Exploring Quantum-Like Tunneling in Active Wave-Particle Entities

Recent research by Runze Xu and Rahil N. Valani, titled "Tunneling in a Lorenz-like model for an active wave-particle entity," explores the dynamics of active wave-particle entities (WPEs), which are self-propelled oil droplets on a vibrating oil bath. These droplets create decaying waves on the liquid surface that influence their motion, demonstrating a two-way interaction between the droplets and their generated waves. The study investigates a dynamical analog of quantum tunneling by modeling a one-dimensional WPE encountering a Gaussian potential barrier. The authors utilize a perturbed Lorenz system to analyze the dynamics and statistics of barrier crossing, focusing on how initial conditions and system parameters affect the outcomes.

Key findings from the research indicate that the velocity fluctuations of the WPE, particularly at high memory states, lead to several phenomena:

• Sensitivity and unpredictability in barrier crossing behavior.
• Smooth variations in the probability of transmission based on system parameters.
• Wave-like characteristics in the probability density profiles of transmitted and reflected particles.

These insights could have implications for understanding quantum-like behaviors in classical systems, potentially bridging gaps between classical fluid dynamics and quantum mechanics. The full paper can be accessed at arXiv:2408.13761.