What does a deBroglie wave look like?

It is not defined on the physical space, which is the space in which objects exist and move in our everyday experience.In summary, deBroglie waves are neither transverse nor longitudinal, but rather defined on the configuration space. They can be polarized, and the deBroglie wave of a neutral spin-zero Helium 4 atom has been experimentally supported. Additionally, deBroglie waves are not mathematically identical to electromagnetic waves and are simply another name for the wave function of quantum mechanics. They are not defined on physical space, but rather on configuration space.
  • #1
jimgraber
Gold Member
247
18
Are deBroglie waves transverse or longitudinal? Can they be polarized?
What about the deBroglie wave of a ground state neutral spin-zero Helium 4 atom?
What experimental evidence do we have that supports the detailed nature of a deBroglie wave?
I have always assumed that deBroglie waves were mathematically identical to electromagnetic waves, but I just realized there is no basis for this assumption, and in fact it must be false, unless there is an analogue to both the magnetic and the electric components of the electromagnetic wave.
So what does a deBroglie wave "look like"?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
The de Broglie wave "looks like" the wave function of quantum mechanics. Because it is simply anothe name for it.

In particular, it is defined on the configuration space, the space of all possible configurations of the universe.
 

Related to What does a deBroglie wave look like?

1. What is a deBroglie wave?

A deBroglie wave is a type of wave that describes the behavior of matter, specifically particles such as electrons, protons, and neutrons. It was first proposed by French physicist Louis de Broglie in 1924 and is also known as a matter wave.

2. How is a deBroglie wave different from other waves?

A deBroglie wave differs from other waves, such as electromagnetic waves, in that it describes the wave-like behavior of matter. While other waves, like light waves, can travel through a vacuum, deBroglie waves are associated with particles and can only exist within a material medium.

3. What does a deBroglie wave look like?

A deBroglie wave does not have a physical appearance like other waves, as it is a mathematical concept used to describe the behavior of matter. It is often represented as a probability wave, showing the likelihood of a particle's position and momentum at a given time.

4. How is a deBroglie wave related to the dual nature of matter?

The deBroglie wave is closely related to the dual nature of matter, which states that matter can exhibit both particle-like and wave-like behavior. The wave-like behavior of matter is described by the deBroglie wave, while the particle-like behavior is described by the particle's position and momentum.

5. How is the deBroglie wavelength calculated?

The deBroglie wavelength is calculated using the deBroglie equation, which states that the wavelength is equal to Planck's constant divided by the momentum of the particle. This equation shows the relationship between a particle's momentum and its wavelength, with smaller particles having a larger wavelength and vice versa.

Similar threads

A Pilot Wave Theory & Non-Locality
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
23
Views
3K
Questions about deBroglie (matter) waves
    • Quantum Physics
2
Replies
42
Views
14K
I New experimental support for pilot wave theory?
    • Quantum Physics
3
Replies
99
Views
8K
A Is the quantum mechanics explanation for the propagation of light adequate enough to be understood?
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
6
Views
651
B Waves in space
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
10
Views
410
Heisenberg photons and particle velocity measurement
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
1
Views
1K
A Why is the Matter wave analogous to photon and derived from it?
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
13
Views
2K
Are Quantum Waves Tangible or Merely Mathematical Constructs?
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
14
Views
5K
I Why does the Dirac equation lead to spin 1/2?
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
8
Views
5K
I Wave particle duality and phonons
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
10
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top