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On the status of quantum tunneling times

Field, Grace (2020) On the status of quantum tunneling times. [Preprint]

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Abstract

How long does a quantum particle take to traverse a classically forbidden energy barrier? In other words, what is the correct expression for quantum tunneling time? This seemingly simple question has inspired widespread debate in the physics literature. By drawing an analogy with the double-slit experiment, I argue that we should not even expect the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics to provide an expression for quantum tunneling time. I explain how this conclusion connects to time’s special status in quantum mechanics, the meaningfulness of classically inspired concepts in different interpretations of quantum mechanics, and the prospect of constructing experimental tests to distinguish between different interpretations.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Field, Gracegef30@cam.ac.uk0000-0003-2629-7191
Keywords: quantum tunneling; time in quantum mechanics; interpretations of quantum mechanics; de Broglie-Bohm theory
Subjects: General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User: Miss Grace Field
Date Deposited: 26 Nov 2020 05:20
Last Modified: 26 Nov 2020 05:20
Item ID: 18446
Subjects: General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date: 21 May 2020
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/18446

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