Quantum Tunneling Is Not Instantaneous, Physicists Show

Philip Caesar Flores, Dean Alvin L. Pablico, Eric A. Galapon

It was shown in Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 170402 (2012) that quantum tunneling is instantaneous using a time-of-arrival (TOA) operator constructed by Weyl quantization of the classical TOA. However, there are infinitely many possible quantum images of the classical TOA, leaving it unclear if one is uniquely preferred over the others. This raises the question on whether instantaneous tunneling time is simply an artifact of the chosen ordering rule. Here, we demonstrate that tunneling time vanishes for all possible quantum images of the classical arrival time, irrespective of the ordering rule between the position and momentum observables. The result still holds for TOA-operators that are constructed independent of canonical quantization, while still imposing the correct algebra defined by the time-energy canonical commutation relation.

Antonio Defendi, Marco Roncadelli

Aephraim M. Steinberg

Lorenzo Gavassino, Marcelo M. Disconzi

We prove that the classical Dirac equation in the presence of an external (nondynamical) electromagnetic field is a relativistically causal theory. As a corollary, we show that it is impossible to use quantum tunneling to transmit particles or information faster than light. When an electron tunnels through a barrier, it is bound to remain within its future light cone. In conclusion, the relativistic quantum tunneling (if modeled using the Dirac equation) is an entirely subluminal process, and it is not instantaneous.

Florentin Smarandache, Victor Christianto

This book explores the theoretical and philosophical implications of transcending the speed of light limit, building upon Florentin Smarandache's "no speed barrier" hypothesis. This collection of works develops the hypothesis that no physical entity is fundamentally constrained by a speed barrier, suggesting a framework for extending classical and relativistic physics into the realms of Superluminal Physics and Instantaneous Physics. The book’s core technical argument centers on the phenomenon of quantum tunneling and the Hartman effect, where the tunneling time appears independent of barrier width, leading to seemingly superluminal results. The authors propose a novel interpretation of the Hartman effect, suggesting that it is a manifestation of the multivaluedness of solutions to the Schrödinger equation, implying a quantum entity can exist in multiple locations simultaneously and thus appear to tunnel instantaneously. To provide a plausible mechanism for this superluminal effect, the book considers soliton tunnelling, specifically the Falaco soliton, which is presented as a known exact solution to the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations and is proposed as a realistic mechanism for quantum tunneling. Ultimately, the research seeks to find a general theory, such as the S-Multispace Theory, that unites physics at subluminal, relativistic, superluminal, and instantaneous speeds. This theoretical path is explored as an alternative for deep space and interstellar travel, moving beyond conventional concepts like the Alcubierre warp drive or wormholes in General Relativity.