Dr. Janine Shertzer
College of the Holy Cross
The wave-particle duality is fundamental to quantum mechanics. Light can behave like a particle (photon); matter can behave like a wave. The wavelength associated with a particle is inversely proportional to its momentum p: λ = h / p, where h is Planck’s constant. For cold atoms, the wavelength is large enough that one can design effective diffraction gratings and observe interference of atoms, a purely wave phenomenon.
Optical interference (like Young’s double-slit experiment) can be explained by solving the classical wave equation for electromagnetic radiation. To understand the interference of cold atoms, one must solve the Schrödinger equation. We have carried out the first quantum calculation for atomic diffraction. Our results predict the location and relative intensity of the diffraction peaks as a function of experimental parameters. |