The assumption that macroscopic objects can potentially exhibit quantum tunneling is based on the principles and mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics. While quantum tunneling is most commonly observed and studied in the context of subatomic particles, such as electrons and protons, the underlying principles of quantum mechanics suggest that similar phenomena might also occur for macroscopic objects under certain conditions.
Quantum mechanics describes the behavior of particles and systems at the microscopic level, where wave-particle duality and probabilistic nature are prominent. According to quantum mechanics, particles are described by wavefunctions that represent their probability distributions. The wavefunction describes the likelihood of finding a particle at different positions or states.
In the case of quantum tunneling, a particle can pass through a classically forbidden region, such as a potential barrier, even though it does not possess enough energy to overcome the barrier according to classical physics. This occurs because of the wave-like nature of particles and their associated wavefunctions. The wavefunction of a particle extends into the classically forbidden region, allowing for a non-zero probability of the particle being found on the other side of the barrier.
When it comes to macroscopic objects, such as everyday objects like baseballs or even larger systems, the wave-like behavior becomes less apparent due to a phenomenon called decoherence. Decoherence refers to the loss of quantum coherence in a system when it interacts with its environment, leading to the suppression of quantum effects on macroscopic scales. The interaction with the environment causes entanglement with many degrees of freedom, effectively "collapsing" the system into classical behavior.
Despite decoherence, some physicists explore the possibility of macroscopic quantum tunneling under specific conditions. These conditions typically involve systems that are highly isolated from their environment, where decoherence effects are minimized. Experimental efforts have been made to investigate quantum phenomena in larger systems, such as vibrating membranes, superconducting circuits, and Bose-Einstein condensates, to name a few.
While macroscopic quantum tunneling is still an area of ongoing research and debate, the exploration of these phenomena is driven by the idea that the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics should apply universally, regardless of the scale of the system. However, the manifestation and observation of macroscopic quantum tunneling remain challenging due to the intricate nature of decoherence and the sensitivity of macroscopic systems to environmental interactions.
It's important to note that the assumption of macroscopic quantum tunneling is not universally accepted, and there are varying viewpoints within the physics community. Further theoretical and experimental investigations are needed to fully understand the boundaries and limitations of quantum phenomena at macroscopic scales.