Chapter 405 Three Hundred Years of Light Controversy! I'll end it!
April 25, 1919.
"Nature" published Li Qiwei's paper on the cover.
A mere two-page paper has brought endless shock to the physics community.
Many people are incredible and find it unexpected.
"Why does Professor Bruce want to study the wave-particle duality of light."
"I thought he would directly solve the fourth quantum number."
"I don't understand."< br>
Of course Li Qiwei also has many fans.
“If your pig brain can figure it out, then that’s okay.”
"Once the wave-particle duality of light is proven, it will end hundreds of years of wave-particle debate."
"This achievement is much greater than the fourth quantum number."
“There is no doubt that every paper written by Professor Bruce has far-reaching significance.”
“Maybe this article is related to quantum theory.”
They argued The point is not the value of the paper.
Because no matter from any aspect, this paper is earth-shattering.
The nature of light has been debated for hundreds of years.
Newton, Huygens, Thomas Young.
Physics big guys are obsessed with this and are thinking about it.
Now, it is finally possible to make a final conclusion.
This can be imagined as a shock to the physics community.
Professor Bruce derived the expression of the momentum of light based on the special theory of relativity.
This is a qualitative leap.
Everyone knows that Professor Bruce put forward this statement as early as his undergraduate degree.
But at that time, the wave-particle duality of light was just a concept.
Now, it is a theoretical explanation, which is not the same as before.
Therefore, the focus of discussion is, what is the relationship between the wave-particle duality of light and quantum theory?
Light cannot have a quantum orbit in the Bohr-Lee model.
However, the top physics tycoons all felt an unusual atmosphere from the paper.
Cavendish Laboratory, London, UK.
Rutherford looked at the paper in his hand, thoughtfully.
“Bruce just won the Nobel Prize in Physics for the photoelectric effect.”
“I didn’t expect that he would take advantage of the opportunity to study the wave-particle duality of light.”
“I Trust his terrifying intuition."
"Maybe this is the ultimate secret of light."
His student Chadwick said in surprise:
“This is incredible.”
“I can’t imagine what such a light would look like.”
“It’s like a coin, the side it displays in front of people is both the front and the back.”
“How is this possible?”
"It's simply contradictory."
"The wave-particle duality of light has not been recognized for more than ten years."
"I'm afraid that's the reason."
Chadwick today is no longer the young genius student he was back then.
After graduating from the Ph.D., he has been following his mentor Rutherford and continuing to do research.
From Manchester Polytechnic to the Cavendish Laboratory.
His current research direction is the measurement of the charge of atomic nuclei.
In addition, he will also help Rutherford process some experimental data.
Rutherford's experiment inside the atomic nucleus has made a major breakthrough and is about to shock the world of physics.
Chadwick has a touch of the calmness and wisdom of a physicist.
Even when facing Professor Bruce, he dared to raise his doubts.
This is an essential quality for a scholar, not to be afraid of authority.
Rutherford was very satisfied with his student and planned to promote him to deputy director of the Cavendish Laboratory in a few years.
This way you can take some of the pressure off of him.
At this moment, he shook his head slightly.
Although Chadwick is extremely smart, he is still young after all.
So it is easy to see the surface of many things.
Since Rutherford intended to cultivate this person, he patiently explained:
"No, Chadwick, you have not seen the essence of the matter clearly."
"Mainstream physics circles question Bruce's wave-particle duality of light."
"It's not because we can't imagine the real physical picture."
"It's because there is no exact theoretical model and experimental verification."
"When Bruce proposed this term, even the theory of relativity and quantum theory The theory has not appeared.”
“It’s just a quantum concept.”
“So it’s normal for it not to be taken seriously.”
"But as Bruce's reputation grows, as far as I know, many physicists have begun to study the wave-particle duality of light."
"Bruce told me privately : If light is also a quantum, then the existing quantum theory cannot describe it at all."
"Even finding the fourth quantum number will not help."
Chadwick News. He said, his heart was shocked.
