Quantum tunneling allows particles to penetrate barriers from "summary" of The Principles of Quantum Mechanics by P. A. M. Dirac
According to the principles of quantum mechanics, particles possess wave-like properties. This means that they can exhibit behaviors such as interference and diffraction, similar to waves. When a particle encounters a barrier that it does not have enough energy to overcome classically, there is still a non-zero probability that it can "tunnel" through the barrier. This phenomenon is a result of the wave nature of particles. The wave function of the particle extends beyond the barrier, allowing for a small but finite probability of finding the particle on the other side. This probability decreases exponentially with the thickness and height of the barrier, but it never drops to zero. Quantum tunneling is a purely quantum mechanical effect that has no classical analogue. In classical physics, particles must possess enough energy to surmount a potential barrier. However, in quantum mechanics, particles can penetrate barriers even when their energy is less than the height of the barrier. This is a direct consequence of the wave-particle duality inherent in quantum theory. The ability of particles to tunnel through barriers has important implications in various fields of physics, such as nuclear fusion, semiconductor devices, and even biological processes. Without the phenomenon of quantum tunneling, many of these processes would not be possible or would behave very differently. Quantum tunneling is a fundamental aspect of the behavior of particles on the quantum scale and underscores the unique and counterintuitive nature of quantum mechanics.
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