Step potential
What gives the potential in that case?
Quantum mechanics
The potential in this case is given by: formula_3 The solutions are superpositions of left- and right-moving waves: formula_4 formula_5 where the wave vectors are related to the energy via formula_6, and formula_7 with coefficients A and B determined from the boundary conditions and by imposing a continuous derivative on the solution. Each term of the solution can be interpreted as an incident, reflected, or transmitted component of the wave, allowing the calculation of transmission and reflection coefficients. Notably, in contrast to classical mechanics, incident particles with energies greater than the potential step are partially reflected.