His tutor has been friends with Professor Bruce for more than ten years, and they are considered best friends.
So you can know some unknown details.
And these details are the real key to physics.
Especially Professor Bruce, every word and every thought he says is worth pondering and analyzing.
This is by no means an exaggeration, but a fact that has been verified many times.
“Teacher, doesn’t that mean that the current quantum theory still has huge flaws.”
"Many physicists believe that as long as the fourth quantum number is found, quantum theory can be perfected."
"It seems that things are far from that simple."
Rutherford He chuckled lightly and said with emotion:
"If it were so simple, why would Bruce come to Europe specifically?"
"The purpose of his return is to find inspiration and the most pinnacle. Exchange of ideas and collision.”
"Look, quantum theory still has a long way to go."
Suddenly, his voice changed.
"By the way, how did the experiment I gave you go?"
When Chadwick heard this, his eyes instantly lit up and he looked excited.
"Teacher, the experiment is exactly as you predicted."
"Your method is finally successful."
No wonder Chadwick is so excited, because Rutherford's research results are so shocking.
Even compared with this achievement of Professor Bruce, it is not far behind.
Because both are the latest results on the nature of matter.
Represents another major breakthrough in physics.
Physics is about to be disrupted!
France, University of Paris.
After the war, de Broglie returned to the University of Paris and continued his physics research.
The trip to Borneo and the conversation with Li Qiwei benefited him a lot.
But at the same time, de Broglie also feels that there is still a lot of basic knowledge that needs to be learned.
Therefore, under the introduction of his brother, he became Langzhiwan's doctoral student, studying for a doctorate in theoretical physics.
At this moment, he was holding the latest paper and was extremely shocked.
De Broglie still clearly remembers that three years ago he and Compton asked Professor Bruce about light.
Unexpectedly, three years later, the other party would actually publish such a blockbuster paper.
The special theory of relativity is actually related to the wave-particle duality of light.
At this moment, De Broglie had a dreamlike feeling.
Newton used the reflection of light to prove that light is a particle.
Thomas Young used double-slit diffraction of light to prove that light is a wave.
Now, Professor Bruce uses the theoretical derivation of special relativity to assert that light is both a particle and a wave. It's impeccable!
This is likely to end the three hundred years of the War of Light.
He thought about Compton and Wu Youxun again, and his fighting spirit was successfully aroused.
De Broglie found Lang Zhivin with his paper.
Calmly but firmly said:
"Professor, I have decided that I will take the wave-particle duality of light as my doctoral topic."
When Lang Zhiwan heard this, he was so frightened that he almost lost his grip on the pipe.
He asked incredulously:
"De Broglie, do you know what you are talking about?"
"The wave-particle duality of light is not that It’s easy to research.”
“Otherwise, Professor Bruce wouldn’t have thought of this kind of theoretical proof more than ten years later.”
"This is even more difficult than general relativity."
Of course, Lang Zhiwan is suspected of exaggerating.
Because he knew that during the ten years that Bruce studied general photography, he basically didn’t focus on other issues.
Studying the wave-particle duality of light has only begun in recent years.
However, this does not hinder the difficulty of this subject.
In Langevin's eyes, De Broglie was so much smarter than his brother Maurice that they were simply not the same dimension.
If de Broglie also studied X-rays, he might be able to win a Nobel Prize.
But I didn’t expect that when the opponent came up, it would be hell difficulty. I don’t know what to think.
Lang Zhiwan persuaded with earnest words:
"De Broglie, although you are a nobleman, I will not let you off the hook after you have graduated with a doctorate."
"You have to think carefully."
De Broglie remained unmoved.
As a noble, he has his own pride.
For him, a doctorate degree is completely dispensable.
He just wants to challenge himself and challenge the limits of truth.
"Professor, I have made up my mind."
"I have the ability to bear all the consequences."
Lang Zhiwan: You are noble and great. It's because I, the mentor, have no enterprising spirit.
In the end, Lang Zhiwan agreed to the other party's request.
