Landau-Zener Transition

Quantum tunneling probability at avoided energy-level crossings

Parameters

Observables

P(diabatic)
P(adiabatic)
LZ formula P_LZ
Time t

Theory

When a two-level system is swept through an avoided crossing, the Landau-Zener formula gives the diabatic (no-flip) transition probability:

P_LZ = exp(−2π Δ² / ℏα)

Slow sweeps (small α) are adiabatic — the state follows the lower branch. Fast sweeps remain diabatic — the state crosses unchanged.