The development of attitudes to the wave-particle duality of light and quantum theory, 1900–1920

Abstract

Summary Evidence bearing on the development of the wave-particle problem for light in the period 1900–1920 is presented in order to indicate how this problem was then viewed. Particular attention is drawn to the logical force of the arguments used in the debate, and to their persuasive force in the context of current values and of the contemporary state of physics. It is shown that, despite the accumulation of strong evidence in support of wave-particle duality, and despite widespread agreement on the inadequacy of both wave and particle theories, there was little acceptance of duality. This is attributed to physicists' acceptance of the long-standing tradition requiring a physical description to be above all structurally consistent.