  We investigate the short-time dynamics of a delta-function potential barrier
on an initially confined wave-packet. There are mainly two conclusions: A) At
short times the probability density of the first particles that passed through
the barrier is unaffected by it. B) When the barrier is absorptive (i.e., its
potential is imaginary) it affects the transmitted wave function at shorter
times than a real potential barrier. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish
between an imaginary and a real potential barrier by measuring its effect at
short times only on the transmitting wavefunction.
