Klein paradox

noun

Klein paradox

noun

Etymology Discovered by physicist Oskar Klein in 1929.

1

A surprising result of applying the Dirac equation to the problem of electron scattering from a potential barrier. In non-relativistic quantum mechanics, electron tunnelling into a barrier is observed, with exponential damping. However, if the potential is of the order of the electron mass, V∼mc², the barrier is nearly transparent; moreover, as the potential approaches infinity, the reflection diminishes and the electron is always transmitted.

Quantum mechanics

Related terms
Klein tunnelling, Klein tunneling, Klein zone

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.