Double-Well Quantum Tunneling Visualized via Wigner's Function

TL;DR

This paper visualizes quantum tunneling in double-well potentials using Wigner's function, providing insights into the non-classical correlations and dynamics of quantum states.

Contribution

It introduces the use of Wigner's quasi-probability distribution to visualize and analyze quantum tunneling in double-well systems with exact solutions.

Findings

Wigner's function reveals non-classical correlations during tunneling

Exact solutions characterize ground and first excited states

Visualization enhances understanding of quantum dynamics

Abstract

We investigate quantum tunneling in smooth symmetric and asymmetric double-well potentials. Exact solutions for the ground and first excited states are used to study the dynamics. We introduce Wigner's quasi-probability distribution function to highlight and visualize the non-classical nature of spatial correlations arising in tunneling.