. How a singular potential picks tight-bounded energy Apart till it no longer recognizes Its own mirrored face, its extensions, or symmetry; Unless one cautiously renormalizes. You have tried in these pensive pages to show the stuff Such theory’s made of, its quiddity When logic is applied to the diamond rough, And quantum notes ring purely. May Apollo’s clarity pierce through your reasoning And self-adjointed truth and fact Elevate your thought to that sense so pleasing When truth recovers nature’s pact.

•Jan 1, 2006•12 citations

On the problem of quantum tunneling of a singular potential

G. A. Muradyan, H. R. Hakobyan, B. V. Balasanyan

The problem of quantum tunneling through the singular potential barrier $$V(x) = \left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {V_0 (b/x - x/a)^2 ,} & {0 < \left| x \right| \leqslant \sqrt {ab} } \\ {0,} & {\left| x \right| > \sqrt {ab} } \\ \end{array} } \right.$$ is discussed on the subject of the possibility to replace the singular behavior of the problem at the point x = 0 by a limiting process at the top of the truncated potential. The validity of such a replacement and, on this basis, the zero transparency of the quantum potential barrier are shown.

Journal of Contemporary Physics (Armenian Academy of Sciences)•Apr 1, 2016•1 citation

Resonant tunnelling through short-range singular potentials

Alexander V. Zolotaryuk, Peter Leth Christiansen, Sofia V Iermakova

A three-parameter family of point interactions constructed from sequences of symmetric barrier–well–barrier and well–barrier–well rectangles is studied in the limit, when the rectangles are squeezed to zero width but the barrier height and the well depth become infinite (the zero-range limit). The limiting generalized potentials are referred to as the second derivative of Dirac's delta function ±λδ''( x ) with a renormalized coupling constant λ > 0 or simply as ±δ''-like point interactions. As a result, a whole family of self-adjoint extensions of the one-dimensional Schrödinger operator is shown to exist, which results in full and partial resonant tunnelling through this class of singular potentials. The resonant tunnelling occurs for countable sets of interaction strength values in the λ-space which are the roots of several transcendental equations. The comparison with the previous results for δ'-like point interactions is also discussed.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical•Apr 30, 2007•18 citations
Quantum tunneling of a nonrelativistic particle through a singular potential barrier V is studied on the line. The Hamiltonian is a self-adjoint extension of the operator H1=−d2/dx2+V(x). If H1 is essentially self-adjoint on its natural domain, the tunneling is forbidden for a class of potentials that includes all semiclassically impenetrable barriers. If H1 is not essentially self-adjoint, the Friedrichs extension of H1 yields no tunneling for another class of potentials which again includes the semiclassically impenetrable ones. In general, the occurrence of tunneling is not excluded and depends on the self-adjoint extension we choose as the Hamiltonian of our problem. As an example, we evaluate the transmission coefficient for all self-adjoint extensions of the operator H1 referring to V(x)=gx−2 with 0<g< 3/4 .
Abstract To get around the difficulty that the singular nature of the potential function V(x) = V0/|x|α introduces into physics, the regularization methods are used. However, they affect the singular nature of the problem, and so we discuss here how quantum tunneling behaves if the original singular nature of the Schrodinger equation remains unperturbed. For this purpose, I am starting from the precondition that the singular terms are mutually compensated in the current probability density and the current can be considered continuous. As a result, it is obtained that the mild-singular potential (with 0 < α < 1) has finite but unusual tunnel transparency, in particular, a non-zero value at zero energy of the incident particle. The transparency of a Coulomb potential well oscillates infinitely at zero energy, and only the strongly singular potential (with α > 1) repeats the property of the regularized prototypes: to be impenetrable.
We handle all the self-adjoint extensions of the minimal Schrödinger operator for the nonrelativistic electron living in the one-dimensional configuration space with a junction. We are interested in every boundary condition corresponding to the individual self-adjoint extension. Thus, we clarify all the types of those boundary conditions of the wave functions of the nonrelativistic electron. We find concrete tunnel-junction formulae for the nonrelativistic electron passing through the junction, which reveals the phase factor caused by the tunneling through the junction. Using this tunnel-junction formula, we propose a mathematical possibility of a tunnel-junction device for qubit.
In this paper, the free motion of a particle on a manifold that consists of a one-dimensional and a two-dimensional part connected in one point is discussed. The class of admissible Hamiltonians is found using the theory of self-adjoint extensions. Particular attention is paid to those Hamiltonians that allow the particle to pass through the point singularity; the reflection coefficient and other quantities characterizing scattering on the connection point are calculated. A possible application is also discussed.
Schrodinger operators with very singular potentials fail to produce reasonable spectra, because the usual boundary conditions are insufficient to make them self-adjoint. If one regularizes a singular potential at a length , the bound state energies diverge as → 0. A meaningful spectrum can be restored by picking a self-adjoint extension of the operator, by renormalizing the theory, or by allowing nonunitary time evolution. We show that renormalizations of the 1/r potential fall into two classes: those that are asymptotically equivalent to self-adjoint extensions, and those that reduce to treatments of delta functions. We also apply the apparatus of self-adjoint extensions and renormalization to clarify aspects of anomalous symmetry breaking, supersymmetric quantum mechanics, and one-dimensional quantum mechanics. Lines composed upon reading a thesis abstract by S. Gopalakrishnan Think a moment, dear reader, of that long-legged fly, The sprung meniscus underfoot, And what asymptotes invisible to well-trained eyes Still break the surface at its root. How a singular potential picks tight-bounded energy Apart till it no longer recognizes Its own mirrored face, its extensions, or symmetry; Unless one cautiously renormalizes. You have tried in these pensive pages to show the stuff Such theory’s made of, its quiddity When logic is applied to the diamond rough, And quantum notes ring purely. May Apollo’s clarity pierce through your reasoning And self-adjointed truth and fact Elevate your thought to that sense so pleasing When truth recovers nature’s pact.
The problem of quantum tunneling through the singular potential barrier $$V(x) = \left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {V_0 (b/x - x/a)^2 ,} & {0 < \left| x \right| \leqslant \sqrt {ab} } \\ {0,} & {\left| x \right| > \sqrt {ab} } \\ \end{array} } \right.$$ is discussed on the subject of the possibility to replace the singular behavior of the problem at the point x = 0 by a limiting process at the top of the truncated potential. The validity of such a replacement and, on this basis, the zero transparency of the quantum potential barrier are shown.
A three-parameter family of point interactions constructed from sequences of symmetric barrier–well–barrier and well–barrier–well rectangles is studied in the limit, when the rectangles are squeezed to zero width but the barrier height and the well depth become infinite (the zero-range limit). The limiting generalized potentials are referred to as the second derivative of Dirac's delta function ±λδ''( x ) with a renormalized coupling constant λ > 0 or simply as ±δ''-like point interactions. As a result, a whole family of self-adjoint extensions of the one-dimensional Schrödinger operator is shown to exist, which results in full and partial resonant tunnelling through this class of singular potentials. The resonant tunnelling occurs for countable sets of interaction strength values in the λ-space which are the roots of several transcendental equations. The comparison with the previous results for δ'-like point interactions is also discussed.