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Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics

Observation of matter wave beat phenomena in the macrodomain for electrons moving along a magnetic field

Ram K. Varma, A. M. Punithavelu, S. B. Banerjee

Published Jan 25, 2002• 20 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report here the observations that exhibit the existence of matter wave phenomena with wavelength in the macrodomain of a few centimeters, for electrons moving along a magnetic field from an electron gun to a collector plate situated behind a grounded grid. These are in accordance with the predictions of a quantumlike theory for charged particles in the classical macrodomain, given by one of the authors [R. K. Varma, Phys. Rev. A 31, 3951 (1985)] with a recent generalization [R. K. Varma, Phys. Rev. E 64, 036608 (2001)]. The beats correspond to two closely spaced "frequencies" in the system, with the beat frequency given, in accordance with the characteristics of a wave phenomena, by the difference between the two frequencies. The beats ride as a modulation over a discrete energy band structure obtained with only one frequency present. The frequency here corresponds to the distance between the electron gun and the detector plate as it characterizes the variation in the energy band structure as the electron energy is swept. The second "frequency" corresponds to the gun-grid distance. These observations of the beats of matter waves in this experiment, with characteristics in accordance with the wave algorithm, then establish unambiguously the existence of macroscopic matter waves for electrons propagating along a magnetic field.

DOI
10.1103/physreve.65.026503

Related papers

Comment on “Observation of matter wave beat phenomena in the macrodomain for electrons moving along a magnetic field”

C. S. Unnikrishnan

I show that the claim of the observation of matter wave beat phenomena in the classical macrodomain by Varma et al. [Phys. Rev. E 65, 026503 (2002)] is based on a mistaken interpretation of effects arising from multiple focusing of an electron beam in an axial magnetic field. I present the basic physical facts that mimic wavelike phenomena and suggest a classical explanation of modulations reported by Varma et al. Realization that the macroscopic "de Broglie wavelength" used by Varma et al. is the same as the focusing distance of a monoenergetic electron beam in the uniform magnetic field leads to a full classical explanation of all the effects reported by Varma et al. The reported observations are not evidence for any quantumlike phenomenon in the macrodomain, and their results do not indicate any violation of the Lorentz equation of motion.

Physical Review E•Aug 30, 2004•6 citations

Observation of matter wave interference on the macro-scale for charged particles in a magnetic field and the manifestation of Landau levels

Ram K. Varma, S B Banerjee

Matter wave interference effects in the macrodomain for charged particles in a magnetic field are reported for different scatterer positions between the electron gun and collector plate. The results obtained serve to validate and establish the important premises of the formalism that it is the scattering, ( inter alia off the grid wires in this case) which generates the transition amplitude waves resulting in the novel quantum effects observed on the macro-scale associated with the transition amplitude wave. The variation of the position of origin of the grid-generated transition amplitude wave then leads to the variation of interference characteristics accordingly in the plate and grid currents. A Fourier decomposition of the interference peaks reveal also the presence of harmonics which are a manifestation of the Landau level structure. A rich class of quantum phenomena are thus discovered in the simple dynamical system of charged particles in a magnetic field in the ostensibly classical domain of operation, with the transition amplitude wave generated as a consequence of scattering being the new element of quantum description on the macro-scale.

Physica Scripta•Nov 28, 2006•11 citations

Reply to “Comment on ‘Observation of matter wave beat phenomena in the macrodomain for electrons moving along a magnetic field’ ”

Ram K. Varma, A. M. Punithavelu, S. B. Banerjee

The so-designated ``complete classical explanation'' by Unnikrishnan in the preceding Comment, of the macroscopic wave beats reported by us recently, is based on an assumed physical mechanism that has no experimentally established basis. Through this assumed physical process and the focusing properties of an electron beam in a magnetic field, he produces what are essentially ``particle beats'' as against the ``wave beats'' observed by us. Even assuming that such a physical process does exist, the consequences of his mechanism are shown here to be in serious contradiction with our experimental observations, thereby invalidating the claim that his model explains, in purely classical terms, our observations exhibiting the existence of macroscopic matter wave beats in the charged particle motion along a magnetic field.

