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Necessity of negative Wigner function for tunneling

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

Abstract

We consider in what sense quantum tunneling is associated with nonclassical probabilistic behavior. We use the Wigner function quasiprobability picture. We give a definition of tunneling that allows us to say whether in a given scenario there is tunneling or not. We prove that this can only happen if the Wigner function is negative and/or a certain measurement operator which we call the tunneling rate operator has a negative Wigner function. We also investigate tunneling in postquantum theories.
Original languageEnglish
Article number062210
JournalPhysical Review A
Volume102
Issue number6
Online published15 Dec 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020
Externally publishedYes

Funding

O.C.O.D. is grateful for funding from the EU collaborative project TherMiQ (Grant Agreement No. 618074), Wolfson College, University of Oxford, the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

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