The Young's double slit experiment with excited atoms is a variation of the classic double slit experiment, where instead of using light, excited atoms are used as the source of particles. The experiment demonstrates the wave-particle duality of matter, showing that even particles like atoms can exhibit interference patterns like waves.
The experiment involves a source of excited atoms, a barrier with two slits, and a screen to capture the resulting interference pattern. The excited atoms are sent through the slits and then spread out, creating an interference pattern on the screen. Detectors can be placed on the screen to measure the intensity of the pattern.
This experiment provides evidence for the wave-particle duality of matter. It also demonstrates the concept of superposition, where the excited atoms can exist in multiple states at the same time. The results of the experiment also have practical applications in fields such as quantum computing and cryptography.
The interference pattern becomes more spread out and the peaks become narrower as the distance between the slits increases. This is because the wider the distance between the slits, the more the waves from each slit will overlap, creating a more pronounced interference pattern.
Yes, the experiment has been successfully performed with electrons, protons, and even large molecules like buckyballs. The results have been consistent with the wave-particle duality of matter, showing that all particles can exhibit wave-like behavior under certain conditions.