Scattering By an Oscillating Barrier: Quantum, Classical, and Semiclassical Comparison

Authors

Tommy A. Byrd, William & Mary
Megan K. Ivory, William & Mary
Andrew J. Pyle
Seth Aubin, William & MaryFollow
Kevin A. Mitchell
John B. Delos, William & MaryFollow
Kunal K. Das

Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Physics

Journal Title

Physical Review A

Pub Date

7-2012

Volume

86

Issue

1

Abstract

We present a detailed study of scattering by an amplitude-modulated potential barrier using three distinct physical frameworks: quantum, classical, and semiclassical. Classical physics gives bounds on the energy and momentum of the scattered particle, while also providing the foundation for semiclassical theory. We use the semiclassical approach to selectively add quantum-mechanical effects such as interference and diffraction. We find good agreement between the quantum and semiclassical momentum distributions. Our methods and results can be used to understand quantum and classical aspects of transport mechanisms involving time-varying potentials, such as quantum pumping.

Recommended Citation

Byrd, Tommy A.; Ivory, Megan K.; Pyle, Andrew J.; Aubin, Seth; Mitchell, Kevin A.; Delos, John B.; and Das, Kunal K., Scattering By an Oscillating Barrier: Quantum, Classical, and Semiclassical Comparison (2012). Physical Review A, 86(1).
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.86.013622

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.86.013622