Quantum Tunneling
BeginnerQuantum Tunneling is the quantum mechanical phenomenon where a particle passes through an energy barrier it classically should not be able to overcome.
In Plain English
Imagine rolling a ball towards a large hill. Classically, if the ball doesn't have enough energy, it will simply roll back. Quantum tunneling is like the ball having a small but real chance of spontaneously appearing on the other side of the hill, as if it passed straight through the obstacle.
Why It Matters for Your Career
This concept is critical for hardware-focused roles, especially those working with superconducting qubits which rely on tunneling in Josephson junctions. Companies like Google, IBM, and Rigetti may ask about it in technical interviews to test a candidate's foundational physics knowledge. It's also relevant for understanding certain types of quantum errors.
Related Terms
Ready to apply your quantum knowledge?
Browse open positions that use concepts like this. New jobs added daily.