The Solvay Councils, de Broglie's brothers, and the development of wave-particle duality

TL;DR

This paper explores the historical role of the Solvay Councils and the de Broglie brothers in shaping the early development of wave-particle duality and the first quantum revolution.

Contribution

It analyzes the influence of the Solvay Conferences and the de Broglie brothers' collaboration on the emergence of quantum theory.

Findings

The Solvay Councils were pivotal in advancing quantum ideas.

Louis de Broglie's wave-particle duality extended to multiple particles.

The link between the de Broglie brothers and the conferences was crucial for quantum development.

Abstract

The meeting patronized by Ernest Solvay in 1911, the first Solvay Council, marked the beginning of what can be called the first quantum revolution. Maurice de Broglie was one of the secretaries of the Council. He participated in the two following conferences and contributed to the third Council with his work. Louis de Broglie collaborated and discussed with his elder brother. Departing from Maurice's achievements, Louis developed his approach to the wave-particle duality of light and extended it to other particles. He presented it at the fifth meeting in 1927. This paper investigates the connection between the two scientists and the Solvay Councils, arguing that this link was essential in developing the first quantum revolution, a process that ended, according to Werner Heisenberg, at the fifth Solvay Physics Council.