Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

East African Scholars Journal of Engineering and Computer Sciences

Reevaluation of De Broglie’s Wave-Particle Duality Interpretation

Robert J Buenker

Published Feb 3, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The erroneous prediction of the speed of light in dispersive media has been looked upon historically as unequivocal proof that Newton's corpuscular theory is incorrect. Examination of his arguments shows that they were only directly applicable to the momentum of photons, however, leaving open the possibility that the cause of his mistake was the unavailability of a suitable mechanical theory to enable a correct light speed prediction, rather than his use of a particle model. It is shown that Hamilton's canonical equations of motion remove Newton's error quantitatively, and also lead to the most basic formulas of quantum mechanics without reference to any of the pioneering experiments of the late nineteenth century. An alternative formulation of the wave-particle duality principle is then suggested which allows the phenomena of interference and diffraction to be understood in terms of statistical distributions of large populations of photons or other particles.

DOI
10.36349/easjecs.2026.v09i01.001

Related papers

Use of Hamilton's canonical equations to rectify Newton's corpuscular theory of light: A missed opportunity

Robert J. Buenker

The erroneous prediction of the speed of light in dispersive media has been looked upon historically as unequivocal proof that Newton's corpuscular theory is incorrect. Examination of his arguments shows that they were only directly applicable to the momentum of photons, however, leaving open the possibility that the cause of his mistake was the unavailability of a suitable mechanical theory to enable a correct light speed prediction, rather than his use of a particle model. It is shown that Hamilton's canonical equations of motion remove Newton's error quantitatively, and also lead to the most basic formulas of quantum mechanics without reference to any of the pioneering experiments of the late nineteenth century. An alternative formulation of the wave-particle duality principle is then suggested which allows the phenomena of interference and diffraction to be understood in terms of statistical distributions of large populations of photons or other particles.

arXiv:physics/0411110•Nov 10, 2004•1 citation

Newton’s Theory of Light and Wave-Particle Duality

Robert J. Buenker

The long history of the dispute among physicists as to whether matter is composed of particles or waves is reviewed. A turning point came at the dawn of the 20th century in the form of the de Broglie momentum-wavelength and Bohr/Planck energy frequency relations. It was on this basis that Schrödinger developed a quantum mechanical differential equation whose solution came to be known as a wave function. The Born Interpretation of these functions holds that their absolute square constitutes a probability distribution which has been used successfully to make predictions of the properties of the system under discussion. It is pointed out that the phenomenon of light refraction played a key role in the development of both Newton’s corpuscular theory of light and the competing theory of Huygens which looks upon light as consisting exclusively of waves. It is shown that Newton’s failure to predict the decrease in the speed of light as it passes from air into water was not because of his belief in the particle composition of light, but rather because he not did anticipate that the mass of a photon changes upon entering a medium of higher index of refraction n. By assuming that the energy E of light is equal pc/n, where p is the momentum of the photons and c is the speed of light in free space, it is shown that the experimental dependence of the speed the light on its wavelength as it passes through a transparent medium is derived successfully through the use of Hamilton’s Canonical Equations and Newton’s Second Law of Kinetics. It is suggested that the relationship between particles and waves can be understood by noting that the localized properties of matter exhibit themselves in experiments such as the photoelectric effect where attention can be concentrated on the behavior of a single particle. The corresponding wave properties occur when large numbers of particles are observed under exactly similar circumstances, as for example in electron diffraction. ...........

East African Scholars Journal of Engineering and Computer Sciences•May 15, 2022•1 citation

Wave-Particle Duality and Electron Kinetic Energy in Quantum Physics and Nanoelectronics

Baldo Alberto Luigi Dalporto, Sabine Mary, Santiago Gallur Santorum

Wave-particle duality is widely regarded as one of the conceptual pillars of modern quantum theory, providing the framework through which the behavior of microscopic matter can be consistently interpreted. According to this principle, microscopic entities such as electrons, photons, atoms and even complex molecules exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties depending on the experimental configuration used to observe them. This duality is quantitatively formalized through the De Broglie relation, which associates a wavelength with any particle possessing momentum. The present work provides a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the physical and mathematical foundations of wave-particle duality, focusing particularly on the De Broglie wavelength and the kinetic energy of the electron in both non-relativistic and relativistic regimes. The connection between the De Broglie hypothesis and Schrödinger’s equation is discussed in detail, highlighting the role of the kinetic energy operator and the interpretation of matter waves in terms of quantum wave packets. Experimental evidence supporting the wave nature of matter, including electron diffraction experiments and interferometry techniques, is also reviewed. Beyond their conceptual importance, these principles underpin several modern technologies, including electron microscopy, nanoscale semiconductor devices and quantum metrology. The analysis demonstrates that the De Broglie relation provides a unifying framework connecting momentum, wavelength and kinetic energy, thereby forming a fundamental bridge between classical mechanics, quantum theory and modern technological applications.

