Analogy with Light: Total Internal Reflection & Quantum Tunneling

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Total internal reflection and quantum tunneling share conceptual similarities, particularly through the phenomenon known as "frustrated total internal reflection." This analogy highlights how particles can transition between states despite barriers, akin to light reflecting at critical angles. The discussion also briefly touches on the correct spelling of "tunneling," noting that both "tunneling" and "tunnelling" are acceptable, depending on regional variations. Understanding these concepts can enhance comprehension of quantum mechanics and optics. The exploration of these analogies enriches the study of both fields.
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Is there an analogy between total internal reflection and quantum tunneling? And did I spell tunnelling right?
 
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actionintegral said:
Is there an analogy between total internal reflection and quantum tunneling?
Yes, look up "frustrated total internal reflection".
And did I spell tunnelling right?
Yes, but only once. :wink:
 

Thread 'Two equivalent statements of time reversal symmetric Hamiltonian'

Time reversal invariant Hamiltonians must satisfy ##[H,\Theta]=0## where ##\Theta## is time reversal operator. However, in some texts (for example see Many-body Quantum Theory in Condensed Matter Physics an introduction, HENRIK BRUUS and KARSTEN FLENSBERG, Corrected version: 14 January 2016, section 7.1.4) the time reversal invariant condition is introduced as ##H=H^*##. How these two conditions are identical?
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