The tunnel effect: on the verge of the worlds

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tunnel effect - an amazing phenomenon, it is impossible from the standpoint of classical physics.But in the mysterious and the mysterious quantum world, there are several other laws of interaction of matter and energy.The tunnel effect is the process of overcoming the elementary particle of a potential barrier, provided that its energy is less than the height of hedges.This phenomenon is very quantum nature and completely contrary to all the laws and dogmas of classical mechanics.More surprising world in which we live.

Understand what is the quantum tunneling effect, can best be an example of a golf ball, running with some force into the hole.At any one time, the total energy of the ball is to counter the potential force of gravity.Assuming that its kinetic energy is inferior to the force of gravity, the said item will not be able to leave well alone.But it is in accordance with the laws of classical physics.To overcome the edge of the pit and continue on his way, he will definitely need an additional angular momentum.So prophesied the great Newton.

In the quantum world, the situation is somewhat different.Now suppose that in the well proved a quantum particle.In this case we will have to go not to the actual physical hole in the ground, and that physics is conventionally called the "potential well."At this magnitude there is an analogue of the physical side - the energy barrier.Here, the situation is changing most dramatically.To place the so-called quantum transition and the particle was outside the barrier, you must have another condition.

If the strength of the external field is less than the potential energy of the particle, then it has a real chance to overcome the barrier regardless of its height.Even if it has enough kinetic energy in the understanding of Newtonian physics.This is the same tunnel effect.It works as follows.Quantum mechanics is peculiar description of any particle not by some physical quantities, but by a wave function associated with the probability distribution of particles in a certain point of space in each particular unit of time.

the collision of particles with a certain barrier with the help of the Schrodinger equation can calculate the probability of overcoming this obstacle.Since the energy barrier is not only absorbs the wave function, but also suppresses it exponentially.In other words, in the quantum world there are no insurmountable barriers, but only additional conditions under which a particle can be outside of these barriers.Various obstacles, of course, interfere with the movement of the particles, but by no means are solid impermeable boundaries.Relatively speaking, it is a kind of frontier between the two worlds - the physical and energy.

tunnel effect has its counterpart in nuclear physics - autoionization of an atom in a strong electric field.Examples of manifestations tunneling abounds and solid state physics.These include field emission, migration of valence electrons, as well as the effects that occur at the junction of two superconductors separated by a thin dielectric film.Exclusive role tunneling implement numerous chemical processes at low and cryogenic temperatures.