Eur. Phys. J. C 21, 389-395 (2001)
DOI: 10.1007/s100520100706
Semiclassical approach to time-dependent tunnelling
J.C. Martinez and E. PolatdemirNatural Sciences Group, National Institute of Education, #7-03-110, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616
(Received: 24 April 2001 / Revised version: 15 May 2001 / Published online: 3 August 2001 -© Springer-Verlag / Società Italiana di Fisica 2001 )
Abstract
We present an exact time-dependent semiclassical formulation
of the dynamics
of a 
-atom subjected to an oscillating electric field.
Through a
simple approximation the results
of Ergenzinger's
more intuitive analysis are obtained. We also comment on the
important role played by the imaginary tunnelling time t0,
which is
quite distinct from the usual adiabatic tunnelling time.
© Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag 2001