Physical Review E•Aug 30, 2004•4 citations

On the Claim of the Observation of 'Macro-quantum effects' of Magnetic Vector Potential in the Classical Domain

C. S. Unnikrishnan

I present conclusive arguments to show that a recent claim of observation of quantum-like effects of the magnetic vector potential in the classical macrodomain is spurious. The `one dimensional interference patterns' referred to in the paper by R. K. Varma et al (Phys. Lett. A 303 (2002) 114-120) are not due to any quantum-like wave phenomena. The data reported in the paper are not consistent with the interpretation of interference, or with the topology of the Aharonov-Bohm effect. The assertion that they are evidence of A-B like effect in the classical macrodomain is based on inadequate appreciation of basic physical facts regarding classical motion of electrons in magnetic fields, interference phenomena, and the A-B effect.

arXiv:quant-ph/0408023•Aug 3, 2004•0 citations

Probability amplitude description of the dynamics of charged particles in a magnetic field in the macrodomain

Ram K. Varma

The set of Schrödinger-like equations obtained earlier by the author [Phys. Rev. Lett. 26, 417 (1971), Phys. Rev. A 31, 3951 (1985)] for the charged particle dynamics in an inhomogeneous magnetic field in the macrodomain, are derived here starting from the quantum-mechanic Schrödinger equation in its path-integral representation. This derivation enables a generalization of the equations to include a curl-free vector potential in the Schrödinger-like equations. In view of the amplitude character of the latter equations, which now descends directly from that of the quantum-mechanic Schrödinger equation, they now predict the existence in the macrodomain of all such phenomena, which are characteristic of a probability amplitude theory, e.g., the interference, and the observation of a curl-free vector à la Aharonov-Bohm. A discrete energy structure, predicted as interference maxima and minima has already been observed by the author with his co-workers [Mod. Phys. Lett. A 8, 167 (1993)]. A prediction is now made for the observability of a curl-free vector potential in the macrodomain, in the context of the present problem.

Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics•Aug 29, 2001•15 citations

Curl-free vector potential observation on the macro-scale for charged particles in a magnetic field compared with that on the micro-scale: the Aharonov–Bohm effect

Ram K. Varma

The recently reported curl-free vector potential observation (Varma et al 2012 Eur. Phys. J. D 66 38) in relation to a system of charged particles in a magnetic field points to the existence of a new state of the electron—a quantum modulated state—which arises through a scattering-induced transition across Landau levels. This quantum modulated state has been shown to account for some very unusual effects on the macro-scale, which are distinct from the ones which can be understood in terms of a 'classical electron' and also from the ones which can be understood in terms of a 'quantum electron' on the micro-scale characterized by the Planck quantum. This quantum modulated state has been shown to account for the observation of a static curl-free vector potential on the macro-scale alluded to above, as well as other matter wave manifestations on the macro-scale. The macro-scale curl-free vector potential observation differs fundamentally from the corresponding micro-scale effect—the well-known Aharonov–Bohm effect. These two effects—on the macro-scale and the macro-scale—are compared and contrasted to each other here in their manner of detection of the static curl-free vector potential. Such a comparative study helps gain a deeper understanding of the nature of the quantum modulated state and the macro-scale matter wave it represents.

