To address the theoretical gap in traditional de Broglie wave theory that fails to clarify the physical excitation mechanism of matter waves, this paper proposes the de Broglie Wave-Virtual Photon Exchange Synchronization Law and reveals the intrinsic physical origin of de Broglie matter waves from the perspective of virtual photon exchange. Based on well-recognized physical formulas including the de Broglie energy-frequency relation, the relativistic energy-momentum relation, and the core equations of quantum electrodynamics (QED), this paper carries out rigorous quantitative derivation and obtains the de Broglie Wave-Virtual Photon Exchange Synchronization Formula , which describes the relation between virtual photon exchange and the evolution of de Broglie waves. Physical analysis of the formula shows that the de Broglie matter wave is not an intrinsic and spontaneous property of particles, but a dynamic wave effect directly excited by momentum exchange between virtual photons and particles in electromagnetic interaction. The frequency, wavelength, and wave properties of the de Broglie wave are uniquely determined by the intensity and frequency of virtual photon exchange, and the two sets of physical quantities maintain strict synchronization during physical evolution. In addition, this paper clarifies the velocity-dependent modulation effect of virtual photon exchange on de Broglie waves: the modulation effect is weak at low velocities, becomes significant at high velocities, and the key wave parameters (frequency, momentum correlation) of de Broglie waves and virtual photons achieve quantitative unification as the particle velocity approaches the speed of light. This theory establishes a rigorous, quantitative, and unified relation between the virtual photon exchange mechanism and the origin of de Broglie waves, improves the physical interpretation of matter wave origin, and provides a new theoretical perspective for the study of wave-particle duality and electromagnetic interaction of microscopic particles.
Abstract Properties of de Broglie waves and their differences from any other waves, for example, electromagnetic, are discussed. Their little-known properties are given: 1) the propagation velocity is greater than the speed of light V > c ; 2) dispersion even in vacuum (waves of different frequencies propagate at different speeds, which results in the spreading of any wave packets associated with the particles); 3) the connection of the de Broglie wave with another physical wave moving with a speed v less than the speed of light, but so always v · V = c 2, and for the photons v = V = c. According to later views of de Broglie, this second wave is not the group wave. Possible mechanisms of generating the de Broglie waves based on spherical and cylindrical hollow quantum resonators, which can be specially created in matter using specific nanostructures are considered. Perhaps their nature itself realizes them for any micro-objects, regardless of their electrical, magnetic and gravitational properties. That is, this phenomenon is universal. Applications and realizations of this idea are discussed in the part II of our article.
Zitterbewegung and de Broglie matter waves are both phenomena associated with the quantum-mechanical properties of the electron, but they are usually discussed in different contexts. Zitterbewegung is understood as a rapid oscillatory motion appearing in the Dirac equation, whereas the de Broglie matter wave is understood as a wave corresponding to the linear momentum of a particle. Some previous studies have attempted to derive the de Broglie matter wave from an internal clock of the electron or from Zitterbewegung. In the present study, however, no causal relation in which the matter wave is generated by Zitterbewegung is assumed. Instead, the two are regarded as different geometrical representations of a common phase degree of freedom. Specifically, Zitterbewegung is interpreted as a phenomenon corresponding to an internal rotational degree of freedom, while the de Broglie matter wave is interpreted as spatial phase progression associated with linear momentum. and are interpreted, respectively, as the rates of phase progression in the temporal and spatial directions. Furthermore, using the relation introduced in previous work, and reinterpreting it as the ratio of the internal rotational velocity to the external propagation velocity, this study shows the possibility of describing internal rotation, translational motion, matter waves, and the fine-structure constant within a common phase geometry.