Klein paradox

E460374

The Klein paradox is a quantum mechanical phenomenon in relativistic wave equations where particles can pass through high potential barriers with unexpectedly high transmission probabilities, challenging classical intuition about reflection and tunneling.

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Klein paradox canonical 1

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Predicate Object
instanceOf quantum mechanical phenomenon
relativistic quantum effect
appliesTo relativistic electrons
relativistic spin-1/2 particles
spin-0 relativistic particles
challenges classical intuition about reflection
nonrelativistic tunneling intuition
describedBy Dirac equation NERFINISHED
Klein–Gordon equation NERFINISHED
explainedBy Dirac sea picture NERFINISHED
quantum field theoretic pair creation
reinterpretation of negative energy states
field quantum field theory
quantum mechanics
relativistic quantum mechanics
firstDescribedIn 1929
hasConsequence apparent violation of probability current conservation in single-particle theory
hasFeature reflection coefficient greater than one in naive single-particle treatment
transmission coefficient greater than one in naive single-particle treatment
hasInterpretation antiparticle transmission into the barrier region
particle–antiparticle pair creation at the barrier
hasMathematicalFormulation continuity of spinor wavefunction at potential step
matching of probability current across barrier
hasProperty anomalously low reflection probability
high transmission probability
nonclassical behavior at potential step
involves electron–positron pairs
high potential barriers
pair production
particle scattering
quantum tunneling
relativistic wave equations
isDiscussedIn advanced quantum mechanics textbooks
relativistic quantum mechanics courses
isExampleOf limitations of single-particle relativistic quantum mechanics
motivated development of quantum field theoretic scattering descriptions
namedAfter Oskar Klein NERFINISHED
occursWhen V0 > 2mc^2
potential step exceeds twice the particle rest mass energy
relatedTo Dirac equation step potential problem
Klein–Gordon equation scattering NERFINISHED
Schwinger effect NERFINISHED
Zitterbewegung NERFINISHED
graphene transport phenomena
supercritical potentials
resolvedBy quantum field theory treatment
second quantization

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Oskar Klein notableWork Klein paradox