How Does Heisenberg's Microscope Observe Electrons Outside the Aperture Angle?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the limitations and flaws of using Heisenberg's gamma-ray microscope to observe electrons. It is mentioned that the model is flawed and not a reliable method for studying quantum scattering. The conversation also touches on the question of how to obtain an accurate electron count using this method.
  • #1
Hippasos
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I have a question about Heisenbegs gamma-ray microscope and observed electrons.

In this example is it so that we observe the electron only in limited angle of aperture θ.

So the remaining electrons which scatter the gamma ray outside the aperture θ are not being observed at all?

What would be the limits of Δx for observed electrons at aperture θ and how do we get the actual total electron count (with that I mean aperture independent count)?

Thanks!
 
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  • #2
Personally, I can't be bothered to attempt an answer to this. "Heisenberg's microscope" is a semi-classical argument, a thought experiment. As a model for scattering it's flawed, and we know it's flawed.

So, trying to answer this would be like trying to explain away a plot-hole in a work of fiction: You already know the real answer, the author screwed up. If you want the real answer to what happens when a gamma ray hits an atom's electron, you study the quantum theory of scattering.
 
  • #3
Okay I stand corrected!

Thank you.
 

1. What is Heisenberg's microscope?

Heisenberg's microscope is a thought experiment proposed by German physicist Werner Heisenberg in 1927 to illustrate the limitations of simultaneous measurement of position and momentum of a particle at the quantum level.

2. How does Heisenberg's microscope work?

In Heisenberg's microscope, a beam of light is shone at a particle to determine its position, but this also affects the momentum of the particle. The more accurately the position is measured, the more uncertainty there is in the momentum, and vice versa.

3. What is the uncertainty principle in relation to Heisenberg's microscope?

The uncertainty principle states that the more precisely one property of a particle is measured, the less precisely the other property can be measured. This is illustrated in Heisenberg's microscope, where the precision of position and momentum measurements are inversely related.

4. What are the implications of Heisenberg's microscope?

Heisenberg's microscope demonstrates that there is a fundamental limit to the precision with which certain pairs of physical properties of a particle can be known simultaneously. This has significant implications for our understanding of quantum mechanics and the behavior of particles at the microscopic level.

5. Has Heisenberg's microscope been proven experimentally?

While the concept of Heisenberg's microscope has been widely accepted in the scientific community, it has not been proven experimentally. This is due to the challenges of measuring quantum properties accurately and simultaneously. However, the uncertainty principle, which Heisenberg's microscope is based on, has been confirmed through various experiments.

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