Because he seemed to see hope in De Broglie.
Since the outbreak of the great physics world, France has fallen behind compared to the UK and Germany.
Had it not been for Marie Curie winning the Double Nobel Prize, this gap might have been even greater.
France has not had any shocking physical results for a long time.
Think back to the days before, Fresnel, Pascal, Coulomb, Ampere, Poisson.
France at that time was terrifyingly powerful.
But after entering the twentieth century, France became a bit sluggish in terms of modern physics.
"Okay, de Broglie, I hope you can make extraordinary achievements."
"Although I can't compare with Professor Bruce."
"But I also have some research on relativity and quantum theory.”
“If you have any questions, you can come to me at any time.”
De Broglie nodded gratefully.
Although he has a special status, as Lang Zhiwan, there is no need to flatter him.
The title of professor is not something that ordinary people can imagine.
This is a purely friendly reminder.
“Thank you for your support, Professor.”
Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
This institute was founded by Bohr when he applied to the school, and was renamed the Bohr Institute in later generations.
Bohr personally served as the director. At this time, he was only 34 years old and an academician of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences. He was young and promising.
At this moment, he was shocked by his tutor's thesis.
“It actually gave a theoretical expression of the wave-particle duality of light.”
"Although it seems very simple, the physical thoughts and physical intuition involved are simply unmatched."
"Is this the strength of the teacher?"
"As time goes by As time went by, the teacher not only did not deteriorate, but became even sharper."
"The importance of this paper is really difficult to estimate."
Yes, Bohr could not evaluate this paper. meaning.
Because he didn't know what impact it would have on the physics community.
But no matter what, once this theory is true.
Then the physics community must provide an explanation for this phenomenon.
“But, what theory?”
“Can quantum theory work?”
"But quantum theory is used to explain the structure of atoms."
At this moment, even with Bohr's extreme cleverness, he could not see any connection or mystery.
However, out of his belief in Li Qiwei, he knew that this paper would definitely show its power in the future.
Now, we just need to wait for experimental verification.
Kronig on the side saw Bohr lost in thought, so he asked softly:
"Professor, are you also confused by Professor Bruce's paper?"
Kronig graduated from Columbia University in the United States.
He came to Bohr's institute to study this time because he was sponsored by the school.
After Hubble’s example, many American students now want to study in Europe.
Although I am not studying for a PhD under a big boss, I can still learn a lot as a visiting scholar.
Kronig was one of them, and he was highly regarded by Bohr.
Seeing that he was the one speaking, Bohr smiled and said:
“Oh, I’m not confused.”
“Strictly speaking, the nature of light is an ancient It’s a physics topic.”
“Just like when Professor Thomson discovered the electron, it ended the millennium-old view that atoms are indivisible.”
"Perhaps Professor Bruce's paper is similar."
"Our current understanding of the world and matter is still too simple."
"The real situation is far more complicated than imagined. "
"Moreover, if light is truly quantum, it should also be included in the framework of quantum theory."
"But obviously, the current quantum theory cannot do this."
< br>
"So, I thought of a point that Professor Bruce said before."
"That is, the existing theory may be just an approximation under a higher theoretical framework."
"Quantum theory Is this also the case? "
"It actually has its own ultimate theoretical form."
Wow!
Bohr's analysis shocked Kronig.
It’s so profound.
"I'm afraid only a quantum giant like Professor Bohr can have this kind of realization."
Kronig felt that he had come to the right place.
He was very interested in quantum theory.
And now, through Bohr's words, he discovered that quantum theory may have a broader world.
There is no more exciting news than this.
At this moment, once Li Qiwei's paper was published, it immediately became the center of the physics community.
This is his influence.
At the same time, many physicists began to gear up.
Because the theory is already there, all that's left is experimentation.
Millikan verified the photoelectric effect.
Eddington demonstrated the bending of starlight.
These experiments made them, who were originally unknown, instantly become well-known physicists.
And now, such an opportunity has come again!
How could everyone not go crazy?
(End of this chapter)