Introducing wave-particle duality with low-cost quantitative experiments on light diffraction

Abstract

We present a quantitative optical low-cost experiment aimed at introducing students to wave-particle duality from a phenomenological point of view. The experiment, focused on light diffraction, clearly shows the intermediate crossover regime which characterize the transition from geometric optics (in which light behaves like a stream of particles) to the Fraunhofer diffraction regime (where the wave aspects are most evident). It can also be considered for introducing students to the uncertainty relations through diffraction of light waves. The experiments do not require expensive materials or specific laboratory instruments and employ the sensors and camera of common mobile devices. The experiments were tested with master students in mathematics and physics, who aim at becoming high school teachers.