Einstein–Bohr recoiling double-slit gedanken experiment performed at the molecular level
X.-J. Liu, Quan Miao, Faris Gel’mukhanov +6 more
Double-slit experiments illustrate proof for wave–particle complementarity. The essence of Einstein–Bohr's debate about wave–particle duality was whether the momentum transfer between a particle and a recoiling slit could mark the path, thus destroying the interference. We realized this recoiling double-slit gedanken experiment by resonant X-ray photoemission from molecular oxygen for geometries near equilibrium (coupled slits) and in a dissociative state far away from equilibrium (decoupled slits). Interference is observed in the former case, while the electron momentum transfer quenches the interference in the latter case.
Journal of Physics Conference Series•Sep 7, 2015•1 citation