Oct 22, 2014 12:31 AM
http://www.theguardian.com/science/life-...tunnelling
EXCERPT: Quantum tunnelling sounds like science fiction, and does indeed feature quite often in the genre. But it is real, and plays a role in nuclear fusion, chemical reactions and the fate of the universe. Here’s how it works... The recent claim from Stark Industries Lockeed Martin that a compact fusion reactor could be built soon is, if true, a breakthrough in engineering rather than basic physics. The basic physics of fusion has been known for some time, and a key element of understanding it is quantum tunnelling. Nuclei have a positive electric charge, and since like charges repel, there is an energy barrier to be overcome. Once the barrier is overcome, the strong nuclear force takes over. One way of overcoming the barrier is ‘quantum tunnelling’, and, weird though it sounds (and indeed is) the maths and physics of that is quite well understood....
EXCERPT: Quantum tunnelling sounds like science fiction, and does indeed feature quite often in the genre. But it is real, and plays a role in nuclear fusion, chemical reactions and the fate of the universe. Here’s how it works... The recent claim from Stark Industries Lockeed Martin that a compact fusion reactor could be built soon is, if true, a breakthrough in engineering rather than basic physics. The basic physics of fusion has been known for some time, and a key element of understanding it is quantum tunnelling. Nuclei have a positive electric charge, and since like charges repel, there is an energy barrier to be overcome. Once the barrier is overcome, the strong nuclear force takes over. One way of overcoming the barrier is ‘quantum tunnelling’, and, weird though it sounds (and indeed is) the maths and physics of that is quite well understood....