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A method for finding tunneling probability for a barrier that is "wide" but whose height varies in an arbitrary way is the so-called WKB approximation.

T=exp[2122m(U(x)E)dx]

Here U(x) is the height of the arbitrary potential energy barrier.Whicha particle first penetrates at x=0 and finally exits at x=L. Although not entirely rigorous, show that this can be obtained by treating the barrier as a series of rectangular slices, each of width dx (though each is still a "wide" barrier), and by assuming that the probability of tunneling through the total is the product of the probabilities for each slice.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The final tunneling probability isTtotal=exp[0L22m(U(x)E)dx]

Step by step solution

01

 Given Data

The potential barrier extends fromx=0 to x=L.

The height of the potential barrier is U(x).

02

 Concept

In quantum mechanics, there is a possibility that a particle can cross the potential barrier higher than its kinetic energy, by penetrating through it. This phenomenon is known as Tunneling.

03

 

Let us consider T= transmission coefficient of a wide potential barrier.

If E is the energy of incident particles and Uois the height of potential barrier, then transmission coefficient can be written as

T=16EUo(1EUo)e2L2m(UoE)/

The total transmission probability for entire potential barrier,considering it to be a series of very thin rectangular slices of width x, is the product of probability of transmission for each slice.

Ttotaln=0Lexp[2(x)2m(UE)]exp[n=0L2(x)2m(UE)]

Here we are using Riemann sum method to convert the above equation back to integration with limit x=0 to x=L and replacing potential steps (Un)with Ux(a continuous functions of X)

Ttotal=exp[0L22m(U(x)E)dx]

The final tunneling probability isTtotal=exp[0L22m(U(x)E)dx]

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The equations for Rand T in the E>U0barrier essentially the same as light through a transparent film. It is possible to fabricate a thin film that reflects no light. Is it possible to fabricate one that transmits no light? Why? Why not?

Particles of energy Eare incident from the left, where U(x)=0, and at the origin encounter an abrupt drop in potential energy, whose depth is -3E.

  1. Classically, what would the particles do, and what would happen to their kinetic energy?
  2. Apply quantum mechanics, assuming an incident wave of the forminc=eikx, where the normalization constant has been given a simple value of 1, determine completely the wave function everywhere, including numeric values for multiplicative constants.
  3. What is the probability that incident particles will be reflected?

Given the same particle energy and barrier height and width, which would tunnel more readily: a proton or an electron? Is this consistent with the usual rule of thumb governing whether classical or non-classical behavior should prevail?

To obtain a rough estimate of the mean time required for uranium-238 to alpha-decay, let us approximate the combined electrostatic and strong nuclear potential energies by rectangular potential barrier half as high as the actual 35 Mev maximum potential energy. Alpha particles (mass 4 u) of 4.3 Mev kinetic energy are incident. Let us also assume that the barrier extends from the radius of nucleus, 7.4 fm to the point where the electrostatic potential drops to 4.3 Mev (i.e., the classically forbidden region). Because U(1/r), this point is 35/4.3 times the radius of the nucleus, the point at which U(r) is 35 Mev. (a) Use these crude approximations, the method suggested in Section 6.3, and the wide-barrier approximation to obtain a value for the time it takes to decay. (b) To gain some appreciation of the difficulties in a theoretical prediction, work the exercise 鈥渂ackward鈥 Rather than assuming a value for U0, use the known value of the mean time to decay for uranium-238 and infer the corresponding value of U0, Retain all other assumptions. (c) Comment on the sensitivity of the decay time to the height of the potential barrier.

Exercise 39 gives a condition for resonant tunneling through two barriers separated by a space width of2s, expressed I terms of factorgiven in exercise 30. Show that in the limit in which barrier widthL, this condition becomes exactly energy quantization condition (5.22) for finite well. Thus, resonant tunneling occurs at the quantized energies of intervening well.

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