Electron Scattering at a Potential Temporal Step Discontinuity

Abstract

We solve the problem of electron scattering at a potential temporal step discontinuity. We show that the Schrodinger equation cannot account for scattering in this problem, necessitating resort to the Dirac equation, and that breaking gauge symmetry requires a vector potential, a scalar potential inducing only Aharonov-Bohm type energy transitions. We derive the scattering probabilities, of later forward and backward nature, with the later-backward wave being a relativistic effect, and compare the results with those for the spatial step and classical electromagnetic counterparts of the problem. Given the unrealizability of an infinitely sharp temporal discontinuity - which is of the same nature as its spatial counterpart! - we also provide solutions for a smooth potential step and demonstrate that the same physics as for the infinitely sharp case is obtained when the duration of the potential transition is sufficiently smaller than the de Broglie period of the electron (or deeply sub-period).