Imaginary Action Friends: Ann. Phys. & Textbook for Tunneling

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of tunneling in quantum mechanics, specifically focusing on the technique of imaginary action as referenced in J.S. Langer's work from 1967. Participants seek clarification on the reference and related textbooks to understand this technique better.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the full name of "Ann. Phys." to locate the cited paper.
  • Another participant confirms that "Ann. Phys." refers to "Annals of Physics."
  • A participant expresses difficulty accessing the 1967 paper at their local university library and seeks further clarification on the imaginary action technique.
  • One participant suggests that the imaginary action technique may relate to Feynman's path integral formalism, providing the central equation associated with this formalism.
  • Another participant agrees with the previous point and mentions that the Landau-Lifshitz textbook on non-relativistic quantum mechanics may also cover the technique, indicating they are trying to obtain a copy for further insights.
  • A participant notes that the cited reference was re-published in 2000, suggesting potential accessibility.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express interest in the imaginary action technique and its relation to tunneling, but there is no consensus on the specifics of the technique or its applications. Multiple viewpoints regarding related literature and resources are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not resolved the accessibility of the original paper or the completeness of the information regarding the imaginary action technique. There are also varying opinions on which textbooks may be useful for learning about this topic.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in quantum mechanics, particularly those exploring tunneling phenomena and related theoretical techniques.

plxmny
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Friends,

I am reading that the standard way to discuss tunneling is via imaginary action.
The reference cited is J.S. Langer, Ann. Phys. 1967.

(1) What is the full name of Ann. Phys. so I can look up this paper?
(2) What textbook can I acquire to learn this technique?
 
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plxmny said:
Friends,

I am reading that the standard way to discuss tunneling is via imaginary action.
The reference cited is J.S. Langer, Ann. Phys. 1967.

(1) What is the full name of Ann. Phys. so I can look up this paper?
(2) What textbook can I acquire to learn this technique?

Annals of Physics
 
Thank you - I checked the local university library but they don't have back to 1967 without jumping through hoops. I'll try another tomorrow.

In the meantime I hope someone can shed some light on this imaginary action technique for me.

I tried posting the same query to crackpot-land (google) so we'll see.
 
The imaginary action technique might be a fancy term to describe Feynman's path integral formalism, whose central equation is

[tex]\langle x_b|e^{-i \hat{H} t/\hbar}|x_a\rangle=\int\mathcal{D}x(t)\,e^{i S[x(t)]/\hbar}\,,[/tex]​

where the LHS is the amplitude for a particle to travel (or tunnel) from position [itex]x_a[/itex] to [itex]x_b[/itex]. The imaginary action might be the quantity in the exponent in the RHS.
 
I think that you are correct. I also heard that landau lifschitz nrqm has an exposition of the technique. i am trying to get a copy now to check.

Also I just learned that the cited reference was re-published in 2000 so I might have some luck there. I will let you all know.

kisses,
plxmny
 

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