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

Progress of Theoretical Physics

Quantum Excitations of Intrinsic Degrees of Freedom in Multi-Dimensional Tunneling Systems

Kazuhiro Yamamoto

Published Dec 1, 1996• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We extend a useful formalism to construct a wave function in a multi-dimensional tunneling system and to investigate the quantum excitations of an intrinsic degree of freedom, which is a harmonic oscillator linearly coupled to a tunneling degree of freedom. To demonstrate the usefulness of the formalism, we construct a wave function in an analytic form for a simple tunneling system with a cubic potential. Based on the wave function, we discuss interesting features of the multi-dimensional tunneling system in which the quantum excitations play an important role. It is shown that the quantum excitations of the linearly coupled harmonic oscillators increase the decay width in comparison with the case of no excitations.

DOI
10.1143/ptp.96.1147

Related papers

Semiclassical theory of quantum tunneling in multidimensional systems

N. Takigawa, G. F. Bertsch

A semiclassical method is applied to the problem of quantum tunneling in the presence of internal oscillator degrees of freedom. Comparison with coupled channel calculations verifies the accuracy of the semi-classical method. Providing the coupling has a physically reasonable form factor, the coupling produces an enhancement in the tunneling rate. The enhancement becomes larger when the tunneling degree of freedom couples with a harmonic oscillator with lower frequency. The semiclassical method is found to be quite useful in situations where the coupled channel method becomes numerically difficult.

Physical Review C•Jun 1, 1984•23 citations

Quantum tunneling in multidimensional systems

S.Y. Lee, N. Takigawa

The effects of coupling to a harmonic oscillator on the quantum tunneling of a macroscopic motion are studied through the influence functional formalism of Feynman's path integral method for the general coupling form factor. As an example, we consider the model in which the potential barrier is parabolic and the coupling Hamiltonian is linear in both coordinates of the macroscopic motion and of the intrinsic harmonic oscillator. The results are then compared with the exact solution obtained through the canonical transformation into normal coordinates in the limiting cases when the normal coordinates reduce to the original coordinates. We found that: (1) In the adiabatic case, i.e., when the recurrence time $\frac{\ensuremath{\pi}}{\ensuremath{\omega}}$ of the oscillator is much shorter than the transmission time through the macroscopic potential barrier, the effect of oscillator coupling can be well represented by an effective potential. The coupling enhances the tunneling probability on the whole. (2) There exists a critical energy, above which the tunneling probability is reduced because of the linear oscillator coupling. In the weak coupling limit and when $\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$, the critical energy becomes $\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\infty}$, so that the coupling to the oscillator always reduces the tunneling probability.NUCLEAR REACTIONS Quantum tunneling, coupling of macroscopic motion to intrinsic oscillators, semiclassical method, heavy ion fusion.

Physical Review C•Sep 1, 1983•13 citations

Decoherence on Quantum Tunneling in the Multi-Dimensional Wave Function Approach

Takahiro Tanaka

We consider fundamental problems on the understanding of the tunneling phenomena in the context of the multi-dimensional wave function. In this paper, we reconsider the quantum state after tunneling and extend our previous formalism to the case when the quantum state before tunneling is in a squeezed state. Through considering this problem, we reveal that the quantum decoherence plays a crucial role to allow us of the concise description of the quantum state after tunneling.

Progress of Theoretical Physics•Jan 1, 1995•1 citation

Decoherence on Quantum Tunneling in the Multi-Dimensional Wave Function Approach

Takahiro Tanaka

We consider fundamental problems on the understanding of the tunneling phenomena in the context of the multi-dimensional wave function. In this paper, we reconsider the quantum state after tunneling and extend our previous formalism to the case when the quantum state before tunneling is in a squeezed state. Through considering this problem, we reveal that the quantum decoherence plays a crucial role to allow us of the concise description of the quantum state after tunneling.

arXiv:gr-qc/9410007•Progress of Theoretical Physics•Jan 1, 1995•0 citations

Quantum Trajectory in Multi-Dimensional Non-Linear System

Hiroto Kubotani

We discuss quantum dynamics in multi-dimensional non-linear systems. It is well-known that wave functions are localized in a kicked rotor model. However, coupling with other degrees of freedom breaks the localization. In order to clarify the difference, we describe the quantum dynamics by deterministic rigid trajectories, which are accompanied with the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation of quantum mechanics, instead of wave functions. A bundle of quantum trajectories are repulsive through quantum potential and flow never to go across each other. We show that, according to the degrees of freedom, this same property appears differently.

