On the status of quantum tunnelling time


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Abstract

jats:titleAbstract</jats:title>jats:pHow long does a quantum particle take to traverse a classically forbidden energy barrier? In other words, what is the correct expression for quantum tunnelling time? This seemingly simple question has inspired widespread debate in the physics literature. I argue that we should not expect the orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics to provide a unique correct expression for quantum tunnelling time, because to do so it would have to provide a unique correct answer to a question whose assumptions are in tension with its core interpretational commitments. I explain how this conclusion connects to time’s special status in quantum mechanics, the meaningfulness of classically inspired concepts in different interpretations of quantum mechanics, the prospect of constructing experimental tests to distinguish between different interpretations, and the status of weak measurement in resolving questions about the histories of subensembles.</jats:p>

Description

Funder: Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme


Funder: SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship

Keywords
Paper in Philosophy of the Natural Sciences, Quantum tunnelling, Time in quantum mechanics, Interpretations of quantum mechanics, de Broglie-Bohm theory
Journal Title
European Journal for Philosophy of Science
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
1879-4912
1879-4920
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC