Properties of matter waves (de Broglie waves):
- Wavelength \(\lambda=\dfrac{h}{p}=\dfrac{h}{mv}\): lighter particles have larger wavelengths, and so do slower ones.
- If \(v=0\), \(\lambda=\infty\): a wave is associated only with a moving particle.
- Matter waves are not electromagnetic waves. They are produced by any moving particle, charged or uncharged.
- Their phase velocity \(v_p=c^2/v\) is greater than the speed of light. It has no physical meaning: the particle travels with the group velocity \(v_g=v\).
- The wave amplitude \(\psi\) is not directly measurable. \(|\psi|^2\) gives the probability of finding the particle (probability waves).
- They show diffraction and interference, as in the Davisson–Germer experiment and electron diffraction, which is used in electron microscopes.
- For a particle accelerated through potential \(V\): \(\lambda=\dfrac{h}{\sqrt{2meV}}\); for an electron \(\lambda=\dfrac{12.27}{\sqrt V}\) Å.