Subluminality of relativistic quantum tunneling
Abstract
We prove that the classical Dirac equation in the presence of an external (nondynamical) electromagnetic field is a relativistically causal theory. As a corollary, we show that it is impossible to use quantum tunneling to transmit particles or information faster than light. When an electron tunnels through a barrier, it is bound to remain within its future light cone. In conclusion, the relativistic quantum tunneling (if modeled using the Dirac equation) is an entirely subluminal process, and it is not instantaneous.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review A
- Pub Date:
- March 2023
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevA.107.032209
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2208.09742
- Bibcode:
- 2023PhRvA.107c2209G
- Keywords:
-
- Quantum Physics
- E-Print:
- 14 pages, 6 figures, published on PRA (see https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.107.032209)