Quantum Mechanics 11 - De Broglie Waves Are Complex
APA
Epp, R. (2008). Quantum Mechanics 11 - De Broglie Waves Are Complex. Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/08080086
MLA
Epp, Richard. Quantum Mechanics 11 - De Broglie Waves Are Complex. Perimeter Institute, Aug. 16, 2008, https://pirsa.org/08080086
BibTex
@misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:08080086,
doi = {},
url = {https://pirsa.org/08080086},
author = {Epp, Richard},
keywords = {},
language = {en},
title = {Quantum Mechanics 11 - De Broglie Waves Are Complex},
publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
year = {2008},
month = {aug},
note = {PIRSA:08080086 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
}
University of Waterloo
Talk number
PIRSA:08080086
Collection
Abstract
The de Broglie waves we have been using thus far were assumed to be real functions; we discuss why this is wrong and how to fix the problem.
Learning Outcomes:
• Understanding why there is a serious flaw with using real de Broglie waves, and how using a complex wave (one with both a real and an imaginary part) solves the problem.
• Understanding how the de Broglie wave corresponding to a free particle is like a moving corkscrew, with a magnitude that is uniform across space and constant in time.
• When right- and left-travelling de Broglie waves (“corkscrews”) are added, as happens for a particle in a box, we get a complex standing wave whose magnitude is constant in time.
Learning Outcomes:
• Understanding why there is a serious flaw with using real de Broglie waves, and how using a complex wave (one with both a real and an imaginary part) solves the problem.
• Understanding how the de Broglie wave corresponding to a free particle is like a moving corkscrew, with a magnitude that is uniform across space and constant in time.
• When right- and left-travelling de Broglie waves (“corkscrews”) are added, as happens for a particle in a box, we get a complex standing wave whose magnitude is constant in time.