American Journal of Physics and Applications•Oct 26, 2026•0 citations

Duality of Light and Matter

Z. Ficek

Arguments about particles or waves gave way to a recognized need for both particles and waves in the description of radiation. The confusion over particle versus wave properties was resolved by Louis de Broglie. He postulated that since light has a dual wave–particle nature, matter also has this nature. The idea was to perform a diffraction experiment with electrons. An interference pattern was demonstrated not only with electrons, but also with many kinds of material particles like protons and neutrons. However, any attempt to observe an interference pattern with neutral atoms was found difficult by the fact that atoms carried no charge as electrons do and could not penetrate through condensate matter like neutrons. The de Broglie wavelength of an electron in the smallest orbit turns out to be exactly equal to the circumference of the orbit predicted by Bohr. The interpretation of the interference phenomenon becomes more subtle when the light beams are replaced by individual photons or particles.

•Mar 3, 2017•0 citations

Interference and Diffraction of Quantum Particles Revisited

T Shivalingaswamy, B. A. Kagali

Interference and diffraction phenomena are the basic properties shown by waves. De-Broglie concept of matter waves brought in the extended version of wave properties of material particles. Wave properties of quantum particles are important to understand various phenomena in physics. Matter waves are a core part of quantum theory. Now wave-particle duality is exploited for many applications such as imaging microscopic particles using electron microscopes etc. Here we deduce the interference and diffraction of quantum particles on the basis of the propagation amplitude according to the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics. The intensity distribution due to interference and diffraction of quantum particles are compared with those obtained from the formal methods. The results agree with the traditional approach assuming a deBroglie wave associated with particles.

Mapana Journal of Sciences•Jul 14, 2023•0 citations

The Case Against Quantum Duality

Alfred Landé

(1) The idea that diffraction of matter particles can only be understood in terms of a temporary wave transformation or ‘double manifestation’ is an uneconomical ad hoc hypothesis, shattered already in 1923 by the unitary quantum theory of diffraction of Duane which in 1926 became part of the quantum mechanics, with a statistical interpretation of wave-like appearances. (2) Bohr's re-interpretation of Heisenberg's uncertainty of prediction as an indeterminacy of existence rests on an illegitimate literal translation of a wave result into particle language which is at variance with experience as well as with the statistical interpretation. (3) The fact that one can transform the simple and unitary particle mechanics into a complicated wavelike form is only a weak substitute for genuine dualism — as if one would see dualism in the transformability from the geo- to the heliocentric reference system. (4) The strongest argument against a symmetry of the particle and the wave theory of matter is the explainability of the former in terms of simple postulates of invariance, leaving the wave formalism as a purely ad hoc construction.

