Observing nanostructures with the Bohr-Heisenberg microscope: a subject for introductory modern physics courses

Abstract

In this work we obtain the ground state energy of the infinite potential well using a quantum concept such as the Bohr-Heisenberg microscope prevailing before the advent of the formalization of quantum mechanics and the uncertainty principle. Such energy value is equal to that obtained using formal quantum mechanics. We used this result to estimate the size of novel quantum structures such as the so called nanostructures or quantum wells, currently under study in solid state physics. This idea could be useful in teaching undergraduate introductory modern physics courses.