Negative time delay for wave reflection from a one-dimensional semi-harmonic well

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phase time of particles reflected by a semi-harmonic well, revealing that the reflection can involve a negative time delay, especially at lower energies, which challenges conventional expectations.

Contribution

It introduces a model of a semi-harmonic well showing negative phase time delays during reflection, a novel phenomenon in quantum scattering.

Findings

Negative time delay occurs for specific energy intervals.

Negative delay magnitude increases as incident energy decreases.

Model demonstrates a semi-harmonic potential with unique reflection properties.

Abstract

It is reported that the phase time of particles which are reflected by a one-dimensional semi-harmonic well includes a time delay term which is negative for definite intervals of the incoming energy. In this interval, the absolute value of the negative time delay becomes larger as the incident energy becomes smaller. The model is a rectangular well with zero potential energy at its right and a harmonic-like interaction at its left.