Physica Scripta•Oct 1, 2012•6 citations
We report here the observations that exhibit the existence of matter wave phenomena with wavelength in the macrodomain of a few centimeters, for electrons moving along a magnetic field from an electron gun to a collector plate situated behind a grounded grid. These are in accordance with the predictions of a quantumlike theory for charged particles in the classical macrodomain, given by one of the authors [R. K. Varma, Phys. Rev. A 31, 3951 (1985)] with a recent generalization [R. K. Varma, Phys. Rev. E 64, 036608 (2001)]. The beats correspond to two closely spaced "frequencies" in the system, with the beat frequency given, in accordance with the characteristics of a wave phenomena, by the difference between the two frequencies. The beats ride as a modulation over a discrete energy band structure obtained with only one frequency present. The frequency here corresponds to the distance between the electron gun and the detector plate as it characterizes the variation in the energy band structure as the electron energy is swept. The second "frequency" corresponds to the gun-grid distance. These observations of the beats of matter waves in this experiment, with characteristics in accordance with the wave algorithm, then establish unambiguously the existence of macroscopic matter waves for electrons propagating along a magnetic field.
I show that the claim of the observation of matter wave beat phenomena in the classical macrodomain by Varma et al. [Phys. Rev. E 65, 026503 (2002)] is based on a mistaken interpretation of effects arising from multiple focusing of an electron beam in an axial magnetic field. I present the basic physical facts that mimic wavelike phenomena and suggest a classical explanation of modulations reported by Varma et al. Realization that the macroscopic "de Broglie wavelength" used by Varma et al. is the same as the focusing distance of a monoenergetic electron beam in the uniform magnetic field leads to a full classical explanation of all the effects reported by Varma et al. The reported observations are not evidence for any quantumlike phenomenon in the macrodomain, and their results do not indicate any violation of the Lorentz equation of motion.
Matter wave interference effects in the macrodomain for charged particles in a magnetic field are reported for different scatterer positions between the electron gun and collector plate. The results obtained serve to validate and establish the important premises of the formalism that it is the scattering, ( inter alia off the grid wires in this case) which generates the transition amplitude waves resulting in the novel quantum effects observed on the macro-scale associated with the transition amplitude wave. The variation of the position of origin of the grid-generated transition amplitude wave then leads to the variation of interference characteristics accordingly in the plate and grid currents. A Fourier decomposition of the interference peaks reveal also the presence of harmonics which are a manifestation of the Landau level structure. A rich class of quantum phenomena are thus discovered in the simple dynamical system of charged particles in a magnetic field in the ostensibly classical domain of operation, with the transition amplitude wave generated as a consequence of scattering being the new element of quantum description on the macro-scale.
The so-designated ``complete classical explanation'' by Unnikrishnan in the preceding Comment, of the macroscopic wave beats reported by us recently, is based on an assumed physical mechanism that has no experimentally established basis. Through this assumed physical process and the focusing properties of an electron beam in a magnetic field, he produces what are essentially ``particle beats'' as against the ``wave beats'' observed by us. Even assuming that such a physical process does exist, the consequences of his mechanism are shown here to be in serious contradiction with our experimental observations, thereby invalidating the claim that his model explains, in purely classical terms, our observations exhibiting the existence of macroscopic matter wave beats in the charged particle motion along a magnetic field.
I present conclusive arguments to show that a recent claim of observation of quantum-like effects of the magnetic vector potential in the classical macrodomain is spurious. The `one dimensional interference patterns' referred to in the paper by R. K. Varma et al (Phys. Lett. A 303 (2002) 114-120) are not due to any quantum-like wave phenomena. The data reported in the paper are not consistent with the interpretation of interference, or with the topology of the Aharonov-Bohm effect. The assertion that they are evidence of A-B like effect in the classical macrodomain is based on inadequate appreciation of basic physical facts regarding classical motion of electrons in magnetic fields, interference phenomena, and the A-B effect.
The set of Schrödinger-like equations obtained earlier by the author [Phys. Rev. Lett. 26, 417 (1971), Phys. Rev. A 31, 3951 (1985)] for the charged particle dynamics in an inhomogeneous magnetic field in the macrodomain, are derived here starting from the quantum-mechanic Schrödinger equation in its path-integral representation. This derivation enables a generalization of the equations to include a curl-free vector potential in the Schrödinger-like equations. In view of the amplitude character of the latter equations, which now descends directly from that of the quantum-mechanic Schrödinger equation, they now predict the existence in the macrodomain of all such phenomena, which are characteristic of a probability amplitude theory, e.g., the interference, and the observation of a curl-free vector à la Aharonov-Bohm. A discrete energy structure, predicted as interference maxima and minima has already been observed by the author with his co-workers [Mod. Phys. Lett. A 8, 167 (1993)]. A prediction is now made for the observability of a curl-free vector potential in the macrodomain, in the context of the present problem.
The recently reported curl-free vector potential observation (Varma et al 2012 Eur. Phys. J. D 66 38) in relation to a system of charged particles in a magnetic field points to the existence of a new state of the electron—a quantum modulated state—which arises through a scattering-induced transition across Landau levels. This quantum modulated state has been shown to account for some very unusual effects on the macro-scale, which are distinct from the ones which can be understood in terms of a 'classical electron' and also from the ones which can be understood in terms of a 'quantum electron' on the micro-scale characterized by the Planck quantum. This quantum modulated state has been shown to account for the observation of a static curl-free vector potential on the macro-scale alluded to above, as well as other matter wave manifestations on the macro-scale. The macro-scale curl-free vector potential observation differs fundamentally from the corresponding micro-scale effect—the well-known Aharonov–Bohm effect. These two effects—on the macro-scale and the macro-scale—are compared and contrasted to each other here in their manner of detection of the static curl-free vector potential. Such a comparative study helps gain a deeper understanding of the nature of the quantum modulated state and the macro-scale matter wave it represents.