arXiv:quant-ph/9911002•Nov 2, 1999•1 citation

Quantum tunneling in a dissipative environment

M. Hron, Mohsen Razavy

A wave equation formulation of the problem of quantum tunneling in a dissipative medium is developed by considering a many-body system in which the central particle is subject to an arbitrary force law, and at the same time is coupled to a bath of noninteracting harmonic oscillators. For the motion of the central particle it is possible to obtain an effective Lagrangian and Hamiltonian by eliminating the degrees of freedom of the oscillators. However both of these operators are nonlocal, and it is difficult to derive a wave equation for this motion. As an alternative method one can write a many-body Schrödinger equation for the whole system, and then eliminate the wave functions of all of the oscillators. This result is a many-channel Schrödinger equation for the motion of the central particle. By truncating this set of coupled equations, one can solve the problem for different force laws. In particular, in this work, the cases of dissipative tunneling, hopping, and quantum coherence are studied in detail. It is also shown how this approach can be generalized to multidimensional dissipative systems.

Canadian Journal of Physics•Sep 1, 1992•2 citations
We extend a useful formalism to construct a wave function in a multi-dimensional tunneling system and to investigate the quantum excitations of an intrinsic degree of freedom, which is a harmonic oscillator linearly coupled to a tunneling degree of freedom. To demonstrate the usefulness of the formalism, we construct a wave function in an analytic form for a simple tunneling system with a cubic potential. Based on the wave function, we discuss interesting features of the multi-dimensional tunneling system in which the quantum excitations play an important role. It is shown that the quantum excitations of the linearly coupled harmonic oscillators increase the decay width in comparison with the case of no excitations.
A semiclassical method is applied to the problem of quantum tunneling in the presence of internal oscillator degrees of freedom. Comparison with coupled channel calculations verifies the accuracy of the semi-classical method. Providing the coupling has a physically reasonable form factor, the coupling produces an enhancement in the tunneling rate. The enhancement becomes larger when the tunneling degree of freedom couples with a harmonic oscillator with lower frequency. The semiclassical method is found to be quite useful in situations where the coupled channel method becomes numerically difficult.
The effects of coupling to a harmonic oscillator on the quantum tunneling of a macroscopic motion are studied through the influence functional formalism of Feynman's path integral method for the general coupling form factor. As an example, we consider the model in which the potential barrier is parabolic and the coupling Hamiltonian is linear in both coordinates of the macroscopic motion and of the intrinsic harmonic oscillator. The results are then compared with the exact solution obtained through the canonical transformation into normal coordinates in the limiting cases when the normal coordinates reduce to the original coordinates. We found that: (1) In the adiabatic case, i.e., when the recurrence time $\frac{\ensuremath{\pi}}{\ensuremath{\omega}}$ of the oscillator is much shorter than the transmission time through the macroscopic potential barrier, the effect of oscillator coupling can be well represented by an effective potential. The coupling enhances the tunneling probability on the whole. (2) There exists a critical energy, above which the tunneling probability is reduced because of the linear oscillator coupling. In the weak coupling limit and when $\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$, the critical energy becomes $\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\infty}$, so that the coupling to the oscillator always reduces the tunneling probability.NUCLEAR REACTIONS Quantum tunneling, coupling of macroscopic motion to intrinsic oscillators, semiclassical method, heavy ion fusion.
We discuss quantum dynamics in multi-dimensional non-linear systems. It is well-known that wave functions are localized in a kicked rotor model. However, coupling with other degrees of freedom breaks the localization. In order to clarify the difference, we describe the quantum dynamics by deterministic rigid trajectories, which are accompanied with the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation of quantum mechanics, instead of wave functions. A bundle of quantum trajectories are repulsive through quantum potential and flow never to go across each other. We show that, according to the degrees of freedom, this same property appears differently.
A wave equation formulation of the problem of quantum tunneling in a dissipative medium is developed by considering a many-body system in which the central particle is subject to an arbitrary force law, and at the same time is coupled to a bath of noninteracting harmonic oscillators. For the motion of the central particle it is possible to obtain an effective Lagrangian and Hamiltonian by eliminating the degrees of freedom of the oscillators. However both of these operators are nonlocal, and it is difficult to derive a wave equation for this motion. As an alternative method one can write a many-body Schrödinger equation for the whole system, and then eliminate the wave functions of all of the oscillators. This result is a many-channel Schrödinger equation for the motion of the central particle. By truncating this set of coupled equations, one can solve the problem for different force laws. In particular, in this work, the cases of dissipative tunneling, hopping, and quantum coherence are studied in detail. It is also shown how this approach can be generalized to multidimensional dissipative systems.