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

Preview

Text OnthestatusofquantumtunnelingtimesMay2020.pdf - Submitted Version Download (2MB) | Preview

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.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Field, Grace gef30@cam.ac.uk 0000-0003-2629-7191
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

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item