TUNNELING TIME PROBLEM - MORE ABOUT THE TIME ANALYSIS OF TUNNELING PROCESSES - RESPONSE

In our recent review article [Phys. Rep. 214, 339 (1992)] we put forth an analysis of the main theoretical definitions of the sub-barrier tu nnelling and reflection times, and proposed new definitions for such d urations which seem to be self-consistent within conventional quantum mechanics. Very recently, in this Journal [Solid State Commun. 85, 115 (1993)], a paper by C.R. Leavens appeared claiming our definitions to be ''seriously flawed'', on the basis of some numerical calculations for the average transmission times. We have nothing to object to those Leavens' calculations; except that they, simply, do not refer to our approach. In fact, they are based on equations different from the form ulae proposed by us; in other words, Leavens' conclusions are valid fo r theories different from ours. We show in this note how further calcu lations, based on our own equations, do confirm that our approach is p hysically acceptable. Further criticism about our analysis of the dwel l-time approaches is herein answered and commented.