Based on attempts to resolve the problem of various self contradictory assumptions behind the prevailing belief on single photon interference, we have analyzed the process steps behind our experimental measurements and named the process as the Interaction Process Mapping Epistemology (IPM-E). This has helped us recognize that the quantum mechanical Measurement Problem has a much universal and deeper root in nature. Our scientific theorization process suffers from a Perpetual Information Challenge (PIC), which cannot be overcome by elegant and/or sophisticated mathematical theories alone. Iterative imaginative application of IPM-E needs to be used as a metaphorical analytical continuation to fill up the missing information gaps. IPM-E has also guided us to recognize the generic NIW-principle (Non-Interaction of Waves) in the linear domain, not explicitly recognized in current books and literature. Superposition effects become manifest through light-matter interactions. Detecting dipoles gets stimulated by multiple superposed beams; it sums the simultaneous multiple stimulations into a single resultant undulation, which then guides the resultant energy exchange. The consequent transformation in the detector corresponds to observed fringes. They neither represent interference of light; nor represent selective arrival or non-arrival of photons on the detector. Photons do not possess any force of mutual interaction to generate their redistribution. Implementation of IPM-E requires us to recognize our subjective interpretation propensity with which we are burdened due to our evolutionary successes.
Based on attempts to resolve the problem of various self contradictory assumptions behind the prevailing belief on single photon interference, we have analyzed the process steps behind our experimental measurements and named the process as the Interaction Process Mapping Epistemology (IPM-E). This has helped us recognize that the quantum mechanical Measurement Problem has a much universal and deeper root in nature. Our scientific theorization process suffers from a Perpetual Information Challenge (PIC), which cannot be overcome by elegant and/or sophisticated mathematical theories alone. Iterative imaginative application of IPM-E needs to be used as a metaphorical analytical continuation to fill up the missing information gaps. IPM-E has also guided us to recognize the generic NIW-principle (Non-Interaction of Waves) in the linear domain, not explicitly recognized in current books and literature. Superposition effects become manifest through light-matter interactions. Detecting dipoles gets stimulated by multiple superposed beams; it sums the simultaneous multiple stimulations into a single resultant undulation, which then guides the resultant energy exchange. The consequent transformation in the detector corresponds to observed fringes. They neither represent interference of light; nor represent selective arrival or non-arrival of photons on the detector. Photons do not possess any force of mutual interaction to generate their redistribution. Implementation of IPM-E requires us to recognize our subjective interpretation propensity with which we are burdened due to our evolutionary successes.
Sensors are measuring tools. In any measurement, we have at least two different kinds of interactants. We never know all there are to know about any one of these interactants and the interaction processes that are mostly invisible. Yet, our engineering innovation driven evolution is persisting for over five million years. It is then important to articulate explicitly our Interaction Process Mapping Thinking (IPM-T) that we keep applying in the real world without formally recognizing it. We present how the systematic application of IPM-T removes century old wave-particle duality by introducing a model of hybrid photon. It seamlessly bridges the quantum and the classical worlds. Photons are discrete energy packets only at the moment of emission; then they evolve diffractively and propagate as classical waves. Thus, "interference of a single indivisible photon" is only a non-causal assertion. We apply IPM-T to improve the photoelectric equation and we obtain Non-Interaction of Wave (NIW) amplitudes. Note that Huygens explicitly articulated NIW by postulating his "secondary spherical wavelets." Later Fresnel incorporated this postulate in the now famous Huygens- Fresnel (HF) diffraction integral. Most modern optical science and engineering are based upon propagating EM waves through optical devices and systems using this integral in some form or other. Maxwell’s wave equation accepts HF integral as its solution. Systematic application of IPM-T to our causal and working mathematical equations, along with NIW in interferometric experiments, reveal that Superposition Effects can emerge only when the interacting material dipoles respond, whether classically or quantum mechanically, to the joint stimulations due to all the simultaneously superposed waves. This indicates the non-causality of our belief that a single indivisible photon can interfere by itself. We would not have a causally evolving universe had any stable elementary particle were to change itself through selfinterference. Further, our working superposition equations always contain two or more terms representing two or more independently evolving entities. That is why we need physical instruments with two or more independent channels of propagation along with appropriately placed detectors to generate physical superposition effects. Nature does not violate causality. Otherwise, our causally framed equations would not have been working so elegantly.
