Module I

Quantum Physics
Syllabus
Dual Nature of Electro-magnetic radiation, de-Broglie
waves,
Devisson & Germer Experiment(Experimental
verification of de-Broglie waves),
Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle and its Applications,
Schrodingers wave equations, Particle in a Box,
Compton Effect,
Spectroscopic Applications of Quantum Mechanics :
AFM and STM.
Particle vs Waves
Some experiments are best explained by the
photon model like Photoelectric effect and
Thermoelectric effect.
Some are best explained by the wave model like
Interference, Diffraction etc
We must accept both models and admit that the
true nature of light is not describable in terms of
any single classical model
The particle and wave models complement one
another
Dual Nature of EM radiation
To explain all experiments with EM radiation
(light), one must assume that light can be
described both as wave (Interference, Diffraction)
and particles (Photoelectric Effect, Frank-Hertz
Experiment, x-ray production, x-ray scattering
from electron)
To observe wave properties must make
observations using devices with dimensions
comparable to the wavelength.
For instance, wave properties of X-rays were observed
in diffraction from arrays of atoms in solids spaced by a
few Angstroms
De Broglies Hypothesis
Louis de Broglie postulated that the dual
nature of the light must be expanded to
ALL matter
In other words, all material particles possess
wave-like properties, characterized by the
wavelength,
B
, related to the momentum p of
the particle in the same way as for light
p
h
B

de Broglie
wavelength of the
particle
Plancks Constant


Momentum of the
particle
Wave Properties of Particles
Louis de Broglie postulated that because photons have
both wave and particle characteristics, so too all forms of
matter have both properties
For photons:





De Broglie hypothesized that particles of well defined
momentum also have a wavelength, as given above, the
de Broglie wavelength
p
h
Or
h
c
h
c
E
p
h E

,
Frequency of a Particle
In an analogy with photons, de Broglie
postulated that a particle would also have a
frequency associated with it


These equations present the dual nature of
matter
Particle nature, p and E
Wave nature, and ( and k)

f
h
hf E
h
E
f 2
2
De Broglies Hypothesis
De Broglies waves are not EM waves
He called them pilot or material waves

B
depends on the momentum and not on
physical size of the particle
For a non-relativistic free particle:
Momentum is p = mv, here v is the speed of the particle
For free particle total energy, E, is kinetic energy
Em
h
mv
h
p
h
B
2

2 2
2 2
mv
m
p
K E
Complementarity
The principle of complementarity states
that the wave and particle models of either
matter or radiation complement each other
Neither model can be used exclusively to
describe matter or radiation adequately
No measurements can simultaneously
reveal the particle and the wave properties
of matter
The Principle of Complementarity
and the Bohr Atom
How can we understand electron orbits in
hydrogen atom from wave nature of the electron?
Remember: An electron can take only certain
orbits: those for which the angular momentum, L,
takes on discrete values



How does this relate to the electrons de
Broglies wavelength?
n mvr L
The Principle of Complementarity
Only those orbits are allowed,
which can fit an integer
(discrete) number of the electrons
de Broglies wavelength
Thus, one can replace 3
rd
Bohrs
postulate with the postulate
demanding that the allowed orbits
fit an integer number of the
electrons de Broglies wavelength
This is analogous to the standing
wave condition for modes in
musical instruments
B
B
B
B
B
n r
n
h
n
r
h
mv
mv
h
p
h
n mvr L

2
2

B
n r 2
De Broglies Hypothesis predicts
that one should see diffraction
and interference of matter waves
For example we should observe
Electron diffraction
Atom or molecule diffraction

Estimates for De Broglie wavelength
Bullet:
m = 0.1 kg; v = 1000 m/s
B
~ 6.6310
-36
m
Electron at 4.9 V potential:
m = 9.1110
-31
kg;
E~4.9 eV
B
~ 5.510
-10
m = 5.5
Nitrogen Molecule at Room Temperature:
m ~ 4.210
-26
kg;
E = (3/2)k
B
T 0.0375 eV
B
~2.810
-11
m = 0.28
Rubidium (87) atom at 50 nK:

B
~ 1.210
-6
m = 1.2 mm = 1200
mE
h
mv
h
p
h
B
2