Uncertainity in Photon Position (Quantum Physics)
The wavelength of a photon is measured with an uncertainty of 1 ppm (that is $\Delta \lambda / \lambda =10^{-6}$). What is the uncertainty in the position of this photon if it is
a) a visible photon with $\lambda = 500 nm$
b) an X ray photon with $\lambda =0.1 nm$
c) a $\gamma$ photon with $\lambda =1 fm$
The Heisenberg principle for position and momentum is
$\Delta(x) = \hbar/\Delta(p)$
or equivalent
$\lambda*p = h$
By writing the uncertainties we have
$\Delta(\lambda*p) = \Delta(h)$
Since $h$ is a constant $\Delta(h) =0$ so that
$\lambda*\Delta(p) +\Delta(\lambda)*p =0$
Hence
$\Delta(p) =-p*\frac{\Delta(\lambda)}{\lambda} =-\frac {h}{\lambda}*\frac{\Delta(\lambda)}{\lambda} =-\frac{h*\Delta \lambda }{\lambda ^{2}}$
Back into the expression of $\Delta(x)$ we obtain:
$\Delta x =(\lambda^{2})/(2\pi\Delta\lambda) =\frac{\lambda}{2\pi\left ( \frac{\Delta\lambda}{\lambda} \right )}$
With the given numerical values one gets
a) $\Delta x =0.08 m$
b) $\Delta x =1.59*10^{-5} m$
c) $\Delta x =1.59*10^{-10} m$