A Causal Photon Model for Optical Scientists & Engineers Causal Physics: Photons by Non Interactions of Waves redefines the mathematical Superposition Principle as an operational Superposition Effect; which is the measurable physical transformation experienced by a detector due to stimulations induced by multiple waves simultaneously acting on the detecting dipoles. This light-matter interaction process driven model emerges naturally by incorporating the observed properties, Non-Interaction of Waves (NIW) and quantized photo detectors needing to fill up their "quantum-cups" with the required quantity of energy from all the stimulating waves around it. By not incorporating this NIW-property explicitly, quantum mechanics failed to extract various embedded realities in the theory while incorporated unnecessary hypotheses like wave-particle duality. The book utilizes this NIW-property to explain all the major optical phenomena (diffraction, spectrometry, coherence.) without using any self-contradictory hypotheses that are prevalent now. An Unconventional Book for All Physicists The book redefines the old ether (constituting the space) as a stationary Complex Tension Field (CTF), holding all the energy of the universe (no need for Dark Energy of Dark Matter). CTF sustains perpetually propagating EM waves as its linear excitations and the particles as self-looped localized resonant non-linear excitations. Tensions are identified by Maxwell, then the velocities of emitting and detecting atoms through the CTF contribute to the Doppler shifts separately. This calls for re-visiting physical processes behind Hubble Redshift and hence Expanding Universe. Novel Strategy for All Critical Thinkers: Visualize the Invisibles The success of the book derives from a novel thinking strategy of visualizing the invisible interaction processes, named as Interaction Process Mapping Epistemology (IPM-E). This is over and above the prevailing strategy of Measurable Data Modeling Epistemology (MDM-E). The approach inspires the next generation of physicists to recognizing that the "foundation of the edifice of physics" has not yet been finalized. IPM-E will stimulate more of us to become technology innovators by learning to emulate the ontologically real physical processes in nature and become more evolution congruent. Critical thinkers without expertise in optical science and engineering, will appreciate the value of the content by reading the book backward, starting from Ch.12; which explains the critical thinking methodology besides giving a very brief summary of the contents in the previous chapters. Establishes that abandoning the wave-particle-duality actually allows us to extract more realities out of quantum mechanics. Illustrates how the discovery of the NIW-property profoundly impacts several branches of fundamental physics, including Doppler effect and hence the cosmological red shift Summarizes that many ad hoc hypotheses from physics can be removed, a la Occam’s razor, while improving the reality and comprehension of some of the current working theories Demonstrates that our persistent attempts to restore causality in physical theories will be guided by our capability to visualize the invisible light matter interaction processes that are behind the emergence of all measurable data Draws close attention to the invisible but ontological interaction processes behind various optical phenomena so we can emulate them more efficiently and knowledgably in spite of limitations of our theories Designed as a reference book for general physics and philosophy, this optical science and engineering book is an ideal resource for optical engineers, physicists, and those working with modern optical equipment and high precision instrumentation.
We present the critical steps involved in any measurement process, which tell us that force‐free and intervention‐free measurements are not possible. We add to this the NIW‐principle, Non‐Interference of Waves, which has been neglected by us for centuries even though it is obvious from careful observations of crossing of all material based waves and light beams. Then we underscore that the foundational assumption behind the time‐frequency Fourier theorem does not represent any physical reality even though mathematical computation does give the desired results. It assumes that simple superposition of monochromatic Fourier waves, by themselves, can generate time finite pulses due to interference. Unfortunately, the NIW‐principle forbids it. Founders of quantum physics, oblivious of the existence of the NIW‐principle, assumed that superposition of light beams produce the observed fringes. In reality, the superposition effects become observable because the quantized detectors carry out the summation of the joint stimulations. Thus, quantum physicists mistakenly assigned the quantum behavior of detectors on to light (photons). Based on these observations, we underscore that the ultimate purpose of physical theories is to facilitate the visualization of the invisible interaction processes, rather than simply model the measured data, as is customary now.
