Complex classical paths in quantum reflections and tunneling

The real-time propagator of the symmetric Rosen-Morse, also known as the symmetric modified Pöschl-Teller, barrier is expressed in the Picard-Lefschetz path integral formalism using real and complex classical paths. We explain how the interference pattern in the real-time propagator and energy propagator is organized by caustics and Stokes phenomena and list the relevant real and complex classical paths as a function of the initial and final position. We discover the occurrence of singularity crossings, where the analytic continuation of the complex classical path no longer satisfies the boundary value problem and needs to be analytically continued. Moreover, we demonstrate how these singularity crossings play a central role in the real-time description of quantum tunneling.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Published
2025-04-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.111.085027
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.25

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article

Complex classical paths in quantum reflections and tunneling

Ue‐Li Pen, Dylan L. Jow, Job Feldbrugge
1 citations
Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates
1.25
article

Complex classical paths in quantum reflections and tunneling

Ue‐Li Pen, Dylan L. Jow, Job Feldbrugge
article en
1 citations

Abstract

The real-time propagator of the symmetric Rosen-Morse, also known as the symmetric modified Pöschl-Teller, barrier is expressed in the Picard-Lefschetz path integral formalism using real and complex classical paths. We explain how the interference pattern in the real-time propagator and energy propagator is organized by caustics and Stokes phenomena and list the relevant real and complex classical paths as a function of the initial and final position. We discover the occurrence of singularity crossings, where the analytic continuation of the complex classical path no longer satisfies the boundary value problem and needs to be analytically continued. Moreover, we demonstrate how these singularity crossings play a central role in the real-time description of quantum tunneling.

Physical review. D/Physical review. D.Vol. 111(8)
Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CA), Perimeter Institute (CA), University of Toronto (CA), Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CA), Academia Sinica (TW)
Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Ontario Research Foundation, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Science and Technology Facilities Council
Openalex Percentile: Top 22%
Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates
1.25
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