- #1
cubozoan
- 8
- 1
single electron diffraction through single slit
Hi Guys
Wondered if you could help me.
Say a high energy electron (low wavelength?) is fired through an arrangement of atoms (single slit). How does a single electron hit a detector / screen according to a diffraction pattern? I understand that one electron will just flash on the screen but if you took notice of positions from other single electrons you would see the probability distribution.
I understand a beam of electrons will produce a diffraction pattern due to their wavefunction interfering constructively and destructively. But what about single electron?
How does it 'interfere' with itself?
I would like a simple explanation as it is for a-level (16 - 17 year old student).
I guess there is just something simple i am missing. Hope I have given enough information.
Kindest regards
Andy
Hi Guys
Wondered if you could help me.
Say a high energy electron (low wavelength?) is fired through an arrangement of atoms (single slit). How does a single electron hit a detector / screen according to a diffraction pattern? I understand that one electron will just flash on the screen but if you took notice of positions from other single electrons you would see the probability distribution.
I understand a beam of electrons will produce a diffraction pattern due to their wavefunction interfering constructively and destructively. But what about single electron?
How does it 'interfere' with itself?
I would like a simple explanation as it is for a-level (16 - 17 year old student).
I guess there is just something simple i am missing. Hope I have given enough information.
Kindest regards
Andy