The double-slit experiment is a fundamental experiment in quantum physics that demonstrates the wave-particle duality of particles. While the original experiment was conducted with light (photons), similar interference patterns have been observed with other particles, such as electrons, neutrons, and even larger molecules like fullerenes.
In the double-slit experiment, particles are directed at a barrier with two slits. Behind the barrier, a screen captures the pattern formed by the particles that pass through the slits. When particles are sent through the slits individually, they can exhibit interference patterns, similar to what is observed with waves.
This phenomenon is not exclusive to photons; it is a general property of quantum particles. In fact, the interference pattern observed in the double-slit experiment is a result of the wave-like behavior of particles, regardless of their nature. The probability distribution of a quantum particle can exhibit interference, leading to the formation of regions of constructive and destructive interference on the screen.
The specific patterns observed in the double-slit experiment depend on the properties of the particles involved, such as their mass, charge, and wavelength. For example, electrons exhibit interference patterns similar to those of light, but the spacing of the fringes may be different due to their smaller mass and shorter de Broglie wavelength.
The double-slit experiment provides compelling evidence for the wave-particle duality of particles and highlights the fundamental nature of quantum mechanics. It demonstrates that particles can behave both as particles and waves, and the resulting patterns depend on their quantum properties.