Chapter 3. Wave Particle Duality, Superposition, and Non-Locality

Sreetama Das, Chiranjib Mukhopadhyay, Sudipto Singha Roy +3 more

Nikolay Leonidovich Chuprikov

Moamer Hasanovic

This chapter introduces fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, focusing on wave–particle duality, superposition, entanglement, and quantum teleportation, systematically building from classical optics to quantum behavior using algebraic and trigonometric methods. Key arguments include the de Broglie hypothesis, validated by experiments such as Davisson and Germer, and quantum confinement, which results in discrete energy levels analogous to classical wave phenomena. The chapter explores quantum systems through historical experiments and theoretical frameworks, demonstrating wave properties and interference patterns, even for single particles, while introducing Pauli's exclusion principle and the Stern–Gerlach experiment. It concludes by highlighting the impact of observation on quantum systems, preparing students and professionals for further study in quantum technologies without requiring calculus.

Mioara Mugur-Schächter

D. Han, Y. S. Kim, Marilyn E. Noz

Since wavelets form a representation of the Poincare group, it is possible to construct a localized superposition of light waves with different frequencies in a Lorentz-covariant manner. This localized wavelet satisfies a Lorentz-invariant uncertainty relation, and also the Lorentz-invariant Parseval's relation. A quantitative analysis is given for the difference between photons and localized waves. It is then shown that this localized entity corresponds to a relativistic photon with a sharply defined momentum in the non-localization limit. Waves are not particles. It is confirmed that the wave-particle duality is subject to the uncertainty principle.

Jarosław Pykacz