Complex-time path-integral formalism for quantum tunneling

Abstract

The complex-time formalism is developed in the framework of the path-integral formalism, to be used for analysis of the quantum tunneling phenomena. We show that subleading complex-time saddle points do not account for the right WKB result. Instead, we develop a reduction formula, which enables us to construct Green functions from simple components of the potential, for which the saddle point method is applicable. This method leads us to the valid WKB result, which incorporates imaginary-time instantons and bounces, as well as the real-time boundary conditions.