Quantum tunneling is a quantum mechanical phenomenon where particles pass through a barrier that they classically shouldn't be able to pass. In classical physics, if a particle doesn't have enough energy to overcome a barrier, it will be stopped. However, in quantum mechanics, particles like electrons have wave-like properties, which allow them to have a nonzero probability of being found on the other side of the barrier, even if they don't have enough energy to overcome it. This effect is crucial in various physical processes, including nuclear fusion in stars and the operation of tunnel diodes and transistors in modern electronics.
量子穿隧效應
在量子力學裏，量子穿隧效應（Quantum tunneling effect）指的是，像電子等微觀粒子能夠穿入或穿越位勢壘的量子行為，儘管位勢壘的高度大於粒子的總能量。在古典力學裏，這是不可能發生的，但使用量子力學理論卻可以給出合理解釋。[1]:xix
量子穿隧效應是太陽核融合所倚賴的機制。量子穿隧效應限制了太陽燃燒的速率，是太陽聚變循環的瓶頸，因此維持太陽的長久壽命。[2]:625[3]許多現代器件的運作都倚賴這效應。
Tunneling is a quantum mechanical phenomenon when a particle is able to penetrate through a potential energy barrier that is higher in energy than the particle's kinetic energy.
