On Tunneling in the Quantum Multiverse

TL;DR

This paper explores quantum tunneling within the Everettian multiverse framework, analyzing tunneling probability and time through wavefunction branching, and discusses macroscopic tunneling phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a novel interpretation of tunneling in the multiverse context, linking tunneling metrics to wavefunction branches and environmental effects.

Findings

Tunneling probability relates to the weight of the tunneled branch.

Tunneling time is connected to the branching duration.

Macroscopic tunneling time is estimated based on the model and data.

Abstract

Prompted by the longstanding interpretational controversy in quantum mechanics, quantum tunneling is heuristically addressed within the Everettian quantum multiverse. In this framework, the universal wavefunction splits into decohered reflected and transmitted branches under the environmetal effect after encountring a potential barrier. The observed tunneling is then experienced by the observer located in a tunneled world. The tunneling probability and the tunneling time are investigated in terms of the tunneled world relative weights and the branching duration, respectively. The macroscopic quantum tunneling, recently honored, is also discussed and the corresponding macroscopic tunneling time is approached based on the obtained results and known data.