What Is the Doppler Effect in Matter Waves?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the Doppler effect as it applies to matter waves, particularly in the context of electron waves in an electronic microscope. Participants explore the implications of relative motion on wavelength and velocity, comparing these effects to sound waves and electromagnetic waves.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a formula for the Doppler shift of matter waves, questioning whether to consider phase velocity or group velocity in the context of the shift.
  • Another participant suggests calculating the relative velocity of the particle using group velocity and the observer's velocity, indicating that the formula may differ from classical waves.
  • A participant notes that for low velocities (v<<
  • Discussion shifts to sound waves, with a participant asking which velocity (phase or group) should be used in the Doppler formula for sound in a medium.
  • One participant asserts that for sound, the wavelength should be measured relative to the medium, and frequency calculated using invariant wavelength and phase velocity.
  • Participants mention that the product of phase and group velocities equals c² for electromagnetic waves, but this may not hold in matter where both velocities can be below c.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the application of the Doppler effect to matter waves versus sound waves, and there is no consensus on which velocity should be used in the Doppler formula for sound. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of phase and group velocities in different contexts.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the dependence on definitions of phase and group velocities, and the unresolved nature of how these concepts apply across different types of waves.

teros
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If I have a matter wave (for example, electron waves in a electronic microscope) at a given wavelength λ, and I move with respect (towards) them at speed v, I will measure a Doppler shift in the wave given by:

\frac{1}{{\lambda &#039;}} = \frac{1}{{\lambda &#039;}}\left( {1 + \frac{v}{{v_e }}} \right)

where v_e is the velocity of the electron wave. But the phase velocity? or the group velocity?

I know that v_{ph} v_{gr} = c^2, so the result can be very different.
 
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I think you can calculate the relative velocity of the particle (with the group velocity and your own velocity), and work back to the wavelength and phase velocity afterwards.
The formula might look different - it is not a classical wave.
 
But for v&lt;&lt;&lt;v_e it cannot be much different...
 
Ok, let us suppose that, instead of matter waves, I speak of sound in a medium where phase and group velocities are different. Which one will go in the Doppler formula?
 
For sound, I would measure the wavelength relative to the medium, independent of the observer. To calculate the frequency, I would use that invariant wavelength and velocity addition with the phase velocity.
 
The product equals c*c for electromagnetic waves.
 
Enthalpy said:
The product equals c*c for electromagnetic waves.
In vacuum. In matter, both phase and group velocity can be below c, for example, therefore the product has to be smaller, too.
 

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