Double Slit Wave Interference With Single Electrons

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the observation of wave-like interference patterns in the double slit experiment with single electrons, highlighting the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. A user inquires about a spiral equation inspired by the Larmor precession of an electron's magnetic moment and its potential relationship to the interference patterns observed in the double slit experiment. The consensus is that there is no connection between the spiral pattern and the interference pattern produced by single electrons in the double slit experiment. The definitive answer provided clarifies that the two phenomena are unrelated.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles, specifically wave-particle duality.
  • Familiarity with the double slit experiment and its implications in physics.
  • Knowledge of Larmor precession and its significance in electron behavior in magnetic fields.
  • Basic grasp of mathematical modeling related to wave functions and interference patterns.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of quantum mechanics, focusing on wave-particle duality.
  • Study the double slit experiment in detail, including variations with single particles.
  • Explore Larmor precession and its effects on electron magnetic moments.
  • Investigate mathematical modeling techniques for wave functions and interference phenomena.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the foundational experiments that illustrate wave-particle duality and electron behavior in magnetic fields.

metastable
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I have heard that wavelike interference patterns are observed in the double slit experiment even when electrons are fired one by one.

single-electron-image.jpg

https://physicsworld.com/a/the-double-slit-experiment/

My knowledge on the experimental setup is very basic. The reason I am posting here is out of curiosity relating to an equation I helped formulate describing a spiral superimposed on a sphere, which was "inspired" by the larmor precession of an electron magnetic moment in a changing magnetic field. I am not claiming the spiral equation in any way represents an actual electron. Still, I observe the spiral itself when viewed from many different angles resembles a wave interference pattern. My question is does the wave-interference-like-pattern visible in the spiral have any relationship to the wave-interference-like-pattern visible in the one-by-one-electron double slit wave interference experiment?

In this video of single electron precession, the electron magnetic moment "appears" to trace a spiral...


This animation shows an increasingly tight spiral arc from the north to the south pole of the surface of a sphere:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/defining-vectors.972018/
sphere-spiral-n-orbits-3-gif.gif


https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/defining-vectors.972018/

^Notice as the number of "turns" increases, a wavelike interference pattern appears to develop...
 
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metastable said:
My question is does the wave-interference-like-pattern visible in the spiral have any relationship to the wave-interference-like-pattern visible in the one-by-one-electron double slit wave interference experiment?
Answer: No, none at all.
 
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