© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

Terms Privacy Legal Notice

Physical Review A

Young's double-slit interference for quantum particles

Zehra Nur Özer, Hari Chaluvadi, Melike Ulu, Mevlüt Doğan, Bekir Aktaş, D. H. Madison

Published Apr 16, 2013• 33 citations

Abstract

For the last 50 years, there has been considerable interest in the possibility of observing the equivalence of a Young's double-slit wave interference at the quantum level for diatomic molecules. For electron-impact ionization of diatomic molecules, indirect evidence for this type of interference has been found by changing the energy (wavelength) of the ejected electron while keeping the incident projectile scattering angle fixed. The present work represents an experimental and theoretical collaboration to better understand the physics of this type of interference. In addition to examining the effect of changing the ejected electron energy for a fixed scattered projectile angle, we have also examined the effect of keeping the ejected electron energy fixed while varying the projectile scattering angle. Model calculations are performed for three different types of possible two-center interference effects, and it is found that the most important one is diffraction of the projectile off two scattering centers.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.87.042704

Related papers

Interference effects for low-energy electron-impact ionization of nitrogen molecules

Junfang Gao, D. H. Madison, Jerry L. Peacher

Young's double slit interference effects for low incident energy $75.6\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ electron impact ionization of ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ are investigated using the distorted-wave impulse approximation (DWIA) for both coplanar symmetric and asymmetric scattering. Although the DWIA does not predict observable interference effects for the coplanar symmetric case, it predicts some strong Young's double-slit-type interference effects for the highly asymmetric scattering case. These effects are strong enough that they should be experimentally observable if one can make measurements in the backscattering region.

Physical Review A•Sep 21, 2005•67 citations

Young Double Slit Interference Effects at Quantum Level

Zehra Nur Özer, Hari Chaluvadi, Melike Ulu +3 more

The currently accepted model for quantum interference resulting from the emission of electron waves from two scattering centers induced by either light or charged particle impact is analogous to Young's emission of two light waves from two slits. In this work we show that this simple classical wave model is incomplete and that there is a more complicated quantum interference pattern for low energy ionization caused by electron impact.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Apr 10, 2014•2 citations

Young-Type Experiment Using a Single-Electron Source and an Independent Atomic-Size Two-Center Interferometer

J.-Y. Chesnel, Anas Hajaji, R O Barrachina +1 more

Evidence is given for Young-type interferences caused by a single electron acting on a given double-center scatterer analogous to an atomic-size double-slit system. The electron is provided by autoionization of a doubly excited He atom following the capture of the electrons of H2 by a He2+ incoming ion. The autoionizing projectile is a single-electron source, independent of the interferometer provided by the two H+ centers of the fully ionized H2 molecule. This experiment resembles the famous thought experiment imagined by Feynman in 1963, in which the quantum nature of the electron is illustrated from a Young-like double-slit experiment. Well-defined oscillations are visible in the angular distribution of the scattered electrons, showing that each electron interferes with itself.

Physical Review Letters•Mar 8, 2007•30 citations

Angular Momentum Sensitive Two-Center Interference

Markus Ilchen, Leif Glaser, Frank R. Scholz +16 more

In quantum mechanics the Young-type double-slit experiment can be performed with electrons either traveling through a double slit or being coherently emitted from two inversion symmetric molecular sites. In the latter one the valence photoionization cross sections of homonuclear diatomic molecules were predicted to oscillate over kinetic energy almost 50 years ago. Beyond the direct proof of the oscillatory behavior of these photoionization cross sections σ, we show that the angular distribution of the emitted electrons reveals hitherto unexplored information on the relative phase shift between the corresponding partial waves through two-center interference patterns.

Physical Review Letters•Jan 15, 2014•31 citations

A Young-type experiment using a single-electron source and an independent atomic-size two-center interferometer: the realization of a thought experiment

F. Frémont, Anas Hajaji, R O Barrachina +1 more

Interferences caused by a single electron impacting on an independent double-center scatterer, which plays the role of an atomic-size double-slit system, are experimentally evidenced for the first time. The electron originates from the autoionization of doubly excited 2 l n l ' (n ⩾ 2) configurations of He following a double charge exchange process by He 2+ ions impinging on H 2 molecules. Well-defined oscillations are visible in the angular distribution of the electrons emitted towards the receding H + protons. The presence of these oscillations demonstrates that a single electron interferes with itself. This is analogous to the famous "thought" experiment imagined and discussed by Feynman in 1963, in which the quantum nature of the electron was illustrated by making it traverse an atomic-size double-slit arrangement.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Nov 1, 2007•5 citations

Prediction of interference factor for homonuclear diatomic molecules: N2, O2

Zehra Nur Özer

Young type interference effect for quantum particles can be seen in the cross sections for electron impact ionization of diatomic molecules. Interference factor is determined for description of interference effects in the ionization cross sections. Although such structures are observed for small diatomic molecules, larger molecules are less discussed in the recent works. