Timeless Macroscopic Spaces

TL;DR

This paper challenges the notion that quantum tunneling occurs in zero time, presenting evidence that tunneling involves a finite, measurable duration, thus questioning previous assumptions about instantaneous quantum processes.

Contribution

It provides new insights into tunneling time, demonstrating that tunneling is not instantaneous and offering a more accurate understanding of wave packet dynamics in quantum barriers.

Findings

Tunneling involves a finite, measurable time.

Previous claims of zero tunneling time are inconsistent with our results.

The study clarifies the temporal behavior of wave packets in tunneling phenomena.

Abstract

We begin the Article with confusing citations in published papers on the question recently: how much time does a wave packet spend in a tunnelling barrier? ..a particle tunnelling through a barrier appears to do so in zero time 1. .. The pulse transit through the barrier itself seems to be instantaneous 2. ..tunnelling is unlike to be an instantaneous process 3. ..ionization time is close to zero 4. ..all waves have a zero tunneling time [5]. ..Our results are inconsistent with claims that tunnelling takes zero time 6