Phase delay time and superluminal propagation in barrier tunneling

Abstract

In this work we study the behaviour of Wigner phase delay time for tunneling in the reflection mode. Our system consists of a circular loop connected to a single wire of semi-infinite length in the presence of Aharonov-Bohm flux. We calculate the analytical expression for the saturated delay time. This saturated delay time is independent of Aharonov- Bohm flux and the width of the opaque barrier thereby generalizing the Hartman effect. This effect implies superluminal group velocities as a consequence. We also briefly discuss the concept called "space collapse or space destroyer".