# Homework Help: Possible Rectangular Potential Barrier Transmission Problem

1. Sep 10, 2013

### HunterDX77M

1. The Problem Statement
An electron of effective mass m* = 0.2me and energy E = 0.1 eV hits a barrier of height 0.4 eV and width t = 5 nm. What is the probability of transmission through the barrier? Use the simplest estimate which is an exponential function.

2. Relevant equations
I think the Schrodinger equation?

3. The attempt at a solution

First let me just say that the professor stated that the only prerequisites for this course were the first two introductory classes in physics, which at my university covers mechanics, fluids, electricity and magnetism. I have never taken any course in quantum mechanics or any advanced physics. After Googling around for a while, I learned that this was called a "Rectangular Potential Barrier" problem and requires using the Schrodinger equation(s) to solve. I'll be honest, the only thing I know about Schrodinger is the cat. Now having said that, I am completely at a loss for where to even begin on this problem. If someone could point me in the right direction (possibly towards some decent lecture notes on the topic) that would be great.

2. Sep 11, 2013

### rude man

3. Sep 11, 2013

### HunterDX77M

Thank you for your link, rude man. I will look it over and see if it help me understand it.

Also, I was going to post this in the Advanced Physics section, but the sticky post there said if a problem requires plugging into a formula, then it's probably introductory physics. Based on the research I had done up to that point, it seemed like this just required a formula.

4. Sep 11, 2013

### HunterDX77M

Matching the units

I found the following equation in the link:

$T = e^{-2k_2 L}; k_2 = \sqrt{\frac{2m(U-E)}{\hbar}}$

The Problem I am have, however, is that the units don't seem to cancel each other out. In the end T is simply a dimensionless quantity (probability), but that doesn't work out in the math. Take a look below for my reasoning:

$m = 0.2 \times 9.109 \times 10^{-31} ~kg\\ U = 0.4~ eV\\ E = 0.1~ eV\\ \hbar = 6.58 \times 10^{-16} ~eVs\\ L = 5 ~nm \\ \\ k_2 = \sqrt{\frac{2 \times 0.2 \times 9.109 \times 10^{-31} ~kg ~\times ~(0.4-0.1)~eV} {6.58 \times 10^{-16} ~eVs}}$

The eV in the numerator and denominator cancel each other leaving me with units of
$\sqrt{kg/s}$

When multiplied by a unit of distance (with the width L), this does not give me a dimensionless quantity. Am I doing something wrong here?

$e^{nm ~\times ~ \sqrt{kg/s}}$

5. Sep 11, 2013

### rude man

Well, you are absolutely right, and the formula on that link is wrong.

I dug up a better one :
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/quantum/barr.html

This time I think you will be pleased with the dimensional consistency of the given equation. As you can see, the denominator under the sq. rt. needs to be (h-bar)^2, not h-bar.

I would still say that, given formula or not, you're dealing with a subject not typically a part of introductory physics, but what the heck.