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AIP conference proceedings

A transactional interpretation of interaction free measurements

J. G. Cramer

Published Jan 1, 2001• 1 citation

Abstract

In 1993 Elitzur and Vaidmannl (EV) demonstrated that quantum mechanics permits the use of light quanta to examine an object without a single photon having actually interacted with the object, requiring only the possibility of such an interaction. The EV scenario has recently been carried out in the laboratory and its predictions verified. EV discussed their scenario in terms of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, in which the interaction-free result is rather mysterious, using a “knowledge” not available classically. They also used the Everett-Wheeler interpretation and suggested that the information indicating the presence of the opaque object comes from an interaction in a separate Everett-Wheeler universe, with the information communicated to our universe through the absence of interference. In the present work, we will examine the EV interaction-free scenario in terms of the transactional interpretation of quantum mechanics2 and will provide a more plausible account of the physical processes that make possible quantum interaction-free measurements.

DOI: 10.1063/1.1388684

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It is now well established that the presence of an opaque classical object can be unambiguously determined by an {open_quotes}interaction-free{close_quotes} measurement (IFM), where the object and the probe never directly interact. For quantum objects, we examine {open_quotes}interaction-free{close_quotes} measurement (the object wavefunction is unchanged) and {open_quotes}interaction-free{close_quotes} preparation (the object wavefunction is changed without physical interaction) and find that in general, neither is possible. We propose using high efficiency IFM{close_quote}s as a quantum information bus to connect disjoint quantum systems. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}

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Recently, it has been pointed out that it is possible to make a quantum-mechanical interaction-free measurement (IFM), in which the existence of an object in a given region of space may be determined seemingly without interacting with it.1,2 In the embodiment first proposed by Elitzur and Vaidman,3 a standard Michelson interferometer is aligned so that incident single photons (obtained in our experiment by using parametric downconversion; see Fig. 1) must exit by the same port in which they entered, in the absence of any object within the interferometer. The presence of an object (e.g., the mirror leading to detector DB) in one of the arms completely changes the possible outcomes because the constructive interference is interrupted. Now it is possible that the photon will exit from the other exit port, to detector DIfm. By detecting the photon in this case, one can claim with certainty that an object was within the interferometer, even though the photon could not have interacted with it. If the beam splitter has a very low reflectivity, then the fraction of IFMs approaches 1/2.

I shall discuss two recently suggested quantum experiments. These experiments lead to paradoxical situations. I will argue that in the framework of a particular Many Worlds Interpretation of quantum theory the paradoxes do not arise. The first experiment is the “interaction-free measurement” (Elitzur and Vaidman 1993). The experimental group at Innsbruck headed by Prof. Zeilinger is working now on its realization. Before describing the experiment let me discuss a general question: “How do we know that there is an object in a region of space?” The simplest case is when the object itself causes some physical changes outside the region: i) The object is charged, so there is a field outside. We can measure this field. ii) The object yields a potential outside. Aharonov and Bohm have taught us that potential even without field leads to a measurable effect. iii) The objects radiates photons or other particles.

It is now well established that the presence of an opaque classical object can be unambiguously determined by an "interaction-free" measurement (IFM), where the object and the probe never directly interact. For quantum objects, we examine "interaction-free" measurement (the object wavefunction is unchanged) and "interaction-free" preparation (the object wavefunction is changed without physical interaction) and find that in general, neither is possible. We propose using high efficiency IFM's as a quantum information bus to connect disjoint quantum systems.

It is now well established that the presence of an opaque classical object can be unambiguously determined by an {open_quotes}interaction-free{close_quotes} measurement (IFM), where the object and the probe never directly interact. For quantum objects, we examine {open_quotes}interaction-free{close_quotes} measurement (the object wavefunction is unchanged) and {open_quotes}interaction-free{close_quotes} preparation (the object wavefunction is changed without physical interaction) and find that in general, neither is possible. We propose using high efficiency IFM{close_quote}s as a quantum information bus to connect disjoint quantum systems. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}