Quantum scattering on a delta potential in ghost-free theory

Abstract

We discuss the quantum-mechanical scattering of a massless scalar field on a $\delta$-potential in a ghost-free theory and obtain analytic solutions for the scattering coefficients. Due to the non-locality of the ghost-free theory the transmission coefficient tends to unity for frequencies much larger than the inverse scale of non-locality, even for infinitely strong potentials. At the same time there exists a critical strength of the $\delta$-potential barrier below which there is always a frequency that is totally reflected. These scattering properties in ghost-free theories are quite generic and distinguish them from local field theories. Moreover, we study quasi-normal states that are present for the $\delta$-potential well. In the limit of vanishing non-locality, we recover the standard results of local field theory.

v2: 7 pages, 2 figures, matches published version; v1: 6 pages, 2 figures