Wave function with a certain wavelength

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the nature of wave functions in relation to photons and their behavior as described by quantum mechanics. It is established that photons do not possess wave functions in the same manner as described by the Schrödinger equation, which applies to non-relativistic massive particles. The conversation highlights the implications of sending out a wave function with a specific wavelength, noting that this leads to infinite uncertainty in position and a corresponding uncertainty in momentum. The conclusion emphasizes that any wave packet emitted will inherently contain multiple wavelengths, contradicting the notion of sending out light of a definite wavelength.

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  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with the Schrödinger equation
  • Knowledge of wave-particle duality
  • Basic concepts of the photoelectric effect
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  • Study the differences between photons and massive particles in quantum mechanics
  • Explore the implications of wave-packet theory in quantum physics
  • Investigate the role of uncertainty principles in quantum mechanics
  • Learn about relativistic quantum mechanics and its equations
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Physicists, quantum mechanics students, and researchers interested in the behavior of light and wave functions in quantum theory.

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I have a number of questions about the wave function -
1. Do photons have wave functions like the one in Schrödinger equation?
2. If they do, when you send out a wave function with a certain wavelength, then because you know the momentum with no uncertainty the uncertainty of the position becomes infinite and you don't know where the photon is. What happens then? For example if you send out that wave to experiment the photoelectric effect, when the light(photon) hits the particle then the particle 'knows' where the photon is and therefore its uncertainty in the position becomes very small, and as a consequence the uncertainty in the momentum becomes very large; does this mean that the light will suddenly have various wavelengths?

My guess for question 2 is that you can't send out a light of definite wavelength.
 
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Any wave packet will contain several wavelengths unless it is infinitely extended. This is true for all waves. However, note that ##\hbar## is very small. You can have a wave with a very small uncertainty in wavelength even if your uncertainty in position is of the order of magnitude you would expect from the photoelectric effect.

Also, photons definitely do not follow the Schrödinger equation. The Schrödinger equation describes a non-relativistic massive particle, which the photon most certainly is not. It is about as far away from it as you can get.
 

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