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Journal of Physics Conference Series

Projection evolution and delayed-choice experiments

ANDRZEJ GÓŹDŹ, K. Stefańska

Published Mar 1, 2008• 9 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A theoretical description of Wheeler's delayed-choice Gedankenexperiment is presented in the non-relativistic space-time in terms of quantum events. It turns out that the description, in which time is a dynamical variable, allows to explain the delayed-choice problem as a result of spread of quantum states in time.
DOI
10.1088/1742-6596/104/1/012007

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In the Schrödinger evolution of a quantum state, time enters as a real parameter representing the coordinate. In a more consistent approach, time should be defined as a quantum observable, with the evolution taking place in a four-dimensional spacetime. This is possible in the projection evolution model in which the wave function is defined in both space and time. This allows to construct the time operator and discuss the temporal structure of the quantum processes. In this paper, we discuss a photon travelling through a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, focusing the description on the temporal profile of the wave function. We show that in this approach the delayed-choice experiments can be explained by the temporal overlap of the photon and the devices in the interferometer.
In the Schrödinger evolution of a quantum state time enters as a real parameter representing the coordinate. In a more consistent approach time should be defined as a quantum observable, with the evolution taking place in a four-dimensional spacetime. This is possible in the projection evolution model in which the wave function is defined in both space and time. This allows to construct the time operator and discuss the temporal structure of quantum processes. In this paper we discuss a photon travelling through a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, focusing the description on the temporal profile of the wave function. We show that in this approach the delayed-choice experiments can be explained by the temporal overlap of the photon and the devices in the interferometer.
Abstract: Recently the experimental group of A. Aspect published a very interesting experimental realization of the well known Wheeler’s delayed-choice Gedanken Experiment. In the paper the authors refer to the usual, non causal linear explanation of the experiment. In the present work we show how it is possible, and furthermore desirable, to explain the same experiment in terms of the modern local causal and nonlinear quantum theory, inspired in the work of the great physicist Louis de Broglie. In this way we are able to get rid of the mysteries and of the weird features of the orthodox interpretation, like retractions in time, and therefore recover causality and rationality once more.
Abstract In this article, we present a detailed analysis of two famous delayed choice experiments: Wheeler’s classic gedanken-experiment and the delayed quantum eraser. Our analysis shows that the outcomes of both experiments can be fully explained on the basis of the information collected during the experiments using textbook quantum mechanics only. At no point in the argument, information from the future is needed to explain what happens next. In fact, more is true: for both experiments, we show, in a strictly mathematical way, that a modified version in which the time-ordering of the steps is changed to avoid the delayed choice leads to exactly the same final state. In this operational sense, the scenarios are completely equivalent in terms of conclusions that can be drawn from their outcomes.