Quantum backflow and scattering

Henning Bostelmann, Daniela Cadamuro, Gandalf Lechner

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Abstract

Backflow is the phenomenon that the probability current of a quantum particle on the line can flow in the direction opposite to its momentum. In this article, previous investigations of backflow, pertaining to interaction-free dynamics or purely kinematical aspects, are extended to scattering situations in short-range potentials. It is shown that backflow is a universal quantum effect which exists in any such potential, and is always of bounded spatial extent in a specific sense. The effects of reflection and transmission processes on backflow are investigated, both analytically for general potentials, and numerically in various concrete examples.
Original languageEnglish
Article number012112
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalPhysical Review A
Volume96
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Jul 2017

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©2017 American Physical Society.

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