QUANTUM WAVE PARTICAL

DUALITY

Mark Hiran
UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO
Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2
History of the theory of wave particle duality .............................................................................................. 1
1. Introduction

In the realm of physics, few concepts

captivate the imagination and challenge the
conventional wisdom of classical mechanics
as profoundly as wave-particle duality. This
fascinating principle fundamentally alters
our understanding of the nature of matter
and light, suggesting that entities such as
electrons and photons can exhibit both
wave-like and particle-like characteristics
depending on the circumstances. Wave-
particle duality emerged from a series of
groundbreaking experiments and
theoretical frameworks developed during
the early 20th century, shattering long-held

beliefs and setting the stage for the

quantum revolution. This introductory page
embarks on a journey into the enigmatic
world of wave-particle duality, delving into
its historical origins, the pivotal experiments
that unraveled its mysteries, and the
profound implications it holds for our
comprehension of the universe at the
quantum level. Join us as we navigate the
intriguing interplay between waves and
particles, illuminating a phenomenon that
has redefined the very essence of modern
physics.
History of the theory of wave particle duality

Around the year 1900 it was understood that The contradictory evidence from electrons
light was a wave, and electrons as well as atoms arrived in the opposite order. Many experiments
were particles. There were a few pieces of by J. J. Thompson,[6]: I:361 Robert
experimental evidence that hinted at something Millikan,[6]: I:89 and Charles Wilson[6]: I:4
deeper. Over the next quarter of a century there among others had shown that free electrons
was a major change in scientific thinking with had particle properties, for instance the
acceptance of quantization of light as well as measurement of their mass by Thompson in
wave behavior of electrons, all of which led to 1897.[7] In 1924 Louis de Broglie in his PhD
the concept of wave-particle duality. thesis Recherches sur la théorie des quanta[8]
introduced his theory of electron waves. He
suggested that an electron around a nucleus
In the late 17th century Sir Isaac Newton had could be thought of as being a standing wave,
advocated that light was particles, but and that electrons and all matter could be
Christiaan Huygens took an opposing wave considered as waves. He merged the idea of
approach.[3] Thomas Young's interference thinking about them as particles, and of
experiments in 1801, and François Arago's thinking of them as waves. He proposed that
detection of the Poisson spot in 1819, validated particles are bundles of waves (wave packets)
Huygen's wave models. However the wave which move with a group velocity and have an
model was challenged in 1901 by Planck's law effective mass. Both of these depend upon the
for black-body radiation.[4] Max Planck energy, which in turn connects to the
heuristically derived a formula for the observed wavevector and the relativistic formulation of
spectrum by assuming that a hypothetical Albert Einstein a few years before.
electrically charged oscillator in a cavity that
contained black-body radiation could only
change its energy in a minimal increment, E, This rapidly became part of what was called by
that was proportional to the frequency of its Erwin Schrödinger undulatory mechanics,[9]
associated electromagnetic wave. In 1905 now called the Schrödinger equation or wave
Einstein interpreted the photoelectric effect mechanics. Both the wave nature and the
also with discrete energies for photons.[5] undulatory mechanics approach were
These both indicate particle behavior. Despite experimentally confirmed for electron beams by
confirmation by various experimental experiments from two groups performed
observations, the photon theory (as it came to independently, the first the Davisson–Germer
be called) remained controversial until Arthur experiment,[10][11][12][13] the other by
Compton performed a series of experiments George Paget Thomson and Alexander Reid.[14]
from 1922 to 1924 demonstrating the Alexander Reid, who was Thomson's graduate
momentum of light.[6]: 211 The experimental student, performed the first experiments,[15]
evidence of particle-like momentum and energy but he died soon after in a motorcycle
seemingly contradicted the earlier work accident[16] and is rarely mentioned. These
demonstrating wave-like interference of light. experiments were rapidly followed by the first
non-relativistic diffraction model for electrons
by Hans Bethe[17] based upon the Schrödinger
equation, which is very close to how electron Wave interference in water due to two sources
diffraction is now described. Significantly, marked as red points on the left
Davidsson and Germer noticed[12][13] that
Wave interference in water due to two sources
their results could not be interpreted using a
marked as red points on the left.
Bragg's law approach as the positions were
systematically different; the approach of
Bethe[17] which includes the refraction due to
the average potential yielded more accurate Classical trajectories for a mass thrown at an
results. angle of 70°, at different speeds.

Classical waves and particles Line trace for a two-slit electron interference
pattern. Compare to a slice through the image
Before proceeding further it is critical to of the water wave pattern above.
introduce some definitions of waves and
particles both in a classical sense and in Curved arc shows a cloud chamber trajectory of
quantum mechanics. Waves and particles are a positron.
two very different models for physical systems, Curved arc shows a cloud chamber trajectory of
each with exceptionally large range of a positron acting like a particle.
application. Classical waves obey a wave
equation; they have continuous values at many Both interference and trajectories are observed
points in space that vary with time; their spatial in quantum systems
extent can vary with time due to diffraction, and Some experiments on quantum systems show
they display wave interference. Physical systems wave-like interference and diffraction; some
exhibiting wave behavior and described by the experiments show particle like collisions.
mathematics of wave equations include water
waves, seismic waves, sound waves, radio
waves, and more.
Quantum systems obey wave equations that
predict particle probability distributions. These
particles are associated with discrete values
Classical particles obey classical mechanics; they called quanta for properties such as spin,
have some center of mass and extent; they electric charge and magnetic moment. These
follow trajectories characterized by positions particles arrive one at time, randomly, but build
and velocities that vary over time; in the up a pattern. The probability that experiments
absence of forces their trajectories are straight will measure particles at any point in space and
lines. Stars, planets, spacecraft, tennis balls, time behaves similar to a classical wave.
bullets, sand grains: particle models work across Experiments can be designed to exhibit
a huge scale. Unlike waves, particles do not diffraction and interference of the probability
exhibit interference. wave.[1] Thus statistically large numbers of the
random particle appearances can display wave-
like properties. Similar equations govern
Classical waves interfere. Particles follow collective excitations called quasiparticles.
trajectories.