The exponential-nonexponential transition in quantum decay as a phenomenon of interference in time domain of the decaying particle with itself

Abstract

By using an exact analytical non-Hermitian approach in terms of resonance (quasinormal) states we express the decaying wave function as the sum of exponential and nonexponential decaying solutions to the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. We show that the exponential-nonexponential transition of decay at long times represents physically a process of interference in time domain of the decaying particle with itself.

5 pages, 1 figure