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AIP conference proceedings

Basic Features of Quantum Physics Studied with Neutrons

Helmut Rauch, Dipankar Home, Guruprasad Kar, Archan S. Majumda

Published Jan 1, 2011• 0 citations
Publisher
DOI
10.1063/1.3635864

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The basic results are discussed in terms of quantum theory interpretations. The basic features of duality, entanglement, contextuality, and non-locality are inherent in all discussions. The wave-packet description of neutrons inside the interferometer combines particle features and properties of the apparatus. The formalism of quantum physics has been proven true, but the discussion about the interpretation of this theory is still ongoing. How a classical world may appear out of quantum features of nature is related to decoherence phenomena which exist in all parts of an experiment, but a final answer to this question cannot be given. One should be satisfied to have a very good description of the observed phenomena even though the interpretation of quantum theory remains ambiguous.

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Neutrons are proper tools for testing basic laws of quantum physics since they are massive and can be handled and measured with high efficiency. Suitable postselection experiments demonstrate coherence features of sub-ensembles even when the whole ensemble seems to have lost its coherence. All experiments have the capacity to explain more details by additional pre- and post-selection methods. It will be shown that specific losses are unavoidable in any interaction. Coherence and decoherence are intrinsic quantum effects and can shed light on the measurement problem. Quantum contextuality is a consequence of the entanglement of different degrees of freedom. This makes quantum phenomena more strongly correlated than classical ones. Most experiments have been performed with perfect neutron interferometers and some others by using ultracold neutrons and spin-echo systems. An event by event based interpretation can also be brought into agreement with the experimental results. In many cases parasitic beams carry the same information as the main beam and this relates such measurements to "weak" measurements. The coupling and entanglement of various parameter spaces guide us to a more elaborate discussion of quantum effects.

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The basic results are discussed in terms of quantum theory interpretations. The basic features of duality, entanglement, contextuality, and non-locality are inherent in all discussions. The wave-packet description of neutrons inside the interferometer combines particle features and properties of the apparatus. The formalism of quantum physics has been proven true, but the discussion about the interpretation of this theory is still ongoing. How a classical world may appear out of quantum features of nature is related to decoherence phenomena which exist in all parts of an experiment, but a final answer to this question cannot be given. One should be satisfied to have a very good description of the observed phenomena even though the interpretation of quantum theory remains ambiguous.
Neutron interferometry provides a powerful tool to investigate particle and wave features in quantum physics. Single particle interference phenomena can be observed with neutrons and the entanglement of degrees of freedom, i.e., contextuality can be verified and used in further experiments. Entanglement of two photons, or atoms, is analogous to a double slit diffraction of a single photon, neutron or atom. Neutrons are proper tools for testing quantum mechanics because they are massive, they couple to electromagnetic fields due to their magnetic moment, they are subject to all basic interactions, and they are sensitive to topological effects, as well. The 4π-symmetry of spinor wave functions, the spin-superposition law and many topological phenomena can be made visible, thus showing interesting intrinsic features of quantum physics. Related experiments will be discussed. Deterministic and stochastic partial absorption experiments can be described by Bell-type inequalities. Neutron interferometry experiments based on post-selection methods renewed the discussion about quantum non-locality and the quantum measuring process. It has been shown that interference phenomena can be revived even when the overall interference pattern has lost its contrast. This indicates a persisting coupling in phase space even in cases of spatially separated Schrödinger cat-like situations. These states are extremely fragile and sensitive against any kind of fluctuations and other decoherence processes. More complete quantum experiments also show that a complete retrieval of quantum states behind an interaction volume becomes impossible in principle, but where and when a collapse of the wave-field occurs depends on the level of experiment.
Neutrons are proper tools for testing basic laws of quantum physics since they are massive and can be handled and measured with high efficiency. Suitable postselection experiments demonstrate coherence features of sub-ensembles even when the whole ensemble seems to have lost its coherence. All experiments have the capacity to explain more details by additional pre- and post-selection methods. It will be shown that specific losses are unavoidable in any interaction. Coherence and decoherence are intrinsic quantum effects and can shed light on the measurement problem. Quantum contextuality is a consequence of the entanglement of different degrees of freedom. This makes quantum phenomena more strongly correlated than classical ones. Most experiments have been performed with perfect neutron interferometers and some others by using ultracold neutrons and spin-echo systems. An event by event based interpretation can also be brought into agreement with the experimental results. In many cases parasitic beams carry the same information as the main beam and this relates such measurements to "weak" measurements. The coupling and entanglement of various parameter spaces guide us to a more elaborate discussion of quantum effects.