Quantum Tunneling

Extracted Attributes

• Field

  Quantum Mechanics

• Mechanism

  Wave nature of matter, described by wave functions and the Schrödinger equation

• Probability Factors

  Decreases exponentially with barrier height, barrier width, and particle mass

• Observable Particles

  Low-mass particles (e.g., electrons, protons, hydrogen atoms)

• Role in Quantum Biology

  Electron tunneling in biochemical redox reactions (photosynthesis, cellular respiration, enzymatic catalysis); Proton tunneling in spontaneous DNA mutation

• Limitation in Microelectronics

  Electrons tunnel through insulating layers thinner than approximately 1 nm

• Typical Barrier Thickness (Electrons)

  Approximately 1-3 nm or smaller

• Typical Barrier Thickness (Heavier Particles)

  Approximately 0.1 nm or smaller

Timeline

• The effect of quantum tunneling was predicted in the early 20th century. (Source: summary)

  1900-XX-XX

• Quantum tunneling gained acceptance as a general physical phenomenon by mid-century. (Source: summary)

  1950-XX-XX

• John Martinis published his landmark paper on macroscopic quantum mechanics, detailing research conducted at UC Berkeley under John Clark. His experiment demonstrated for the first time that a macroscopic object (an electrical circuit with Superconductors and a Josephson Junction) exhibits quantum phenomena like Quantum Tunneling, laying the experimental foundation for Quantum Computing. (Source: document_f6547dc7-482f-4c79-9b4d-223f0dc706f0)

  1985-XX-XX

Quantum tunnelling

In physics, quantum tunnelling, barrier penetration, or simply tunnelling is a quantum mechanical phenomenon in which an object such as an electron or atom passes through a potential energy barrier that, according to classical mechanics, should not be passable due to the object not having sufficient energy to pass or surmount the barrier. Tunneling is a consequence of the wave nature of matter, where the quantum wave function describes the state of a particle or other physical system, and wave equations such as the Schrödinger equation describe their behavior. The probability of transmission of a wave packet through a barrier decreases exponentially with the barrier height, the barrier width, and the tunneling particle's mass, so tunneling is seen most prominently in low-mass particles such as electrons or protons tunneling through microscopically narrow barriers. Tunneling is readily detectable with barriers of thickness about 1–3 nm or smaller for electrons, and about 0.1 nm or smaller for heavier particles such as protons or hydrogen atoms. Some sources describe the mere penetration of a wave function into the barrier, without transmission on the other side, as a tunneling effect, such as in tunneling into the walls of a finite potential well. Tunneling plays an essential role in physical phenomena such as nuclear fusion and alpha radioactive decay of atomic nuclei. Tunneling applications include the tunnel diode, quantum computing, flash memory, and the scanning tunneling microscope. Tunneling limits the minimum size of devices used in microelectronics because electrons tunnel readily through insulating layers and transistors that are thinner than about 1 nm. The effect was predicted in the early 20th century. Its acceptance as a general physical phenomenon came mid-century.

Web Search Results

• Quantum tunnelling - Wikipedia

  In physics, quantum tunnelling, barrier penetration, or simply tunnelling is a quantum mechanical phenomenon in which an object such as an electron or atom passes through a potential energy barrier that, according to classical mechanics, should not be passable due to the object not having sufficient energy to pass or surmount the barrier. [...] Tunneling is a consequence of the wave nature of matter, where the quantum wave function describes the state of a particle or other physical system, and wave equations such as the Schrödinger equation describe their behavior. The probability of transmission of a wave packet through a barrier decreases exponentially with the barrier height, the barrier width, and the tunneling particle's mass, so tunneling is seen most prominently in low-mass particles such as electrons or protons tunneling [...] Quantum tunnelling is among the central non-trivial quantum effects in quantum biology. Here it is important both as electron tunnelling and proton tunnelling. Electron tunnelling is a key factor in many biochemical redox reactions (photosynthesis, cellular respiration) as well as enzymatic catalysis. Proton tunnelling is a key factor in spontaneous DNA mutation.

