We propose a new approach for the estimate of the rate of degeneracy of the lowest eigenvalues of the Schrödinger operator in the presence of tunneling based on the theory of diffusion processes. Our method provides lower and upper bounds for the energy splittings and the rates of localization of the wave functions and enables us to discuss cases which, as far as we know, have never been treated rigorously in the literature. In particular we give an analysis of the effect on eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of localized deformations of 1) symmetric double well potentials 2) potentials periodic and symmetric over a finite interval. Theses situations are characterized by a remarkable dependence on such deformations. Our probabilistic techniques are inspired by the theory of small random perturbations of dynamical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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