Quantum Mechanics (QM) represents the currently best mathematical theory and computational tool available to quantitatively model the outcomes of measurements in the microscopic world. However, the various interpretations of the theory, including the currently dominant Copenhagen Interpretation, remain actively debated and contested in mainstream scientific journals. This puts us in the curious position of having a theory which evidently maps a significant portion of physical reality, but we still do not fully understand the relationship between its mathematical constituents and physical reality. This thesis develops a more intuitive understanding of QM based on the physical interaction processes occurring within our detectors. Using a semi- classical point of view, I first present a process-based derivation of the black-body spectrum, the mathematically accurate description of which, as first accomplished by Planck, led to the development of modern QM. I further demonstrate that ignoring interpretations like the Copenhagen Interpretation and focusing on measurable light-matter interaction processes provides an alternative productive way forward. I focus specifically on superposition effects created by multiple electro- magnetic waves simultaneously stimulating appropriate detectors, by mapping the interaction processes that result in the reported data. As a result I present a simple model of the detector signal that incorporates some of the important physical processes which do date have suffered from a lack of attention. One key observation of this discussion corresponds to the fact that in the linear domain wave amplitudes by themselves do not interact to generate observable data - the response to the joint amplitude stimulation of a detector and the ensuing energy absorption on the other hand do represent observables. Much of the confusion as well as many of QM’s paradoxes and contentious issues inherent in various interpretations of the theory resolve automatically when we remain focused on the interaction processes that give rise to the measurable superposition effect, rather than the unobservable superposition principle that the standard interpretations struggle to give meaning to. Demanding, as I do in this thesis, a close correspondence between our mathematical symbols and physical quantities, as well as between mathematical operations and physical processes demonstrates that QM maps more of physical reality than what the Copenhagen Interpretation allows us to extract from the QM formalism.
The physical interaction processes behind the emergence of dark and bright fringes registered by the detectors at the output of optical interferometers is explained. This knowledge should be helpful to interferometrists to make better physical interpretations of their data. The belief in mysterious “interference of single indivisible photon” will disappear once we recognize that the spatial or temporal energy re-distributions are generated by the physical transformation experienced by the detecting molecules drawing energy from all the light beams. The molecules could be photodetectors at the interferometer output, or the beam combining dielectric boundary. The superposition principle (SP), represented by the linear mathematical sum of two or more wave amplitudes, does not represent an observable phenomenon. The superposition effect (SE), represented by the non-linear square modulus of the joint dipolar stimulation of the detectors by all the superposed waves, is observable. We present two laboratory experiments to clarify these points. Both classical beam combiners and quantum detectors are capable of generating superposition fringes of intensity variations. The logic of “quantumness” of light is narrowly relevant only when a quantum detector deciphers the fringes; it is not valid for classical beam combiners. We will also discuss “entanglement” based on these experiments.
Non-interaction of waves (NIW) in the linear domain is an unappreciated but general principle of nature. Explicit recognition of this NIW-principle will add renewed momentum to the progress of fundamental physics and related technologies like spectrometry, coherence, polarizations, laser mode-locking, etc. This principle helps us appreciate that the mathematical correctness of a theorem and its capability to predict certain groups of measured data, do not necessarily imply that the theorem is always capable of mapping real interaction processes in nature. The time-frequency Fourier theorem (TF-FT) is an example since superposed light beams, by themselves, cannot reorganize or sum their energies. Quantum Mechanics (QM) correctly discovered that photons (light beams) are non-interacting bosons. Yet, to accommodate (i) the classical belief that light beams interfere (interact) by themselves, and (ii) Einstein's heuristic hypothesis that discrete packets of energy emitted by molecules travel as indivisible quanta (contradicting spontaneous diffractive spreading), QM has been forced to hypothesize that a photon interferes only with itself. In reality, it is the quantized detecting material media that make the superposition effects become manifest as their physical transformations, from bound electrons to released photoelectrons, after absorbing energy from all the beams due to induced simultaneous stimulations by the beams.