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Electromagnetic Waves and Quantum Mechanics

This document provides an overview of topics to be covered in a physics course on electromagnetic waves and quantum mechanics. It will discuss wave-particle duality, the uncertainty principle, quantum formalism including wave functions and operators, and the Schrodinger equation. The document also reviews classical physics concepts like Newton's laws of motion and Maxwell's equations for electromagnetism. It notes some limitations of classical physics like explaining blackbody radiation. Key experiments are summarized, including the double slit experiment showing wave-like interference of particles, de Broglie's hypothesis connecting particles to wavelengths, and Davisson-Germer's confirmation using electron diffraction.

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Rahul Kumar
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61 views

Electromagnetic Waves and Quantum Mechanics

This document provides an overview of topics to be covered in a physics course on electromagnetic waves and quantum mechanics. It will discuss wave-particle duality, the uncertainty principle, quantum formalism including wave functions and operators, and the Schrodinger equation. The document also reviews classical physics concepts like Newton's laws of motion and Maxwell's equations for electromagnetism. It notes some limitations of classical physics like explaining blackbody radiation. Key experiments are summarized, including the double slit experiment showing wave-like interference of particles, de Broglie's hypothesis connecting particles to wavelengths, and Davisson-Germer's confirmation using electron diffraction.

Uploaded by

Rahul Kumar
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHL 100

Electromagnetic Waves and Quantum Mechanics Instructor: Kedar Khare

Quantum Mechanics: Introduction


Topics for discussion Wave-particle duality Uncertainty principle: an introduction Quantum formalism: Wave functions, Operators, Schrdinger equation, Statistical interpretation Superposition principle
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Classical Physics:
Newtons laws describe particle dynamics

d 2r m 2 =F dt
Given initial position/velocity and the forces we can calculate subsequent motion of particles. Statistical techniques are used for large number of particles (e.g. gas laws).
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Classical Physics:
Maxwell equations describe EM phenomena E, B Fields in free space and materials Propagation of waves Radiation or generation of waves All these can be coupled with Newtons laws to describe behavior of charges F = q ( E + v x B ) Maxwell equations are also consistent with relativity
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Classical Physics:
Galileo, Newton, Maxwell, Einstein, many others Explained a large number of phenomena Central to scientific and industrial revolutions Changed human lives more than ever before in a span of few centuries
Still some problems remained (e.g. blackbody spectrum)

Blackbody radiation spectrum

Plank (1900) S. N. Bose (1924) Bose-Einstein statistics, Bosons


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Double slit experiment with bullets


Detector 1 P1 P12

Gun spraying bullets randomly

P2 P12 = P1 + P2
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Double slit experiment with electrons


P12 Detector 1 P1

Electron gun

P2 P12 = P1 + P2
New Journal of Physics, March 2013
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Points to think about


What we thought of as particle shows interference which has always been associated with waves. Interference occurs even when only a single particle is sent through the system at a time. Source to screen When detected wave-like appears like a particle
(we can localize where it was detected)

How can we describe this dual behavior ?


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de Broglie hypothesis (1924)


Analogy with a light: Maxwell equations --- wavelike description Photoelectric effect --- particle description There is a wavelength associated with each particle.
E h = , = h p

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Davisson-Germer experiment (Bell Labs, 1927)

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Davisson-Germer experiment (Bell Labs, 1927)


Diffraction peak seen as per Bragg law

2 d sin = n
d = crystal periodicity (known with X-rays) as per de Broglie relation.

Electron beam

Experimental confirmation of de Broglies idea


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Thomsons experiment on electron diffraction (1927)

(Powdered aluminum target)

2 d sin = n

now produces rings due to randomly oriented atomic layers

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de Broglie wavelength of electron and bullet


Electrons accelerated through potential V
1 qV = m u2 2
p = mu = 2q mV h 2q mV

For V = 1 volt For a bullet

10 9 m 10
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Difficult to observe any interference effects


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