1924 – wave particle duality
Louis de Broglie’s doctoral thesis in 1924, “Research on Quantum Theory” proposed a theory of electron waves that include the properties of both waves and particles. The wave-like component of the electron was confirmed by experiment in 1927 and de Broglie’s theory became accepted and generally known as wave-particle duality.
PRECURSOR:
1630 – “Treatise on Light” (wave theory) – Descartes
1675 – “Hypothesis of Light” (particle theory + ether) Newton
1678 – “Treatise on Light” (wave theory) – Huygens
1801 – double slit experiment – Young
1873 – electromagnetic waves – Maxwell
1897 – electron discovered – JJ Thomson
1901 – photoelectric effect – Tesla
1901 – black body radiation – Plank’s law
1905 – photoelectric effect – Einstein
1909 – oil drop experiment – Millikan and Fletcher
1913 – quantum theory
CONCURRENT:
1925 – matrix mechanics – Heisenberg
1926 – wave mechanics
1927 – pilot wave theory – de Broglie
SUBSEQUENT:
1935 – EPR paradox
1952 – hidden variable theory – Bohm
1957 – many worlds – Everett
1964 – Bell’s Theorem
2000 – “Collective Electrodynamics” (electron waves) – Mead
SEE ALSO:
1892 – de Broglie (bio)
Timeline of the Atom
Feynman on Wave Particle Duality (QED Lecture in New Zealand)
