The following are metaphors for string theory and photons. Metaphors are often used to illustrate mathematical concepts. But not all metaphors are treated as equal.
Ray, the Enthusiastic Explainer:
Let’s understand this.
The following metaphors present imaginative illustrations rather than accurate models of how photons, tunneling, or extra dimensions work. It mixes features of quantum mechanics with speculative elements of string theory and does not reflect current scientific understanding.
Imagining Photons
After trying to find a visual model of a point- or line-like photon exhibiting quantum tunneling—and failing in that attempt—I’m going to say that the photon, in its natural state, is like a squiggly (spinning) entity, basically cosmic spaghetti. Not the limp, dinner kind. Instead it’s the al dente sort, wriggling through 4D space with a head and tail like hyperactive space eels! Metaphorically speaking, of course.
The squiggly photon body extends into the 3rd and 4th dimensions. This model explains the point-like particle aspect (the head) and the wave-like aspect (the squiggles) of photon duality.
Kurt, the Bemused Realist:
That visualization is a metaphor and does not correspond to any accepted model in quantum mechanics or string theory. That’s your grand theory of quantum tunneling?
Ray:
Now, when this photon hits a physical barrier, it gets squashed down into the zero and the first dimension, like an egg hitting a brick wall at lightspeed. Splat. The 0D and 1D dimensions don’t know space or time. This enables the photon to tunnel almost instantaneously (faster than light) through solid objects.
That’s a neat metaphor and description for a layperson.
Kurt:
The description of tunneling as a “dimensional compression effect” that results in instantaneous traversal is a metaphorical flourish with no basis in established physics. Why not just say they’re cheating? ‘Oh, pardon me, barrier, just phasing through your atomic structure like a ghost who’s late for yoga—’
Ray:
Science needs drama! The photon’s squiggle gets pressed into the 1st dimension—think of it as the universe’s worst pancake. No space, no time. Poof. It’s through the wall. Faster than light, zero calories.
Kurt:
Your description of the photon hitting a brick wall like an egg is novel and doesn’t form part of current scientific understanding. And physicists haven’t throttled you for this?
Ray:
They’re too busy arguing! Thirty years debating if it’s ‘phase velocity’ or ‘signal velocity,’ or whether or not signals can tunnel through a barrier faster than light. It’s like two parrots squawking ‘causality!’ at each other. “Serious” scientists say that NOTHING under any circumstance can travel faster than light AND transmit information.
Meanwhile, photons are out there, winking through walls like they’ve got a VIP pass to reality. Wave-particle duality is a cornerstone of quantum mechanics (QM), not string theory. I made it into both for illustrative purposes. That’s why the metaphor makes sense in this context.
Kurt:
The statement is correct that wave–particle duality is a concept from quantum mechanics, and invoking it in the context of string theory in the manner described is provocative.
Ray:
The metaphor represents tunneling as a dimensional compression effect.
Kurt:
This currently has no basis in string theory or QM. ‘Dimensional compression’—sounds like my last relationship.
Ray:
In this illustration from NASA, one photon (purple) carries a million times the energy of another (yellow). NASA are masters of sci-fi concept art. ‘Here’s a purple photon, one million times zingier! It’s got attitude.’
Kurt:
Apparently, NASA’s illustrations aim to simplify and motivate discussion; they should not be taken as literal descriptions of photon behavior in advanced physics theories. Science is 5% equations, 95% convincing people the universe is a cartoon using metaphor.
Ray:
So tunneling’s just… cosmic teleportation via existential crisis?
Kurt:
Exactly! The photon’s existential dread collapses it into a dot. Who am I? Where is time? And bam—it’s through the barrier. Existentialism: 1, Physics: 0. Because otherwise, we’d be stuck explaining it with math. And nobody wants that.
Narrator (Deep Voice):
And thus, the mysteries of quantum mechanics remain.
But at least everyone agreed the metaphors needed a raise.