Barrier penetration theory in more than one dimension
Peter Smith Ring, John O Rasmussen, Herbert Massmann
Quantum-mechanical tunneling theory in more than one dimension is reviewed. Several systems from nuclear and molecular science are considered specifically, such as, alpha decay of spheroidal nuclei, spontaneous fission, and reactive collinear collisions of hydrogen atoms with hydrogen molecules. The ranges of validity of various approximations that reduce to one-dimensional path integrals or Froeman-Nosov matrices are examined, testing where possible against fully quantum-mechanical coupled-channel solutions. The classical-equations-of-motion methods using complex variables (uniform semiclassical approximation) are explored for nonseparable fission-like model systems. Effects of variable valley widths, curving valleys, and of variable inertial tensors are delineated.
Physics of Particles and Nuclei•Oct 1, 1976•1 citation