No resonant tunneling in standard scalar quantum field theory
arXiv:0709.0261 · doi:10.1088/1126-6708/2008/01/066
Abstract
We investigate the nature of resonant tunneling in Quantum Field Theory. Following the pioneering work of Banks, Bender and Wu, we describe quantum field theory in terms of infinite dimensional quantum mechanics and utilize the ``Most probable escape path'' (MPEP) as the class of paths which dominate the path integral in the classically forbidden region. Considering a 1+1 dimensional field theory example we show that there are five conditions that any associated bound state in the classically allowed region must satisfy if resonant tunnelling is to occur, and we then proceed to show that it is impossible to satisfy all five conditions simultaneously.
Section added and both introduction and conclusions expanded in order to clarify a number of points. References added. Minor change to title