A physical model proposed in this paper resolves existing contradictions between wave and corpuscle properties of quantum particles (electrons) in tunneling effect. By means of AFM methods the work shows that the existence of the second electron on the other side of potential barrier is necessary to realize a tunneling effect in a probe-surface system. At this, only quantum mechanical state of the electron — not its corpuscular properties — described by the wave function tunnels (penetrates) through the potential barrier. The presence of the second electron on the other side of the potential barrier is necessary to establish concatenation with the first, so to say, ‘tunneling’ one. At lack of the second electron on the other side of the potential barrier, only tunneling quantum mechanical state of the first electron is possible — without transferring its corpuscular properties.
A physical model proposed in this paper resolves existing contradictions between wave and corpuscle properties of quantum particles (electrons) in tunneling effect. By means of AFM methods the work shows that the existence of the second electron on the other side of potential barrier is necessary to realize a tunneling effect in a probe-surface system. At this, only quantum mechanical state of the electron — not its corpuscular properties — described by the wave function tunnels (penetrates) through the potential barrier. The presence of the second electron on the other side of the potential barrier is necessary to establish concatenation with the first, so to say, ‘tunneling’ one. At lack of the second electron on the other side of the potential barrier, only tunneling quantum mechanical state of the first electron is possible — without transferring its corpuscular properties.
This paper proposes a classical alternative explanation for the tunneling effect in quantum mechanics. Standard quantum theory describes tunneling as a particle "penetrating" a potential barrier whose energy exceeds the particle's own kinetic energy with a certain probability. However, this explanation focuses only on the mathematical initial and final states, completely ignoring any dynamical process the electron may undergo before the barrier, and lacks a physical picture. This paper argues that tunneling is not an intrinsic quantum property of a single electron, but rather a collective statistical fluctuation event involving multiple electrons: electrons near the barrier, through a series of random collisions in the correct direction, gradually transfer and concentrate kinetic energy onto the electron closest to the barrier, enabling it to instantaneously acquire kinetic energy exceeding the barrier threshold and thus classically fly over the barrier. During the crossing, the electron must do work against the barrier, converting kinetic energy into potential energy; therefore, after crossing, its kinetic energy is reduced and it cannot cross the same barrier again. Tunneling probability is reinterpreted as the success probability of such a "directed energy relay" event. This model is fully self-consistent within the framework of classical electromagnetism and statistical mechanics, requiring no wave functions or probability waves, with a clear physical picture and explicit causal chain. This paper further points out that under strictly single-electron conditions, this model predicts that tunneling will completely disappear, a prediction that stands in fundamental opposition to the standard quantum model and can serve as a decisive experiment to test the two theories.
At the turn of the twentieth century, the establishment of quantum theory propelled rapid advancements, particularly in the understanding of quantum tunnelling—a fundamental phenomenon in quantum mechanics crucial for various physical processes. The quantum phenomenon of particle passes through potential barriers is of great importance. In classical physics, when the energy of a particle is less than the height of a double barrier structure, it is impossible for it to pass through. However, quantum mechanics allows a particle to penetrate the barrier and emerge on the other side. This paper explores the quantum tunnelling effect, focusing on the single potential barrier model in one dimension and subsequently extending to the double potential barrier model. The Schrödinger equation provides the foundational framework for elucidating the motion of microscopic particles, emphasizing wave-particle duality inherent in quantum mechanics. The analysis of the single potential barrier model involves solving the Schrödinger equation in different regions, determining wave functions and coefficients through boundary conditions. The transmission coefficient is derived, representing the probability of a particle passing through a barrier. In the case of a “thick” barrier, an approximate form for transmission coefficient is provided, demonstrating the exponential decrease in transmission probability with increasing barrier thickness.
The tunnel effect, commonly defined as the phenomenon in which a microparticle overcomes a potential barrier that exceeds its total energy, is often cited in quantum mechanics. However, this effect does not actually occur in its described form in nature, and the quantum mechanical interpretation of tunneling does not accurately represent the real physical processes involved, but rather provides a mathematical model. The true physical mechanism of the tunnel effect remains unidentified. An analysis of the tunnel effect reveals that its manifestation creates a “paradox” in classical physics. Explanations based on the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and the wave nature of particles fail to offer a comprehensive understanding of the actual physical process.This study proposes a new explanation of the tunneling phenomenon based on the principles of classical physics and electrodynamics. It is shown that the overcoming of the Coulomb barrier by low-energy microparticles occurs exclusively due to brief localized decreases in potential within the Coulomb barrier, allowing certain charged microparticles to penetrate. The formation mechanism of these short-lived localized regions, which manifest as volume channels with lower potential within the Coulomb barrier, is examined.It is established that the creation of these channels is linked to the properties of atomic nuclear and their associated electric fields. This facilitates the supra barrier penetration of the Coulomb barrier by individual low-energy microparticles that pass through these channels while experiencing a reduction in their total energy. This explanation resolves the “paradox” of the tunneling effect, eliminating the contradiction with classical physics laws.Moreover, the derived estimates of the tunneling process parameters are in qualitative agreement with the results obtained from quantum-mechanical models. The proposed framework aligns with nuclear physics findings, is supported by experimental evidence, and provides a new mechanism for controlling the tunneling effect in various energy-related applications.
In traditional quantum mechanics, electron tunneling is described as a quantum penetration effect through a potential barrier. This paper proposes a new physical framework based on the Energy Gradient Model 2.0 (EGM 2.0), which reinterprets the tunneling phenomenon from the perspective of electron cloud deformation and energy gradient driving. Experiments show that when an external potential is applied to a stable electronic system, the electron cloud distribution is reconstructed without destroying the basic electronic structure. A clear energy threshold exists: below the threshold, only electron cloud deformation and spatial rearrangement occur, which corresponds to the tunneling effect; above the threshold, the original quantum state is destroyed, leading to quantum transition. The EGM 2.0 model unifies the mechanism of electron tunneling and quantum transition, providing a consistent classical-quantum physical explanation.
‘Tunnelling’ is the metaphorical name given to the process, possible in quantum mechanics, but not in classical mechanics, whereby a particle can disappear from one side of a potential-energy barrier and appear on the other side without having enough kinetic energy to mount the barrier. One can think of this as a manifestation of the wave-nature of particles. The wavelength is larger if a particle is lighter. In particular electrons, being very light compared to atoms, have wavelengths as large or larger than atoms at energies found in the valence shells of molecules. Thus, they easily ooze through and around atoms and molecules. We are also concerned with the tunnelling of heavy particles: nuclei, atoms, molecules.
This article provides a comprehensive review of the quantum tunneling effect, one of the most important phenomena in quantum mechanics. According to the laws of classical physics, a particle cannot overcome a potential barrier if it has insufficient energy. However, in quantum mechanics, due to the wave nature of the particle, the probability of penetrating the barrier is non-zero. This work analyzes in detail the theoretical foundations of the tunneling effect, its description via the Schrödinger equation, probability amplitudes, boundary conditions for wave functions, and their physical meaning. Furthermore, the application of this effect in semiconductor physics, nuclear physics, scanning tunneling microscopy, and nanotechnology is discussed. Based on the work of Kazakh scientists, the place and significance of the tunneling effect in modern physics are determined. The research results provide a deeper understanding of quantum phenomena and promote the development of their practical applications.