Relativistic time-dependent quantum dynamics across supercritical barriers for Klein-Gordon and Dirac particles

Abstract

We investigate wave-packet dynamics across supercritical barriers for the Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations. Our treatment is based on a multiple scattering expansion (MSE). For spin-0 particles, the MSE diverges, rendering invalid the use of the usual connection formulas for the scattering basis functions. In a time-dependent formulation, the divergent character of the MSE naturally accounts for charge creation at the barrier boundaries. In the Dirac case, the MSE converges and no charge is created. We show that this time-dependent charge behavior dynamics can adequately explain the Klein paradox in a first-quantized setting. We further compare our semianalytical wave-packet approach to exact finite-difference solutions of the relativistic wave equations.