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Physical Review A

Klein paradox and the Dirac-Kronig-Penney model

Bruce H. J. McKellar, G. J. Stephenson

Published Sep 1, 1987• 63 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We analyze the barrier problem and the Kronig-Penney model for Dirac particles, paying attention to the Klein paradox and the nature of the potential. The ambiguities associated with the \ensuremath{\delta}-function limit are examined and the physically reasonable way to include \ensuremath{\delta}-function potentials in the Dirac-Kronig-Penney problem is identified.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.36.2566

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We analyze the barrier problem and the Kronig-Penney model for Dirac particles, paying attention to the Klein paradox and the nature of the potential. The ambiguities associated with the \ensuremath{\delta}-function limit are examined and the physically reasonable way to include \ensuremath{\delta}-function potentials in the Dirac-Kronig-Penney problem is identified.
The Klein paradox is one of the cornerstones in the development of quantum mechanics, and its consequences were used in various branches of physics, ranging from elementary particles to solid state. Yet its mathematical derivation is questionable in a number of steps, resulting in the wrong solution of Dirac equation. In this paper, the paradox is analysed in more detail, and its mathematical content is emphasized in order to show that in the study of extreme conditions of matter simple arguments may result in erroneous predictions.
We present a new resolution of the Klein paradox by considering the problem of electron incidence on a step potential barrier using modified Dirac equations (MDE). Contrary to the generally accepted interpretation, which is based on the Dirac equation (DE) and predicts electron tunneling through an infinitely high barrier, our calculations show that tunneling is impossible if the electron kinetic energy is less than the barrier height. We propose to investigate MDE as an alternative DE relativistic quantum mechanical equation for spin ½ particles․
It is well known that, Klein paradox is one of the most exotic and counterintuitive consequences of quantum theory. Nevertheless, many discussions about the Klein paradox are based upon single-particle Dirac equation in quantum mechanics rather than quantum field method. By using the path integral formalism, we evaluate the reflection and transmission coefficients up to the lowest order for the electron scattering by the finite square barrier potential. Within the context of assuming the step potential is the limiting case of the finite square barrier potential, we explain the Klein paradox that is caused by the ill-definition of the step potential.