Enhanced quantum tunneling in quantum Zeno dynamics freezing momentum direction

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that frequent monitoring of a particle's momentum direction in quantum Zeno dynamics can significantly enhance quantum tunneling probability, approaching certainty under certain measurement conditions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of controlling quantum tunneling by using momentum direction measurements within quantum Zeno dynamics, comparing selective and nonselective measurement approaches.

Findings

Nonselective measurements more effectively enhance tunneling.

Tunneling probability can approach unity with frequent momentum monitoring.

Modeling of measurements as von Neumann projections and probe interactions.

Abstract

Quantum tunneling is a fundamental quantum mechanical effect involved in plenty of physical phenomena. Its control would impact these phenomena and the technologies based on them. We show that the quantum tunneling probability through a potential barrier can be increased to approach unity in a quantum Zeno dynamics undergone by the tunneling particle in which the direction of the momentum is frequently monitored. We first model the measurements of the momentum direction as selective von Neumann projections, and then as nonselective, direction-sensitive interactions of the particle with probe particles. Nonselective measurements are more efficient than selective measurements in enhancing the quantum tunneling probability.