J. Mod. Phys., 2010, 1, 90-92
doi: 10.4236/jmp.2010.110013 Published Online April 2010 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/jmp)
The Double-Slit Experiment and Particle-Wave Duality:
Toward a Novel Quantu m I nter pretation
Itzhak Orion1, Michael Laitman2
1Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
2Ashlag Research Institute, Ramat-Gan, Israel
Received March 7, 2010; revised March 29, 2010; accepted April 12, 2010
Abstract
The double-slit experiment demonstrates the quantum physics particle-wave duality problem. Over the last
decades many interpretations were introduced to the quantum theory perception problem. In most cases there
was use of unclear terms, or obscure processes in these interpretations, such as particle splitting. In this paper
we propose a novel concept to explain the experiment based on two postulates: The Equivalence of Form
(EoF), and the particles connection to other particles, effectively functioning as a group. These two condi-
tions are necessary to maintain wave qualities in the collective relations, and therefore cannot exist in a sin-
gle particle. De Broglie introduced the mathematical relation of particle to wave; however, he did not specify
the conditions for that. The proposed interpretation is a new way of looking at particles as a united group, the
Kevutsa, which has a higher order level of matter. A series of identical particles maintain additional qualities
to show a large united, correlated motion that we observe as waves transport through systems.
Keywords: Particle-Wave Duality; Interference; Quantum Theory; Electrons Diffraction
1. Introduction
1.1. The Huygens-Fresnel principle
Wave propagation can be well explained by the Huy-
gens-Fresnel principle, as a whole space filled with a
plane wave (at distance for example) advancing into a
certain slit. The space is governed by the wave in a tight
causality since a wave phenomenon can be described
only if it is occupying a group of points or a geometrical
place. According to this principle, each point along the
wave-front can act as a source of secondary waves.
The Huygens-Fresnel principle is the very method to
explain the formation of wave diffraction or interference
behind single or double slits.
1.2. Quantum Interpretations
The problematic view of the quantum reality compared
to the observed macroscopic reality lays on three princi-
ples:
1) The quantization of electron energy or levels in the
atomic structure.
2) The particle-wave duality.
3) The Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
Although each of these principles is observed, quan-
tum reality is still considered strange, and the interpreta-
tions usually define unique terminologies, not in use in
other fields of physics. In this paper, we introduce a new
interpretation for the main experiment that impresses the
particle-wave duality; the double slit electron interfer-
ence experiment.
The particle-wave duality was first introduced b y L. d e
Broglie: A particle has a wavelength or a frequency due
to its momentum (p) or its energy (E), respectively.
h
p


;
E
fh  (1)
where, h is the Planck’s constant.
De Broglie wave’s expression was proved in obser-
vations of a wave’s formation, such as diffraction of
particles.
Since the late 1920s, many interpretations of the quan-
tum reality have been suggested, the most famous among
them is The Copenhagen interpretation [1] introduced
by Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg. The Copenhagen
interpretation is relaying on the Max Born ex planation of
the wave functions having an abstract mathematical
meaning, enabling us to reveal some statistical quantities

I. ORION ET AL. 91
regarding the particles and their states. In the Copenha-
gen interpretation, as the “standard” quantum methodol-
ogy, the particle has v arious probabilities to be measured
in different states, and eventually the measurement is
randomly obtain ed. This point of view opened the possi-
bility of freedom since it ho lds the meaning of ‘unknown
intermediate states’ which are all real until a measure-
ment “chooses” one of these states to stay real.
Several quantum interpretations proposed that the ob-
server is involved in the experimental results in case of
quantum systems: Consciousness causes collapse [2],
Participatory Anthropic Principle (PAP) [3], and the
Many minds interpretation [4]. In this reality there is no
way to separate between the experiment and the observer,
which gives an air of “You see what you decide to see”
to the whole physical reality. Therefore, there is no
physical reality but a psychological reality (or we are
asked to stop ‘doing physics’ from this point forth).
