2009/03/29 by B. I. Ivlev, Ivlev, B.
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Quantum Physics (quant-ph) #Quantum and electron transport phenomena #Quantum optics and atomic interactions #Semiconductor Quantum Structures and Devices
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0903.5100
openalex publication_date 2009/03/29 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Quantum tunneling through a two-dimensional static barrier becomes unusual when a momentum of an electron has a tangent component with respect to a border of the prebarrier region. If the barrier is not homogeneous in the direction perpendicular to tunneling a fraction of the electron state is waves propagating away from the barrier. When the tangent momentum is zero a mutual interference of the waves results in an exponentially small outgoing flux. The finite tangent momentum destroys the interference due to formation of caustics by the waves. As a result, a significant fraction of the prebarrier density is carried away from the barrier providing a not exponentially small penetration even through an almost classical barrier. The total electron energy is well below the barrier.