Quantum Tunneling and Wave Packets

Quantum mechanics describes everything around us at the smallest scale, but it is not exactly a simple theory. Understanding the processes that take place at this scale can be made a lot easier with the right material at hand, which is why you might be interested in a simulation such as this one.

Quantum Tunneling and Wave Packets is a Java application designed to let you observe the properties of wave functions that describe particles which tunnel through barriers. It only requires Java to be available on your PC, and it does not need to be installed beforehand.

Using this program, you can observe wave functions for constant, step and barrier potentials, as well as visualize plane wave and wave packet solutions to the Schrodinger equation.

The real part, the imaginary part and absolute value of the wave function are illustrated, as is the probability density. You can set the direction of the incoming wave, as well as define the initial with and position of the wave packet.

Naturally, some knowledge of quantum mechanics is necessary in order to understand these processes. Quantum Tunneling and Wave Packets is primarily designed to be used by teachers trying to explain these concepts to their students.