Necessity of negative Wigner function for tunneling
Yin Long Lin, Oscar Dahlsten
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.
Topics & Concepts
Quantum tunnellingWigner distribution functionOperator (biology)Function (biology)Quantum mechanicsProbabilistic logicQuantumPhysicsStatistical physicsMathematicsStatisticsChemistryEvolutionary biologyGeneTranscription factorRepressorBiologyBiochemistryQuantum Mechanics and ApplicationsQuantum Information and CryptographyCold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates