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arXiv:2409.13835 · Journal of Physics Photonics

Fermion and boson pairs in beamsplitters and Mach–Zehnder interferometers

Jonte R. Hance

Published Oct 31, 2024• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract In this short topical review, we look at something typically considered trivial, but not given formally elsewhere—the behaviour of first multiple fermions, then multiple bosons, in a beamsplitter. Extending from this, we then describe the behaviour of multiple fermions and multiple bosons in Mach–Zehnder interferometers. We hope that by showing how to go from mathematically simple but unintuitive quantum field theory to a phenomenological description, this review will help both researchers and students build a stronger intuition for the behaviour of quantum particles.

DOI
10.1088/2515-7647/ad8d96

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Abstract In this short topical review, we look at something typically considered trivial, but not given formally elsewhere—the behaviour of first multiple fermions, then multiple bosons, in a beamsplitter. Extending from this, we then describe the behaviour of multiple fermions and multiple bosons in Mach–Zehnder interferometers. We hope that by showing how to go from mathematically simple but unintuitive quantum field theory to a phenomenological description, this review will help both researchers and students build a stronger intuition for the behaviour of quantum particles.
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It is generally believed that the “mystery” behind understanding Quantum Mechanics (QM) and the global drives to construct quantum computers using “Entanglement”, can be understood from how the two-beam superposition effect (SE) emerges out of a 2-slit, and a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI). This chapter rehabilitates the classical analyses of these two superposition effects, while exploiting functional asymmetries, either deliberately introduced or intrinsic in the two-beam apparatuses. We are using mathematical formalism already well-established in classical optics since 1800’s, but with the extra emphasis that any final data generation requires some real physical interaction between the detector and the two light signals simultaneously stimulating the detecting molecules. This critical step of physical interaction process is not explicitly underscored by either the classical or the quantum physics. However, the asymmetry, either in the propagation or in the interaction process, is utilized to bring out the contradictions with the QM interpretations. For the 2-slit system, we deliberately introduce asymmetry on one of the slits. For MZI, the asymmetry is already built into the classical reflection property of a typical beams splitter.
Abstract Now that we have explored qubits and the phenomenon of superposition, we can ask the question: how do we know that superposition actually happens? is the evidence that shows that a quantum particle really does exist in two different locations at this same time while in a quantum superposition? The nature of science means that experiments are constantly updating previous results, so are there other interpretations of the experimental results that can explain the data without the need for superposition? In this chapter we’ll explore the experimental evidence interpretations other than quantum superposition. Further, while a flipping coin is a simple model of a qubit, it is not very useful for building a quantum computer because it does not exhibit all of the properties of a true quantum superposition. For example, we cannot manipulate the superposition amplitudes. In this chapter, we will study some real physical examples of quantum particles in a superposition containing two states. These examples include a photon in a beam splitter and the Mach–Zehnder interferometer.
Abstract The Mach–Zehnder interferometer has played an important role both in quantum and classical physics research over the years. In physics education, it has been used as a didactic tool for quantum physics teaching, allowing fundamental concepts, such as particle–wave duality, to be addressed from the very beginning. For a student to understand the novelties of the quantum scenario, it is first worth introducing the classical picture. In this paper, we introduce a new version of the software developed by our research group to deepen the discussion on the classical picture of the Mach–Zehnder interferometer. We present its equivalence with the double slit experiment and we derive the mathematical expressions relating to the interference pattern. We also explore the concept of visibility (which is very important for understanding wave–particle complementarity in quantum physics) to help students become familiar with this experiment and to enhance their knowledge of its counterintuitive aspects. We use the software articulated by the mathematical formalism and phenomenological features. We also present excerpts of the discursive interactions of students using the software in didactic situations.