Scattering by an oscillating barrier: quantum, classical, and semiclassical comparison

TL;DR

This paper compares quantum, classical, and semiclassical approaches to scattering by an oscillating barrier, highlighting their differences and agreements in understanding transport phenomena in time-varying potentials.

Contribution

It introduces a semiclassical method that incorporates quantum effects into classical scattering analysis for oscillating barriers.

Findings

Quantum and semiclassical momentum distributions agree well.

Classical physics provides bounds on energy and momentum.

The methods aid understanding of quantum pumping and transport mechanisms.

Abstract

We present a detailed study of scattering by an amplitude-modulated potential barrier using three distinct physical frameworks: quantum, classical, and semiclassical. Classical physics gives bounds on the energy and momentum of the scattered particle, while also providing the foundation for semiclassical theory. We use the semiclassical approach to selectively add quantum-mechanical effects such as interference and diffraction. We find good agreement between the quantum and semiclassical momentum distributions. Our methods and results can be used to understand quantum and classical aspects of transport mechanisms involving time-varying potentials, such as quantum pumping.