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I am thinking about a problem in quantum mechanics. Given a rectangular potential barrier, say the potential $U(x) = V$ for $0 < x < L$ and $U(x) = 0$ otherwise, I found the solution for the Schroedinger equation $E \psi = -A \psi'' + U \psi$: $$ \psi(x) = \begin{cases} c_1 e^{i k_1 x} + c_2 e^{-i k_1 x} & x < 0 \\ b_1 e^{i k_2 x} + b_2 e^{-i k_2 x} & 0 < x < L \\ d_1 e^{i k_1 x} + d_2 e^{-i k_1 x} & x > L \end{cases} $$ with $k_1 = \sqrt{\frac{E}{A}}, k_2 = \sqrt{\frac{E-V}{A}}$. With $\psi$ being continuous it is possible to find the coefficients. Assuming $c_1 = 1$ and $d_2=0$ we get a unique solution.

Now to my question: I found in some lecture notes that for $E > V$ (the energy of the particle is greater than the energy of the barrier) we have $|c_2|^2 + |d_1|^2 = 1$ and interpret $|c_2|^2$ as the probability that the particle gets reflected and $|d_1|^2$ as the probability that the particle gets transmitted. So the particle is either reflected or transmitted.

For $E < V$ we have $|c_2|^2 + |d_1|^2 < 1$. If we now do the same interpretation we get that there has to be a third possibility for the particle. Can it also happen that the particle gets somehow stuck in the barrier, so the probabilities of reflection and transmission don't add up to $1$? How can we interpret this result physically? Why do we not have a similar behaviour as in the $E > V$ case?

Qmechanic
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1 Answers1

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It is not clear why you come to the conclusion that for $E < V$ you have $|c_2|^2 + |d_1|^2 < 1$. From the conservation of probability current the reflection probability should always sum up with the transmission probability to one. Even for the purely damped electron waves in the potential barrier there is no loss of electrons there. Thus no electrons can "get stuck" in the barrier.

freecharly
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