James Kakalios, A Tunnel Through Nothing

In 1926, Erwin Schrodinger published the famous equation that bears his name. This equation accounts for a wide range of strange atomic phenomena - but perhaps none is so puzzling as Quantum Tunneling. If two metals are separated by the vacuum of empty space from each other, then even if the electrons in one metal lack the energy to arc and jump the gap between them, the Schrodinger equation predicts that there is a probability that they will nevertheless show up in the second metal. This phenomenon is not just a theoretical curiosity - but the chips in your smartphone and computer memory in your laptop rely on this effect. Quantum tunneling also accounts for some forms of radioactivity and more importantly - the sun wouldn't shine without it! James Kakalios is a Taylor Distinguished Professor and Head of the School of Physics and Astronomy. His experimental research ranges from the nano to the neuro, and he is active in outreach and public engagement. Supplementary material for this video: For those who attended (or watched the recording of) the summer talk: A Tunnel Through Nothing, and would like to know more about Quantum Tunneling, here are some links and videos. Actually, go straight to the World’s Smallest Movie first! Scanning Tunneling Microscope: https://www.nanoscience.com/technique... A Boy and his Atom: The World’s Smallest Movie    • A Boy And His Atom: The World's Smallest M...   How Did They Made It?    • Moving Atoms: Making The World's Smallest ...   Tunneling Review: https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/10... Tunneling Diodes: https://www.physics-and-radio-electro... circuits/semiconductor-diodes/tunneldiode-howitworks.html