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WKB Tunneling2

This document discusses applying the WKB approximation to quantum tunneling through barriers. It presents the Schrodinger equation solutions inside and outside the barrier region. The boundary conditions at the barrier edges are used to derive an expression for the tunneling transmission coefficient T as a function of the barrier width and potential. For a simple constant potential barrier, T takes the form of an exponential decay with barrier width, consistent with experimental observations of quantum tunneling.

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108 views2 pages

WKB Tunneling2

This document discusses applying the WKB approximation to quantum tunneling through barriers. It presents the Schrodinger equation solutions inside and outside the barrier region. The boundary conditions at the barrier edges are used to derive an expression for the tunneling transmission coefficient T as a function of the barrier width and potential. For a simple constant potential barrier, T takes the form of an exponential decay with barrier width, consistent with experimental observations of quantum tunneling.

Uploaded by

marcovaldo123
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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WKB Approximation Applied to Tunneling

ΨI = eikx + rI e−ikx

ΨII tII (x)e−θ(x) + rII (x)eθ(x)


=
�
2m
k = E
¯h2
� x�
2m
θ(x) = (V (x� ) − E) dx�
0 ¯h2
ΨIII = AIII eikx

Note, we use t(x) and r(x) in ΨII , but they can only take the WKB AWAY from the classical turning

point.

Now we assume rII = 0. This is safe as long as the barrier remains relatively thick (so the reflected wave
has small amplitude).

Now consider the coundary condition at x = 0:

ΨI (0) = tII (0)e−θ(0)

1
�
e−θ(x) 2m
⇒ ΨII (x) = ΨI (0) � , where ζ(x) = (V (x) − E).
ζ(x) h̄

Keep in mind that ΨII (x) is the approximate eigenstate only (e.g at x = 0, ΨII → ∞ which is clearly

unphysical).

Now consider the boundary condition for continuity at W :

� W � 2m
− (V (x� )−W ) dx�
ΨI (0)e 0 ¯2
h
ΨII (W ) = � = ΨIII (W ).
2m
4
¯2
h
(V (W ) − E)

Then

� ΨIII (W ) �2
� �
T = �
� ΨI (0) �
�
� W � 2m
−2 (V (x� )−E) dx�
e 0 ¯2
h
= �
2m
¯2
h
(V (W ) − E)

This solution has the form T = Ae−2θ(x) . In general tunneling barriers will have a dependence of

√
T ∼
= e− φ0 W ,

which falls out of the derivation above if V (x) = φ0 , 0 < x < W (so the barrier height is a constant).
More complex barriers may require careful corrections to WKB to achieve quantitative agreement with
experiments.

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