Thursday 4 January 2018

Can a particle be physically observed inside a quantum barrier?


I understand that if a particle approaches a finite potential barrier of height $V_0$ with energy $E < V_0$, there is still a finite probability of finding the particle on the other side of the barrier due to quantum tunneling.


My question is, since the wavefunction is nonzero inside the barrier region, is it possible to actually make a position measurement and locate a particle inside the barrier?


I mean, if we can say that "there is a nonzero probability that the particle is inside the barrier", surely this would suggest we can do so?


If not, why not? Am I understanding the whole wavefunction/probability distribution thing right?




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