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Foundations of Physics

Theoretical intricacies of the single-slit, the double-slit, and related experiments in quantum mechanics

Edward B. Manoukian

Published May 1, 1989• 6 citations
Publisher
DOI
10.1007/bf00734655

Related papers

Quantum Phenomena and the Double-Slit Experiment

Arkady Plotnitsky

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Double-slit experiment with single wave-driven particles and its relation to quantum mechanics

Anders Andersen, Jacob Madsen, Christian Reichelt +5 more

In a thought-provoking paper, Couder and Fort [Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 154101 (2006)] describe a version of the famous double-slit experiment performed with droplets bouncing on a vertically vibrated fluid surface. In the experiment, an interference pattern in the single-particle statistics is found even though it is possible to determine unambiguously which slit the walking droplet passes. Here we argue, however, that the single-particle statistics in such an experiment will be fundamentally different from the single-particle statistics of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanical interference takes place between different classical paths with precise amplitude and phase relations. In the double-slit experiment with walking droplets, these relations are lost since one of the paths is singled out by the droplet. To support our conclusions, we have carried out our own double-slit experiment, and our results, in particular the long and variable slit passage times of the droplets, cast strong doubt on the feasibility of the interference claimed by Couder and Fort. To understand theoretically the limitations of wave-driven particle systems as analogs to quantum mechanics, we introduce a Schrödinger equation with a source term originating from a localized particle that generates a wave while being simultaneously guided by it. We show that the ensuing particle-wave dynamics can capture some characteristics of quantum mechanics such as orbital quantization. However, the particle-wave dynamics can not reproduce quantum mechanics in general, and we show that the single-particle statistics for our model in a double-slit experiment with an additional splitter plate differs qualitatively from that of quantum mechanics.

Physical Review E•Jul 6, 2015•65 citations

Born Rule(s)

Urbasi Sinha, Dipankar Home, Guruprasad Kar +1 more

This paper is based on work published in [1]. It describes a triple slit experiment using single photons that has been used to provide a bound on one of the most fundamental axioms of quantum mechanics i.e. Born’s rule for probabilities [2]. In spite of being one of the most successful theories which describes various natural phenomena, quantum mechanics has enough intricacies and “weirdness” associated with it which makes many physicists believe that it may not be the final theory and hints towards the possibility of more generalized versions. Quantum interference as shown by a double slit diffraction experiment only occurs from pairs of paths. Even in multi‐slit versions, interference can only occur between pairs of possibilities and increasing the number of slits does not increase the complexity of the theory that still remains second‐order. However, more generalized versions of quantum mechanics may allow for multi‐path i.e. higher than second order interference. This experiment also provides a bound on the magnitude of such higher order interference. We have been able to bound the magnitude of three‐path interference to less than 10−2 of the expected two‐path interference, thus ruling out third and higher order interference and providing a bound on the accuracy of Born’s rule.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 2011•1 citation

NOTE J The Two-Slit Experiment in Quantum Mechanics

David Park

Princeton University Press eBooks•Dec 31, 1988•0 citations

Double Slit Experient Still Has Much to Offer (9): ---Continuously Curved Diffraction Patterns of 2D-Cross-Grating Experiments

Peng, Hui

Young's double slit experiments represent the mystery of quantum mechanics. To explore the mystery, varieties of the single slit, double slit, cross-double slit and 1D-grating experiments were performed, which show the universal phenomena that the interference/diffraction patterns are curved, expanded and inclined. In this article, we show novel phenomena that the diffraction patterns of the 2D-cross-grating experiments can be curved, expanded and inclined simultaneously and continuously. Those experiments provide comprehensive data for developing/testing a theoretical model.

•Nov 10, 2021•0 citations

A New Theory of the Double-Slit Experiment

Jiankun Lai

•Jan 1, 2024•0 citations
In a thought-provoking paper, Couder and Fort [Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 154101 (2006)] describe a version of the famous double-slit experiment performed with droplets bouncing on a vertically vibrated fluid surface. In the experiment, an interference pattern in the single-particle statistics is found even though it is possible to determine unambiguously which slit the walking droplet passes. Here we argue, however, that the single-particle statistics in such an experiment will be fundamentally different from the single-particle statistics of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanical interference takes place between different classical paths with precise amplitude and phase relations. In the double-slit experiment with walking droplets, these relations are lost since one of the paths is singled out by the droplet. To support our conclusions, we have carried out our own double-slit experiment, and our results, in particular the long and variable slit passage times of the droplets, cast strong doubt on the feasibility of the interference claimed by Couder and Fort. To understand theoretically the limitations of wave-driven particle systems as analogs to quantum mechanics, we introduce a Schrödinger equation with a source term originating from a localized particle that generates a wave while being simultaneously guided by it. We show that the ensuing particle-wave dynamics can capture some characteristics of quantum mechanics such as orbital quantization. However, the particle-wave dynamics can not reproduce quantum mechanics in general, and we show that the single-particle statistics for our model in a double-slit experiment with an additional splitter plate differs qualitatively from that of quantum mechanics.
This paper is based on work published in [1]. It describes a triple slit experiment using single photons that has been used to provide a bound on one of the most fundamental axioms of quantum mechanics i.e. Born’s rule for probabilities [2]. In spite of being one of the most successful theories which describes various natural phenomena, quantum mechanics has enough intricacies and “weirdness” associated with it which makes many physicists believe that it may not be the final theory and hints towards the possibility of more generalized versions. Quantum interference as shown by a double slit diffraction experiment only occurs from pairs of paths. Even in multi‐slit versions, interference can only occur between pairs of possibilities and increasing the number of slits does not increase the complexity of the theory that still remains second‐order. However, more generalized versions of quantum mechanics may allow for multi‐path i.e. higher than second order interference. This experiment also provides a bound on the magnitude of such higher order interference. We have been able to bound the magnitude of three‐path interference to less than 10−2 of the expected two‐path interference, thus ruling out third and higher order interference and providing a bound on the accuracy of Born’s rule.
Young's double slit experiments represent the mystery of quantum mechanics. To explore the mystery, varieties of the single slit, double slit, cross-double slit and 1D-grating experiments were performed, which show the universal phenomena that the interference/diffraction patterns are curved, expanded and inclined. In this article, we show novel phenomena that the diffraction patterns of the 2D-cross-grating experiments can be curved, expanded and inclined simultaneously and continuously. Those experiments provide comprehensive data for developing/testing a theoretical model.