Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon where a quantum particle can pass through a potential energy barrier that would be classically impossible to overcome. It is not directly related to the collapse of a wave into a particle, but rather it is a consequence of the wave-like nature of particles described by quantum mechanics.
Quantum tunneling does not have a strict distance limit. In principle, it can occur over any distance, although the probability of tunneling decreases exponentially with the width and height of the barrier. The likelihood of tunneling depends on various factors, such as the energy of the particle, the height and width of the barrier, and the properties of the particle and the barrier material.
When it comes to macroscopic objects or waves like radio and microwaves, the effects of quantum tunneling are generally negligible. Quantum tunneling becomes more significant for particles at the atomic or subatomic scale, where the wave-like behavior dominates.
Radio waves and microwaves are forms of electromagnetic radiation, which exhibit wave-like properties. However, their individual quanta, called photons, have very low energies. The probability of a photon tunneling through a macroscopic barrier, such as a wall, over a large distance is exceedingly small. The effects of tunneling for macroscopic objects become progressively less significant as the objects increase in size.
Quantum tunneling is more commonly observed and studied in the realm of subatomic particles, such as electrons. In this context, tunneling can occur over short distances, typically within the scale of atomic or molecular dimensions. For example, it plays a crucial role in phenomena like scanning tunneling microscopy, tunnel diodes, and radioactive decay.
In summary, while quantum tunneling can, in principle, occur over any distance, its significance and probability decrease rapidly with increasing barrier size and the energy of the particles involved. For macroscopic objects and waves like radio and microwaves, the effects of quantum tunneling are generally negligible and do not lead to noticeable particle materialization over large distances.