Abstract:Consider a system rendered unstable by both quantum tunneling and thermodynamic fluctuation. The tunneling rate $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$, at temperature ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, is relat...Consider a system rendered unstable by both quantum tunneling and thermodynamic fluctuation. The tunneling rate $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$, at temperature ${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, is related to the free energy $F$ by $\ensuremath{\Gamma}=(\frac{2}{\ensuremath{\hbar}})\mathrm{Im}F$. However, the classical escape rate is $\ensuremath{\Gamma}=(\frac{\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\beta}}{\ensuremath{\pi}})\mathrm{Im}F$, $\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{2}$ being the negative eigenvalue at the saddle point. A general theory of metastability is constructed in which these formulas are true for temperatures, respectively, below and above $\frac{\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\hbar}}{2\ensuremath{\pi}}$ with a narrow transition region of $O({\ensuremath{\hbar}}^{\frac{3}{2}})$.Read More
Publication Year: 1981
Publication Date: 1981-02-09
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 599
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot