Quantum Tunneling and Information Entropy in a Double Square Well Potential: Ammonia Molecule

Abstract

Quantum tunneling is the quantum-mechanical effect where a particle tunnels through a classically forbidden region. Double Square Well Potential (DSWP) is a system where this phenomenon is feasible. Numerous phenomena can be illustrated by considering motion in a pair of wells that are separated by a barrier of finite height and width. The energy level splitting, resulting from barrier penetration, is the reason of the so-called inversion spectrum, which is an example of quantum tunneling. Out of several molecules (\(NH_3\), \(PH_3\), \(AsH_3\), \(NH_2CN\)) where this inversion phenomenon occurs, ammonia molecule \(NH_3\) provides a nice physical realization of a vibrational system with a DSWP. The main goal of the present work is to examine the implications of quantum tunneling on information entropy measures (Shannon's and Fisher's) and statistical complexity.