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On the status of quantum tunnelling time

Field, Grace (2022) On the status of quantum tunnelling time. [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 tunnelling time? This seemingly simple question has inspired widespread debate in the physics literature. I argue that we should not expect the orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics to provide a unique correct expression for quantum tunnelling time, because to do so it would have to provide a unique correct answer to a question whose assumptions are in tension with its core interpretational commitments. 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, the prospect of constructing experimental tests to distinguish between different interpretations, and the status of weak measurement in resolving questions about the histories of subensembles.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Field, Gracegef30@cam.ac.uk0000-0003-2629-7191
Keywords: quantum tunnelling; time in quantum mechanics; interpretations of quantum mechanics; de Broglie-Bohm theory; weak measurement; crucial experiments
Subjects: General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User: Miss Grace Field
Date Deposited: 03 Jul 2022 03:51
Last Modified: 03 Jul 2022 03:51
Item ID: 20829
Subjects: General Issues > Determinism/Indeterminism
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date: 30 June 2022
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/20829

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