Semiclassical analysis of level widths for one-dimensional potentials

Abstract

We present a semiclassical study of level widths for a class of one-dimensional potentials in the presence of an ohmic environment. Using a semiclassical approach for the dipole matrix element we obtain the level widths within the golden rule approximation. For potentials with an asymptotic power-law behavior, which may in addition be limited by an infinite wall, we find a universal result: The level widths are proportional to the corresponding quantum number.