This paper aims to propose a new quantum interpreta-
tion by means of a new approach to look at electrons. In
the following explanations, time is to be interpreted in
terms of a series of changes in a given system, similar to
a stationary state where there is no need to assume
time-dependent variables.
2. Electron Double Slits Experiments
The first electron diffraction phenomenon was observed
in an experiment performed by Davisson and Germer on
nickel crystals in 1927 [5]. Slits system for the electron
double slits experiment was develop ed later, and Jönsson
published his experimental results on 1961 in Zeitschrift
für Physik [161, 454 (1961)] (translation was published
in 1974 in AJP [6]). R. P. Crease published this experi-
ment under the title “The most beautiful experiment” in
Physics World 2002 (Sep. 1) [7]. These physical experi-
ments, which were repeated after the technology im-
provements show how interesting phenomenon is the
double slits experiment.
2.1. “Gedanken Experiment”
In quantum physics textbooks, electron beams are de-
scribed as though they are running in a “Gedanken Ex-
periment”. The best description of that appears in Rich-
ard P. Feynman’s, The Feynman Lectures on Physics –
Volume 3 Quantum Mechanics, (Chapter 1) [8]. The de-
scription starts with a double-slit wall and an electron
gun shooting electro ns toward the wall. Behind that wall
is a screen that shows the inten sity at each point. Instead
of a typical distribution of balls on the screen behind, an
interference pattern appeared on the screen, similar to
waves interference. Analyzing the electrons making this
pattern in a “Gedanken Experiment” is done by checking
through which slit each electron traveled, assuming that
an electron can only travel through one slit at a time.
However, if one keeps track by a flashlight where
through each electron go es, the interferen ce pattern is not
observed anymore. Instead, a simple distribution similar
to the case of the balls appears. Shooting electrons one at
a time or as a whole fluency does not have any impact on
the interference pattern.
The apparent problem of destroying the interference
pattern by viewing the electrons through slit that they
pass is explained by either of the followings:
1) The Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
2) ‘Hidden’ variables – inner properties of e lectron.
Einstein suspected that quantum theory is incomplete,
which means that there had to be ‘hidden’ variables in
quantum theory. The EPR (Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen)
experiment was carried out in 1937 in order to inspect if
quantum theory is a complete physical theory or not [9].
In contrast, John Bell, in his 1964 paper [10], very clear-
ly showed that quantum mechanics and Einstein’s as-
sumptions lead to different results; hence the ‘hidden’
variables assumption was ne glected.
The special assumptions of the Copenhagen interpre-
tation contained the following expressions:
• Single electron interferes with itself;
• Single electron goes through both slits;
• Superposition of possib ilities with each other.
• The observer made the wave functio n c oll apse.
Physics, therefore, limited itself to computing prob-
abilities, and omitted the ability to give common-sense
explanations and a natural understanding of the nature of
electrons.
3. The Group (Kevutsa) Interpretation
Group of electrons and their act as a whole group is the
interpretation proposed in this paper. As in the case of a
stationary system, a series of actions of electrons of the
same group are not separate by a time interval, due to the
system keeping its unity connection. The electrons sys-
tem can assumed to be united, due to the Equivalence of
Form (EoF) of elementary particles in the group. It is
known that the electrons are completely identical in the
double slits experiments, even th eir en ergy must be equ al
in order to produce a fair interference pattern on the
screen. The identity of electrons is so high that it was
noted by R. Feyman’s Nobel lecture in 1965 as “there is
a single electron needed in order to describe the whole
universe, since it can propagate through space and time
in such a way as to appear in many places simultane-
ously”.
In macroscopic subjects, such as marbles or bullets,
the Equivalence of Form (EoF) condition is not satisfied ,
and therefore they cannot act as a group. These bullets
are always different from one another. The bullets are
not having EoF among their bundle, and therefore will

I. ORION ET AL. 92
not possess the Kevutsa (group) properties.