Philosophy of Science•Jan 1, 1962•1 citation
The erroneous prediction of the speed of light in dispersive media has been looked upon historically as unequivocal proof that Newton's corpuscular theory is incorrect. Examination of his arguments shows that they were only directly applicable to the momentum of photons, however, leaving open the possibility that the cause of his mistake was the unavailability of a suitable mechanical theory to enable a correct light speed prediction, rather than his use of a particle model. It is shown that Hamilton's canonical equations of motion remove Newton's error quantitatively, and also lead to the most basic formulas of quantum mechanics without reference to any of the pioneering experiments of the late nineteenth century. An alternative formulation of the wave-particle duality principle is then suggested which allows the phenomena of interference and diffraction to be understood in terms of statistical distributions of large populations of photons or other particles.
The erroneous prediction of the speed of light in dispersive media has been looked upon historically as unequivocal proof that Newton's corpuscular theory is incorrect. Examination of his arguments shows that they were only directly applicable to the momentum of photons, however, leaving open the possibility that the cause of his mistake was the unavailability of a suitable mechanical theory to enable a correct light speed prediction, rather than his use of a particle model. It is shown that Hamilton's canonical equations of motion remove Newton's error quantitatively, and also lead to the most basic formulas of quantum mechanics without reference to any of the pioneering experiments of the late nineteenth century. An alternative formulation of the wave-particle duality principle is then suggested which allows the phenomena of interference and diffraction to be understood in terms of statistical distributions of large populations of photons or other particles.
The long history of the dispute among physicists as to whether matter is composed of particles or waves is reviewed. A turning point came at the dawn of the 20th century in the form of the de Broglie momentum-wavelength and Bohr/Planck energy frequency relations. It was on this basis that Schrödinger developed a quantum mechanical differential equation whose solution came to be known as a wave function. The Born Interpretation of these functions holds that their absolute square constitutes a probability distribution which has been used successfully to make predictions of the properties of the system under discussion. It is pointed out that the phenomenon of light refraction played a key role in the development of both Newton’s corpuscular theory of light and the competing theory of Huygens which looks upon light as consisting exclusively of waves. It is shown that Newton’s failure to predict the decrease in the speed of light as it passes from air into water was not because of his belief in the particle composition of light, but rather because he not did anticipate that the mass of a photon changes upon entering a medium of higher index of refraction n. By assuming that the energy E of light is equal pc/n, where p is the momentum of the photons and c is the speed of light in free space, it is shown that the experimental dependence of the speed the light on its wavelength as it passes through a transparent medium is derived successfully through the use of Hamilton’s Canonical Equations and Newton’s Second Law of Kinetics. It is suggested that the relationship between particles and waves can be understood by noting that the localized properties of matter exhibit themselves in experiments such as the photoelectric effect where attention can be concentrated on the behavior of a single particle. The corresponding wave properties occur when large numbers of particles are observed under exactly similar circumstances, as for example in electron diffraction. ...........
Wave-particle duality is widely regarded as one of the conceptual pillars of modern quantum theory, providing the framework through which the behavior of microscopic matter can be consistently interpreted. According to this principle, microscopic entities such as electrons, photons, atoms and even complex molecules exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties depending on the experimental configuration used to observe them. This duality is quantitatively formalized through the De Broglie relation, which associates a wavelength with any particle possessing momentum. The present work provides a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the physical and mathematical foundations of wave-particle duality, focusing particularly on the De Broglie wavelength and the kinetic energy of the electron in both non-relativistic and relativistic regimes. The connection between the De Broglie hypothesis and Schrödinger’s equation is discussed in detail, highlighting the role of the kinetic energy operator and the interpretation of matter waves in terms of quantum wave packets. Experimental evidence supporting the wave nature of matter, including electron diffraction experiments and interferometry techniques, is also reviewed. Beyond their conceptual importance, these principles underpin several modern technologies, including electron microscopy, nanoscale semiconductor devices and quantum metrology. The analysis demonstrates that the De Broglie relation provides a unifying framework connecting momentum, wavelength and kinetic energy, thereby forming a fundamental bridge between classical mechanics, quantum theory and modern technological applications.
Arguments about particles or waves gave way to a recognized need for both particles and waves in the description of radiation. The confusion over particle versus wave properties was resolved by Louis de Broglie. He postulated that since light has a dual wave–particle nature, matter also has this nature. The idea was to perform a diffraction experiment with electrons. An interference pattern was demonstrated not only with electrons, but also with many kinds of material particles like protons and neutrons. However, any attempt to observe an interference pattern with neutral atoms was found difficult by the fact that atoms carried no charge as electrons do and could not penetrate through condensate matter like neutrons. The de Broglie wavelength of an electron in the smallest orbit turns out to be exactly equal to the circumference of the orbit predicted by Bohr. The interpretation of the interference phenomenon becomes more subtle when the light beams are replaced by individual photons or particles.
Interference and diffraction phenomena are the basic properties shown by waves. De-Broglie concept of matter waves brought in the extended version of wave properties of material particles. Wave properties of quantum particles are important to understand various phenomena in physics. Matter waves are a core part of quantum theory. Now wave-particle duality is exploited for many applications such as imaging microscopic particles using electron microscopes etc. Here we deduce the interference and diffraction of quantum particles on the basis of the propagation amplitude according to the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics. The intensity distribution due to interference and diffraction of quantum particles are compared with those obtained from the formal methods. The results agree with the traditional approach assuming a deBroglie wave associated with particles.
(1) The idea that diffraction of matter particles can only be understood in terms of a temporary wave transformation or ‘double manifestation’ is an uneconomical ad hoc hypothesis, shattered already in 1923 by the unitary quantum theory of diffraction of Duane which in 1926 became part of the quantum mechanics, with a statistical interpretation of wave-like appearances. (2) Bohr's re-interpretation of Heisenberg's uncertainty of prediction as an indeterminacy of existence rests on an illegitimate literal translation of a wave result into particle language which is at variance with experience as well as with the statistical interpretation. (3) The fact that one can transform the simple and unitary particle mechanics into a complicated wavelike form is only a weak substitute for genuine dualism — as if one would see dualism in the transformability from the geo- to the heliocentric reference system. (4) The strongest argument against a symmetry of the particle and the wave theory of matter is the explainability of the former in terms of simple postulates of invariance, leaving the wave formalism as a purely ad hoc construction.