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PhET Simulation: Quantum Tunneling and Wave Packets
published by the PhET
This PhET interactive simulation allows you to explore how quantum mechanics describes what happens when a subatomic particle approaches a "potential barrier." The particle is represented by a wave packet or a plane wave.  You can set the energy of the incoming packet and the height and shape of the barrier. The simulation shows you the transmitted and reflected waves.
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/quantum-tunneling
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Quantum Physics
- Probability, Waves, and Interference
- Scattering and Unbound Systems
- Upper Undergraduate
- Graduate/Professional
- Lower Undergraduate
- Instructional Material
= Activity
= Interactive Simulation
Intended Users Formats Ratings
- Learners
- Educators
- application/java
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Access Rights: Free access
Restriction: © 2005 PHET; University of Colorado
Additional information is available.
Keywords: barrier tunneling, double barrier, plane wave, wave packet
Record Cloner: Metadata instance created August 28, 2006 by Bruce Mason
Record Updated: Feb 22, 2025 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:		 August 11, 2006
Other Collections:
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Record Link
AIP Format
(PhET, Boulder, 2005), WWW Document, (https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/quantum-tunneling).
AJP/PRST-PER
PhET Simulation: Quantum Tunneling and Wave Packets (PhET, Boulder, 2005), <https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/quantum-tunneling>.
APA Format
PhET Simulation: Quantum Tunneling and Wave Packets. (2006, August 11). Retrieved March 18, 2025, from PhET: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/quantum-tunneling
Chicago Format
PhET. PhET Simulation: Quantum Tunneling and Wave Packets. Boulder: PhET, August 11, 2006. https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/quantum-tunneling (accessed 18 March 2025).
MLA Format
PhET Simulation: Quantum Tunneling and Wave Packets. Boulder: PhET, 2005. 11 Aug. 2006. 18 Mar. 2025 <https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/quantum-tunneling>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Title = {PhET Simulation: Quantum Tunneling and Wave Packets}, Publisher = {PhET}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {18 March 2025}, Month = {August 11, 2006}, Year = {2005} }
Refer Export Format

%T PhET Simulation: Quantum Tunneling and Wave Packets %D August 11, 2006 %I PhET %C Boulder %U https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/quantum-tunneling %O application/java

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %D August 11, 2006 %T PhET Simulation: Quantum Tunneling and Wave Packets %I PhET %V 2025 %N 18 March 2025 %8 August 11, 2006 %9 application/java %U https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/quantum-tunneling


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