Quantitative Wave-Particle Duality

TL;DR

This paper discusses a quantitative approach to wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics, presenting a simple derivation of a duality relation that enhances understanding of quantum complementarity.

Contribution

It introduces a straightforward derivation of a duality relation for wave and particle measures, making the concept more accessible to students.

Findings

Derivation of a duality relation between wave and particle measures.

Clarification of wave-particle duality as a quantitative, not just qualitative, concept.

Enhanced understanding of quantum complementarity for educational purposes.

Abstract

The complementary wave and particle character of quantum objects (or quantons) was pointed out by Niels Bohr. This wave-particle duality, in the context of the two-slit experiment, is now described not just as two extreme cases of wave and particle characteristics, but in terms of quantitative measures of these natures. These measures of wave and particle aspects are known to follow a duality relation. A very simple and intuitive derivation of a closely related duality relation is presented, which should be understandable to the introductory student.