The Kevutsa interpretation introduces here a new
property or properties that must be held by a complete
group of particles, connected by EoF, to perform wave
actions. The group of particles must be considered a
united system that has all the variables at the same time
to make a connected motion like a wave-form of light.
The wave quality of the connected group leads it to obey
the Huygens-Fresnel principle, which belongs only to
waves. In the Kevutsa interpretation there are no ‘hid-
den’ variables in each electron of the experiment. Instead,
the connection between electrons gives more degrees of
freedom by which additional variables can be related.
The mathematical meaning of the connection between
electrons can be illustrated if one defines three dimen-
sional coordinates as the state values of a separated elec-
tron defined in a 3 electrons system:
a1(x1,y1,z1); a2(x2,y2,z2); a3(x3,y3,z3) (2)
However adjoined 3 electrons will be defined by:
a1((x3-x1),(y3-y1),(z3-z1),(x2-x1),(y2-y1),(z2-z1));
a2((x1-x2),(y1-y2),(z1-z2),(x3-x2),(y3-y2),(z3-z2));
a3((x1-x3),(y1-y3),(z1-z3),(x2-x3),(y2-y3),(z2-z3)). (3)
Therefore, the grouping of electrons highly increases
the numbers of variables, and each state can hold enough
information needed to satisfy the ‘hidden’ variables pro b-
lem. The ‘hidden variables’ in Einstein’s assumption
were located in each single particle, while here these
variables can be occupied in the connection of group of
particles.
Measuring each separate electron track using a flash-
light is actually an act of separation of electrons out of
their united group. A single electron aims to absorb a
photon for itself alone, differing it from the group, leads
to a lack of the united group description.
The Kevutsa group interpretation point-of-view is dif-
ferent from the Copenhagen interpretation that always
strives to predict a single electron destiny, instead of
looking at the whole group of non-separated particle
system and their results.
De Broglie introduced the mathematical relation be-
tween particle properties and its wave properties. How-
ever, he did not introduce the conditions by which parti-
cles act as a wave. We recognize the EoF principle as a
condition for wave formation of particles.
4. Conclusions
The Kevutsa interpretation is a new way of looking at
particles as a whole, united group, which has a higher
level of order of matter. A series of identical particles
(with EoF) have more qualities to show a large united
(even infinite) correlated motion that we observe as
waves transport through systems.
5. References
[1] W. Heisenberg, “Physics and Philosophy: The Revolution
in Modern Science,” Goerge Allen & Unwin, London,
1958.
[2] D. Albert, “Quantum Mechanics and Experience,”
Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 1994, pp. 80-111.
[3] J. D. Barrow and F. J. T ipl e r, “The Ant h ro pic C osmo lo gi -
cal Principle,” Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1986.
[4] H. Everett, “Relative state formulation of quantum
mechanics,” Reviews of Modern Physics, Vol. 29, 1957,
pp. 454-462.
[5] C. Davisson and L. H. Germer, “Reflection of Electrons
by a Crystal of Nickel,” Nature, Vol. 119, 1927, pp.
558-560.
[6] C. Jönsson, “Electron Diffraction at Multiple Slits,”
American Journal of Physics, Vol. 4, 1974, pp. 4-11.
[7] R. P. Crease, “The Most Beautiful Experiment,” Physics
World, September 1 2002.
[8] R. P. Feynman, “The Feynman Lectures on Physics,”
Addison-Wesley, Vol. 3, 1965, pp. 1-8.
[9] A. Einstein, B. Podolsky and N. Rosen, “Can Quantum-
Mechanical Description of Physical Reality be Consid-
ered Complete?” Physical Review, Vol. 47, No. 10, 1935,
pp. 777-780.
[10] J. S. Bell, “On the Einstein-Poldolsky-Rosen Paradox,”
Physics, Vol. 1, 1964, p. 195.