• Exploring Quantum Tunneling: Applications And Implications

  Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon where particles pass through potential energy barriers, even when they don’t have enough energy to classically overcome them. This occurs due to the wave-like behavior of particles at the quantum level, allowing them to exhibit probabilities of being in different locations (Griffiths & Schroeter, 2018). The mathematical framework for understanding tunneling is based on solving the time-independent Schrödinger equation, which describes the probability amplitude [...] Quantum tunneling is a fundamental phenomenon in quantum mechanics, where particles can pass through potential energy barriers, even if they don’t have enough energy to classically overcome them. This effect has been extensively studied and experimentally confirmed in various systems, including scanning tunneling microscopes (STMs) and quantum computing devices. In STMs, the tunneling current is used to image surfaces at the atomic scale, while in quantum computing, tunneling effects are [...] Quantum tunneling in optics and photonics refers to the phenomenon where particles, such as photons, can pass through potential barriers that are theoretically too high for them to cross classically. This effect has been observed in various optical systems, including photonic crystals and optical fibers. In these systems, quantum tunneling allows photons to propagate through regions of high refractive index contrast, enabling the creation of ultra-compact optical devices.

• Quantum Tunneling Explained in Simple Words for Beginners

  Quantum Tunneling is a quantum mechanical phenomenon where particles, like electrons or protons, can pass through a potential energy barrier even if they don't have enough energy to overcome it according to classical physics. This counterintuitive behavior arises from the wave nature of matter, where particles can exist in a probabilistic state described by a wavefunction. The wavefunction can penetrate the barrier, even if the particle doesn't have enough energy to climb over it, allowing for [...] Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon in the realm of quantum mechanics where a particle crosses a gap or barrier that it shouldn't be able to cross in classical terms. Let me explain this with an example. Imagine you're sitting in your living room with your cat. Suddenly, the cat jumps up and dashes to one of the walls of the room. When it reaches the wall, it starts to sniff and lightly touch it. After a minute of doing this, it goes around the wall out of your sight and into the room to

• What Is Quantum Tunnelling? How a 2025 Nobel-winning ...

  Quantum tunnelling is a phenomenon in which a particle passes through an energy barrier it classically lacks the energy to overcome. The effect arises from the wave-like nature of matter described by quantum mechanics, allowing a particle’s probability wave to extend into and beyond forbidden regions. First observed in radioactive decay and later in superconducting systems, quantum tunnelling underpins technologies from semiconductors to quantum computers. [...] In quantum mechanics, a particle can slip through a barrier. Although that may sound like a cross between magic and science fiction, quantum tunnelling is a real and measurable effect at the heart of modern physics. This year’s Nobel Prize in Physics recognized the scientists who proved that, while we can still bounce a tennis ball off a wall, tunnelling isn’t limited to atoms or subatomic particles.

• Quantum tunnelling - BYJU'S

  Quantum tunnelling is defined as a quantum mechanical process where wavefunctions can penetrate through a potential barrier. The transmission through the potential barrier can be finite and relies exponentially on the barrier width and barrier height. The wave functions have the genuine probability of disappearing on one side and reappearing on the remaining side. The first derivative of the wave functions is continuous. In the steady-state case, the probability flux in the forward trajectory [...] Quantum tunnelling is defined as a quantum mechanical process where wavefunctions can penetrate through a potential barrier. The transmission through the potential barrier can be finite and relies exponentially on the barrier width and barrier height. The wave functions have the genuine probability of disappearing on one side and reappearing on the remaining side. Q2 ### Explain the relationship between scanning tunnelling microscopes and quantum tunnelling. [...] Quantum Biology Quantum tunnelling is one of the core quantum phenomena in quantum biology. It is essential for both proton tunnelling and electron tunnelling. Electron tunnelling is a critical factor in numerous biochemical redox reactions (cellular respiration, photosynthesis) and enzymatic catalysis. Proton tunnelling also has a key role in spontaneous DNA mutation. ## Quantum Tunnelling and the Light Speed Threshold