Chapter 5 – Interactions

Quantum tunnelling

The Uncertainty principle means there is uncertainty in available energy. In quantum mechanics, this allows particles to tunnel through barriers even though classical physics says they cannot

In 1985, John Clarke, Michel Devoret and John Martinis demonstrated quantum tunnelling

Some examples of tunnelling:

• Tunnelling allows hydrogen atoms that normally repel each other to get close enough to fuse and drive the fusion that powers the sun
• Tunnelling is an essential part of radioactive alpha decay
• Tunnelling will become a problem when circuits in chips get so small that electrons can jump across barriers