<p>I think you're referring to quantum tunneling. Well, quantum tunneling is actually essential in nucleosynthesis in stars. Usually quantum tunneling is a very rare occurence — but in a body as large as the Sun (whose diameter is 4 light seconds long), it is bound to happen quite frequently. This is what mainly allows atomic nuclei to collide.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-10-23T13:13:00.380Z
Fusion outside the solar core is negligible.
PM 2Ring
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-29T19:09:23.540Z
2015-11-29T19:09:23.540Z
Sir Cumference
<p>You are referring to <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=eez38xjCYGkC&amp;pg=PA380&amp;lpg=PA380&amp;dq=pyconuclear%20reactions&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=OICoivA8Kn&amp;sig=VGJQ-4h-N6G813g2frBaCDUTcoY&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwix1Ozx0rbJAhUHthoKHZCTD_0Q6AEILjAD#v=onepage&amp;q=pyconuclear%20reactions&amp;f=false" rel="noreferrer">pycnonuclear reactions</a> - these are reactions that are initiated even when the temperature is effectively zero. They are caused by zero-point oscillations of particles that are trapped in a deep potential well and hence are a purely quantum mechanical effect.</p>
<p>This is far from just of theoretical interest. It may be that pycnonuclear reactions occur in the condensed matter of white dwarfs; possibly even initiating the carbon burning that can destroy the star in a Type Ia supernova.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2015-11-29T22:20:30.033Z
2024-10-22T21:21:02.197Z
2024-10-22T21:21:02.197Z
ProfRob
<p>Even if there isn't enough heat and energy in the star to cause nucleosynthesis, could atoms quantum entangle to create a new atomic nuclei? Or would it be quantum tunneling - if this is possible?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-29T15:12:45.540Z
I think what you're talking about is tunneling and not entanglement, and yes I think it's possible, in fact, it might even be fairly common.   I see no reason why, even with insufficient pressure, the occasional 2 hydrogen wouldn't tunnel their way into a deuterium, but as the pressure drops, the likelihood of those events would become extremely rare.    I'm half guessing though.
userLTK
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-29T15:36:38.290Z
But could the newly formed isotope be 2 things at the same time, if quantum tunneling happened? Or does this only happen with things even smaller than atomic nuclei?
Featherball
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-29T19:04:19.167Z
I would concur with @userLTK and state that although it is probably possible, it is unlikely. But, since the number densities we are talking about are quite large than maybe this improbability is sometimes surmounted. However, I doubt it could either recreate the vastness and energy output of nucleosynthesis that we see even in our own Sun.
MichaelJRoberts
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-30T00:47:23.257Z
I don't know what you mean by be "two things at the same time", I think that's an inaccurate definition, but maybe you should clarify what you're asking.
userLTK
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-10-23T13:11:47.373Z
Related: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamow_factor
PM 2Ring
<star><nucleosynthesis>
Can quantum entanglement cause nucleosynthesis to happen in stars?
Featherball
# Can quantum entanglement cause nucleosynthesis to happen in stars?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-11-29)

Even if there isn't enough heat and energy in the star to cause nucleosynthesis, could atoms quantum entangle to create a new atomic nuclei? Or would it be quantum tunneling - if this is possible?

**Tags:** star, nucleosynthesis

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I think what you're talking about is tunneling and not entanglement, and yes I think it's possible, in fact, it might even be fairly common.   I see no reason why, even with insufficient pressure, the occasional 2 hydrogen wouldn't tunnel their way into a deuterium, but as the pressure drops, the likelihood of those events would become extremely rare.    I'm half guessing though.  
> **username_0**: But could the newly formed isotope be 2 things at the same time, if quantum tunneling happened? Or does this only happen with things even smaller than atomic nuclei?  
> **username_2**: I would concur with @username_1 and state that although it is probably possible, it is unlikely. But, since the number densities we are talking about are quite large than maybe this improbability is sometimes surmounted. However, I doubt it could either recreate the vastness and energy output of nucleosynthesis that we see even in our own Sun.  
> **username_1**: I don't know what you mean by be "two things at the same time", I think that's an inaccurate definition, but maybe you should clarify what you're asking.  
> **username_3**: Related: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamow_factor  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2015-11-29. Score: 11 | Accepted answer

You are referring to [pycnonuclear reactions](https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=eez38xjCYGkC&pg=PA380&lpg=PA380&dq=pyconuclear%20reactions&source=bl&ots=OICoivA8Kn&sig=VGJQ-4h-N6G813g2frBaCDUTcoY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwix1Ozx0rbJAhUHthoKHZCTD_0Q6AEILjAD#v=onepage&q=pyconuclear%20reactions&f=false) - these are reactions that are initiated even when the temperature is effectively zero. They are caused by zero-point oscillations of particles that are trapped in a deep potential well and hence are a purely quantum mechanical effect.

This is far from just of theoretical interest. It may be that pycnonuclear reactions occur in the condensed matter of white dwarfs; possibly even initiating the carbon burning that can destroy the star in a Type Ia supernova.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2015-11-29. Score: 2

I think you're referring to quantum tunneling. Well, quantum tunneling is actually essential in nucleosynthesis in stars. Usually quantum tunneling is a very rare occurence — but in a body as large as the Sun (whose diameter is 4 light seconds long), it is bound to happen quite frequently. This is what mainly allows atomic nuclei to collide.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Fusion outside the solar core is negligible.  

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