arXiv:quant-ph/9502003 · Physical Review A

Conditional probabilities in quantum theory and the tunneling-time controversy

Aephraim M. Steinberg

Published Jul 1, 1995• 155 citations

Abstract

It is argued that there is a sensible way to define conditional probabilities in quantum mechanics, assuming only Bayes's theorem and standard quantum theory. These probabilities are equivalent to the ``weak measurement'' predictions due to Aharonov, Albert, and Vaidman [Phys. Rev. Lett. 60, 1351 (1988)] and hence describe the outcomes of real measurements made on subensembles. In particular, this approach is used to address the question of the history of a particle that has tunneled across a barrier. A gedanken experiment is presented to demonstrate the physically testable implications of the results of these calculations, along with graphs of the time evolution of the conditional probability distribution for a tunneling particle and for one undergoing allowed transmission. Numerical results are also presented for the effects of loss in a band-gap medium on transmission and on reflection, as a function of the position of the lossy region; such loss should provide a feasible, though indirect, test of the present conclusions. It is argued that the effects of loss on the pulse delay time are related to the imaginary value of the momentum of a tunneling particle and it is suggested that this might help explain a small discrepancy in an earlier experiment.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.52.32

Related papers

On the status of quantum tunnelling time

Grace E. Field

Abstract How long does a quantum particle take to traverse a classically forbidden energy barrier? In other words, what is the correct expression for quantum tunnelling time? This seemingly simple question has inspired widespread debate in the physics literature. I argue that we should not expect the orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics to provide a unique correct expression for quantum tunnelling time, because to do so it would have to provide a unique correct answer to a question whose assumptions are in tension with its core interpretational commitments. I explain how this conclusion connects to time’s special status in quantum mechanics, the meaningfulness of classically inspired concepts in different interpretations of quantum mechanics, the prospect of constructing experimental tests to distinguish between different interpretations, and the status of weak measurement in resolving questions about the histories of subensembles.

European Journal for Philosophy of ScienceSep 27, 202210 citations

Tunneling times

Partha Ghose

Introduction In classical physics it is meaningful to ask the question, ‘How much time does a particle take to pass through a given region?’ The interesting question in quantum mechanics is: does a particle take a definite time to tunnel through a classically forbidden region? The question has been debated ever since the idea that there was such a time in quantum theory was first put forward by MacColl way back in 1932 [253]. A plethora of times has since then been proposed, and the answer seems to depend on the interpretation of quantum mechanics one uses. A reliable answer is clearly of great importance for the design of high-frequency quantum devices, tunnelling phenomena (as, for example, in scanning tunneling microscopy), nuclear and chemical reactions and, of course, for purely conceptual reasons. Most of the controversies centre around simple and intuitive notions in idealized one-dimensional models in a scattering configuration in which a particle (usually represented by a wave packet) is incident on a potential barrier localized in the interval [ a, b ]. Three kinds of time have been defined in this context. One, called the transmission time τ T ( a, b ), is the average time spent within the barrier region by the particles that are eventually transmitted. Similarly, the reflection time τ R ( a, b ) is the average time spent within the barrier region by the particles that are eventually reflected.

Cambridge University Press eBooksApr 29, 19990 citations

From the paradoxes of the standard wave-packet analysis to the definition of tunneling times for particles

Nikolay Leonidovich Chuprikov

We develop a new variant of the wave-packet analysis and solve the tunneling time problem for one particle. Our approach suggests an individual asymptotic description of the quantum subensembles of transmitted and reflected particles both at the final and initial stage of tunneling. We find the initial states of both subensembles, which are non-orthogonal. The latter reflects ultimately the fact that at the initial stage of tunneling it is impossible to predict whether a particle will be transmitted through or reflected off the barrier. At the same time, in this case, one can say about the to-be-transmitted and to-be-reflected subensembles of particles. We show that before the interaction of the incident packet with the barrier both the number of particles and the expectation value of the particle's momentum are constant for each subensemble. Besides, these asymptotic quantities coincide with those of the corresponding scattered subensemble. On the basis of this formalism we define individual delay times for both scattering channels. Taking into account the spreading of wave packets, we define the low bound of the scattering time to describe the whole quantum ensemble of particles. All three characteristic times are derived in terms of the expectation values of the position and momentum operators. The condition which must be fulfilled for completed scattering events is derived. We propose also the scheme of a {\it gedanken} experiment that allows one to verify our approach.

arXiv:quant-ph/0106129Jun 23, 20010 citations

Time-of-arrival probabilities and quantum measurements. II. Application to tunneling times

Charis Anastopoulos, Ntina Savvidou

We formulate quantum tunneling as a time-of-arrival problem: we determine the detection probability for particles passing through a barrier at a detector located a distance L from the tunneling region. For this purpose, we use a positive-operator-valued measure (POVM) for the time of arrival determined in C. Anastopoulos and N. Savvidou, J. Math. Phys. 47, 122106 (2006). This only depends on the initial state, the Hamiltonian, and the location of the detector. The POVM above provides a well-defined probability density and an unambiguous interpretation of all quantities involved. We demonstrate that for a class of localized initial states, the detection probability allows for an identification of tunneling time with the classic phase time. We also establish limits to the definability of tunneling time. We then generalize these results to a sequential measurement setup: the phase-space properties of the particles are determined by an unsharp sampling before their attempt to cross the barrier. For such measurements the tunneling time is defined as a genuine observable. This allows us to construct a probability distribution for its values that is definable for all initial states and potentials. We also identify a regime in which these probabilities correspond to a tunneling-time operator.

arXiv:0706.2492Journal of Mathematical PhysicsFeb 1, 200816 citations

Time problem in quantum mechanics and its analysis by the concept of weak measurements

Julius Ruseckas, Bronislovas Kaulakys

The model of weak measurements is applied to various problems, related to the time problem in quantum mechanics.The review and generalization of the theoretical analysis of the time problem in quantum mechanics based on the concept of weak measurements are presented.A question of the time interval the system spends in the specified state, when the final state of the system is given, is raised.Using the concept of weak measurements the expression for such time is obtained.The results are applied to the tunnelling problem.A procedure for the calculation of the asymptotic tunnelling and reflection times is proposed.Examples for δ-form and rectangular barrier illustrate the obtained results.Using the concept of weak measurements the arrival time probability distribution is defined by analogy with the classical mechanics.The proposed procedure is suitable to the free particles and to particles subjected to an external potential, as well.It is shown that such an approach imposes an inherent limitation to the accuracy of the arrival time definition.

arXiv:quant-ph/0409006Lithuanian Journal of PhysicsJan 1, 20040 citations

REAL TIME QUANTUM TUNNELING

GEORGE J. PAPADOPOULOS

The time evolution of the probability and current densities stemming from an initial state of a particle in the form of a wave packet on the left hand side of a square barrier is studied. In particular, the space distribution at a given time of the above densities is given. Furthermore, the evolution in time at the entrance and exit of the barrier is given. The numerical results show repeated reversal in the current density at the barrier entrance, while being unidirectional at the exit. However, the probability entering the barrier over a long time equals the corresponding probability exiting the barrier. Owing to the fact that the wave packet expands on both of its sides, as time goes by, it is possible to have transmission even if the particle’s initial momentum points away from the barrier. The effect, in question, becomes evident in a diagram for the transmission coefficient in terms of the particle initial momentum, over a relatively small region.

Jan 1, 20151 citation