Sample interview questions: Explain your knowledge of quantum tunneling and its applications.
Sample answer:
Quantum Tunneling
Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon in quantum mechanics where a particle can pass through a potential energy barrier that it would not have enough energy to surmount classically. This is possible because the wave function of the particle extends slightly into the barrier region, even though the particle itself does not have enough energy to be classically allowed in that region.
The probability of quantum tunneling decreases exponentially with the height and width of the potential barrier. However, for sufficiently narrow and low barriers, the tunneling probability can be significant.
Applications of Quantum Tunneling
Quantum tunneling has a wide range of applications in modern technology, including:
- Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM): STM uses a sharp metal tip to scan the surface of a material at the atomic level. The tip is brought close enough to the surface that quantum tunneling occurs between the tip and the surface, allowing electrons to flow between the two. The resulting current is used to create an image of the surface.
- Flash memory: Flash memory is a type of non-volatile memory that uses quantum tunneling to store data. The data is stored in the form of electrons tha… Read full answer