tunneling

(noun)

the quantum-mechanical passing of a particle through an energy barrier

Examples of tunneling in the following topics:

  • Quantum Tunneling

    • If an object lacks enough energy to pass through a barrier, it is possible for it to "tunnel" through imaginary space to the other side.
    • This phenomenon is called quantum tunneling.
    • While the possibility of tunneling is essentially ignorable at macroscopic levels, it occurs regularly on the nanoscale level.
    • Yet, electrons commonly cross from one lobe to the other via quantum tunneling.
    • But what accounts for the difference in probability of an electron tunneling over a nodal plane and a ball tunneling through a brick wall?

  • Quantum-Mechanical View of Atoms

    • Atoms in solid states (or, to be precise, their electron clouds) can be observed individually using special instruments such as the scanning tunneling microscope.

  • Arches and Domes

    • The fixed arch is most often used in reinforced concrete bridge and tunnel construction, where the spans are short.