Kvantumalagútatás

Kvantumalagútatás, also known as quantum tunneling, is a quantum mechanical phenomenon where a particle can pass through a potential energy barrier that it classically should not be able to overcome. According to classical physics, a particle needs to have enough energy to surmount a barrier. However, in quantum mechanics, the wave-like nature of particles allows for a non-zero probability that the particle will appear on the other side of the barrier, even if its energy is less than the barrier height.

The probability of quantum tunneling depends on several factors, including the height and width of the potential barrier, as well as the mass of the particle. Thicker and higher barriers, and heavier particles, result in a lower probability of tunneling. This phenomenon is not directly observable in everyday macroscopic objects due to their large mass, making the tunneling probability infinitesimally small.

Kvantumalagútatás plays a crucial role in various natural processes and technological applications. It is fundamental to nuclear fusion in stars, allowing protons to overcome their electrostatic repulsion. In semiconductor devices, it is utilized in tunnel diodes and flash memory. Scanning tunneling microscopes (STMs) exploit quantum tunneling to image surfaces at the atomic level by measuring the tunneling current between a sharp tip and the sample. It is also relevant in radioactive decay and chemical reactions.