1923

L. de Broglie:

particle-wave duality
= h/mv

e Broglies argument:

cording to Planck and Einstein (photoelectric effect),

ergy of a light quanta is:

= h

t from special relativity (Einstein),

= (m02c4+p2c2)1/2

For light, the rest mass m0 =0, E = pc.

Therefore h = pc

Since = c

Thus

p = h/orh/p for

light

de Broglie conjecture: (1923)

if light quanta is a real particle, as suggested in
photoelectric effect, and the Compton experiment, the
relationship between the particle momentum
and its wavelength (spatial periodicity) cannot be unique to
just light, perhaps massive particles like electron may also
have some internal periodicity.
(By then, Bohr had already conjectured periodicity motion of
electrons in atomic orbit in the Bohr model.)
In all waves, the phase velocity V=. If electrons are waves,
they must also have
V = E/p
V = h/p,
is)

(recall E=pc, c=E/p)

here is the matter wave frequency (whatever it

Or p = h/(V/) = h/(/) = h/
i.e. = h/p, since p=mv for massive particles,

For this matter wave to make sense, its group velocity

has to be the particle velocity v,
is it?
Group velocity vg is defined as
vg= d/dk, =2, k =2/
For light, vg= d/dk = dE/dp = d(pc)/dp = c (phase
velocity)
For matter wave,
vg= dE/dp =d((m02c4+p2c2)1/2)/dp = v
However, the phase velocity of matter wave
V=E/p=mc2/mv=c2/v > c.
4

(de Broglie, 1926)

5

Davisson-Germer experiment

Bragg condition:
n= 2dsin

After Davisson-Germer
experiment, the wave
nature of massive
particles was no longer
in doubt.
Neutron optics became
a powerful technology.
10

NIST Center for Neutron Research

= h/mv ~ 1/T1/2
cold neutrons have
long wavelength

Bragg condition:
n= 2dsin

1999-2000

12

Neutron
Diffraction

13

s summarize the crucial conceptual steps:

In 1926, Prof. P. Debye (ETH) said at a seminar given by Schrodinger on

de Broglies paper,
if de Broglies wave picture is to be of substance, there must be a wave
equation . Erwin, why dont you try find it and report to us next week!
Schrodinger did his homework, and got a Nobel Prize later for it.

1913 Bohrs model:

stationary orbits
It explains Balmer
series, but it is
against the laws of
E&M:
circular motion
requires radial
acceleration,
acceleration of
charged particle will
emit radiation,
stationary orbits can
last less than 1 ns
according to E&M.

1885
Balmer series
23

Franck and G. Hertz: Franck-Hertz experiment

1914

28