On the Fluctuation of Black-Body Radiation.

X. Bach

Published Jan 1, 1985• 0 citations

Abstract

The origin of the wave-part ic le dual ism of quantum theory can be t raced back to Einstein 's analysis of the fluctuations of b lack-body radia t ion in 1909 (1-3). Based on this invest igat ion EINSTEIlq proposed the in te rpre ta t ion tha t the electromagnetic field in thermal equil ibrium has as well par t ic le as wave propert ies . In his analysis concerning the ideal quantum gas of 1925 he came to the conclusion tha t this dualist ic in te rpre ta t ion applies to the par t ic les of the gas as well (a). Recent ly we have shown tha t the fluctuations of b lack-body radia t ion can be explained from the assumption of s ta t i s t ica l ly dependent indist inguishable part icles (5). Moreover, i t tu rned out tha t the so-called wave contr ibut ions to the var iance are ent i re ly due to the s ta t is t ical dependence of these part icles. F rom this viewpoint Einstein 's dualist ic in te rpre ta t ion is incomprehensible. I t is the aim of this note to explain a weak point in Einstein 's analysis in detai l and to show tha t wave proper t ies emerge in the classical l imi t only. Planck 's formula gives the mean value of the energy densi ty g* (with respect to dco) of b lack-body rad ia t ion :

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