A Wave Packet Approach to Resonant Scattering

Abstract

Resonant transmission occurs when constructive interference results in the complete passage of an incoming wave through an array of barriers. In this paper we explore such a scenario with one dimensional models. We adopt wave packets with finite width to illustrate the deterioration of resonance with decreasing wave packet width, and suggest an approximate wave function for the transmitted and reflected components, derived from aspects of both the wave packet and plane wave approaches. A comparison with exact numerical calculations shows excellent agreement, and provides insight into the scattering process.