Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab

HEISENBERG’S UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE

OBJECTIVE
To calculate the uncertainty in position (slit width) and momentum of photons from the single-slit diffraction pattern.

APPARATUS TO BE USED
Optical rail, Kinematic laser mount, Detector mount with X-translation stage, Cell mount and single slits, Diode laser
with power supply, Detector with output measurement unit.

BASIC THEORY
When light passes through a single slit of width ‘d’, that is, of the order of the wavelength of light ( ), we can observe
a single slit diffraction pattern on a screen placed at a distance D (D >> d) away from the slit. Huygens’s principle tells
us that each part of the slit can be considered as a source of light, and all these waves interfere to produce a diffraction
pattern. The intensity of the light distribution due to the interference is a function of angle of diffraction, θm (m is the
order of the diffraction and in this experiment, we take m =1).

Figure1: Schematic of the single-slit diffraction pattern with a laser beam of initial momentum p and the spread in the
momentum py along the y-direction for the diffracted beam.

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 Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab
We can estimate the slit width, d, from the diffraction condition as:

(1)

THE UNCERTANITY PRINCIPLE

The uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics describes the inherent uncertainties in a particle’s properties, such as
position and momentum, due to the particles’ wave nature. The uncertainty principle states that it is impossible to
calculate a particle’s exact position (y) and momentum (py) along the same direction, simultaneously. Mathematically,
we described this as follows:

(2)

Where, , is the uncertainty in the position, ∆p, is the uncertainties in the momentum, and h is
Planck’s constant ( .
When a monochromatic light (photons) passes through a single slit of width d, we don’t know where the photons
strike in that vertical slit. Hence, we can define an uncertainty in position for the beam is equal to the slit width d. That
is:

(3)
When a laser beam travels to a single slit, it has a definite momentum, p in x - direction, before it gets into the slit.
Once the slit diffracts it, the diffracted photons will have momentum both in the x- and y- directions (See Fig-1). From
the diffraction intensity profile, it is clear that as photons travel through a single slit, they acquire momentum in y -
direction, py. It is because some photons go straight, and others fall at an angle θ 1 from the normal to the screen. And
using trigonometric relations, the uncertainty in the momentum of the diffracted beam can be calculated as:

(4)

From the single slit diffraction equation for first minima (n=1),

(5)

Comparing equations (3) and (5),

Therefore, (6)

From de Broglie relation,

(7)

From equations (6) and (7) for the minimum uncertainty we can write,
(8)

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 Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab

So, by noting the angle between central maximum and first minimum we can get the de Broglie relation, here θ1 being
the angle of first minimum (see Fig-1), therefore,

(9)

from equations (4) and (7),

(10)

Here, a is the distance between the central maximum and first order minimum and D is the distance
between the slit and the detector.
Uncertainty in momentum can be calculated from equation (10) and further, Uncertainty in position, slit
width, can be calculated using equation (8).

PROCEDURE
1. Switch on the Laser power supply and output measurement unit.
2. Adjust the Laser beam so that it falls exactly at the centre of the pinhole photodetector, and the output
measurement unit shows a maximum output (use kinematic knobs with laser mount to adjust the beam).
3. Insert the cell mount between the laser and the detector. Fix it on the rail and insert the single slit cell into the
mount.
4. Remember to align the laser beam so that it falls directly on the slit and the diffracted beam falls on the
detector.
5. Observe the diffraction pattern on the detector.
6. Note the micrometer readings at central maxima and first-order minima and the corresponding output from the
measurement unit.
7. Trace the pattern and find the distance between central maxima and first-order minima.
8. Find the uncertainty of momentum and slit width or position from those values.
9. Repeat the experiment for other slits of different widths and calculate the corresponding change in
momentum.

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 Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab

Figure2: Experimental set-up for the single-slit diffraction pattern

1 Optical Rail, 2 Diode Laser, 3 Kinematic Laser Mount, 4 Power supply for laser, 5 Cell mount with Diffraction cell,
6 Pinhole detector, 7 Output Measurement Unit, 8 Linear translation stage, 9 Slit Box

OBSERVATION TABLE
8
▪ Velocity of light = 3x 10 m / s.
-34
▪ Planck’s constant = 6.626 x 10 Joule - Second.
▪ Wavelength of the laser λ = 650 nm.
▪ Least count (LC) = 0.01 mm
▪ a1- micrometer position reading at Maximum Intensity = MSR1 + CSR1 LC
▪ a2- micrometer position reading at Minimum Intensity = MSR2 + CSR2 LC
▪ a is distance between central maximum and first order minimum

Slit D Micrometre Reading Output

θ1 = tan (a / D) ∆py d (∆y)
-1
No. (mm) (mm) Current (µA)
a
(mm)
At max. At min. Max. Min. (mm)
intensity intensity
(a1)
(a2)
[a1- a2]

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 Vellore Institute of Technology BPHY101P Engineering Physics Lab
CALCULATIONS
3. For each slit, calculate the distance between central maximum and first order minimum with the help of
micrometer reading and output current.
4. Then, calculate the value of ∆py using the equation (10) and slit width using equation (8).
5. Verify the Uncertainty principle from the momentum distribution.

RESULTS
1. Momentum distribution of photons and slit widths are calculated.

INFERENCES/CONCLUSIONS

1…………………………………………….

2…………………………………………….

3…………………………………………….

PRECAUTIONS
8. Avoid directly looking into the laser, as it causes injury via thermal radiation.
9. Take good care while handling the single slits.

QUESTIONS ON RELATED CONCEPTS

1. What is diffraction?
2. What is Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle?
3. How is the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle is verified by single slit diffraction experiment?
4. What will happen to the spread in momentum, if the slit width is further increased?

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