De Broglie wavelength shift in gravitational fields

In summary, photons are blue-shifted as they accelerate in free-fall towards the earth. When an electron or positron is conceptualized as a wave using de Broglie's equation, their wavelengths are shortened (blue-shifted) as they accelerate towards the earth in free-fall due to gravitational fields. This was demonstrated in an experimental study of neutron wavefunctions in gravity, as discussed in a post by Hossenfelder. Atyy also confirmed that the answer to the original question is yes.
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Photons are blue-shifted as they accelerate in free-fall toward the earth. When an electron or positron is conceptualized as a wave using de Broglie's equation, are the de Broglie wavelengths of the electron or positron shortened (blue-shifted) as they accelerate toward the Earth in free-fall? In other words do gravitational fields effect the quantum de broglie representation of matter-waves?
 
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Hossenfelder wrote a nice post about an experimental demonstration of neutron wavefunctions in gravity: http://backreaction.blogspot.com/2007/06/bouncing-neutrons-in-gravitational.html" .
 
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Atyy didn't quite say so explicitly, but the answer to the OP's question is yes.
 
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atyy said:
Hossenfelder wrote a nice post about an experimental demonstration of neutron wavefunctions in gravity: http://backreaction.blogspot.com/2007/06/bouncing-neutrons-in-gravitational.html" .

Thanks for the reference. I am reading it now and finding it fascinating. It will take time for me to absorb it.
 
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bcrowell said:
Atyy didn't quite say so explicitly, but the answer to the OP's question is yes.

Thanks for the quick answer. I have wondered about this for some time.
 

FAQ: De Broglie wavelength shift in gravitational fields

What is the De Broglie wavelength shift in gravitational fields?

The De Broglie wavelength shift in gravitational fields is a phenomenon that occurs when a particle with a certain wavelength travels through a gravitational field. The particle's wavelength is affected by the curvature of space-time caused by the gravitational field, resulting in a change in its wavelength.

Who discovered the De Broglie wavelength shift in gravitational fields?

The De Broglie wavelength shift in gravitational fields was first proposed by French physicist Louis de Broglie in 1924. He suggested that particles, such as electrons, could exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior, and that this behavior would be affected by gravity.

What is the equation for calculating the De Broglie wavelength shift?

The equation for calculating the De Broglie wavelength shift is λ' = λ(1 + GM/rc²), where λ' is the shifted wavelength, λ is the original wavelength of the particle, G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the object creating the gravitational field, r is the distance between the particle and the object, and c is the speed of light.

Does the De Broglie wavelength shift only occur in strong gravitational fields?

No, the De Broglie wavelength shift can occur in any gravitational field, as long as the particle's wavelength is small enough to be affected by the curvature of space-time. However, the effect is more noticeable in strong gravitational fields, such as those found near black holes.

What implications does the De Broglie wavelength shift have on our understanding of gravity?

The De Broglie wavelength shift supports the idea of wave-particle duality, which suggests that particles can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior. It also provides evidence for the theory of general relativity, which explains how gravity affects the curvature of space-time. Additionally, it has implications for quantum mechanics and the behavior of particles at the quantum level.

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