Klein paradox

Klein paradox

[′klīn ‚par·ə‚däks]

(quantum mechanics)

The paradox whereby, according to the Dirac electron theory, an electron can penetrate into a potential barrier which is greater than twice the rest energy of the electron (about 1 MeV) by making a transition from a positive energy state to a negative energy state, provided the potential change occurs over a distance on the order of a Compton wavelength or less.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.