Photo from academic.microsoft.com
We consider a quantum particle with energy E incident upon a one-dimensional potential. We show that the probabilities of transmission and reflection are the same for incidence upon a general… Click to show full abstract
We consider a quantum particle with energy E incident upon a one-dimensional potential. We show that the probabilities of transmission and reflection are the same for incidence upon a general potential from either side (from 'the left' or 'the right'). This equality holds true for any potential which goes to constant values as and is finite for all x. We present a remarkably simple proof that the probabilities are equal. The simplicity of our proof is the most important pedagogical result of our paper, and will be easily understood by undergraduate students in second to fourth year. We discuss several cases, including the step potential and the potential barrier.
Journal Title: European Journal of Physics
Year Published: 2020
Link to full text (if available)
Share on Social Media: Sign Up to like & get
recommendations!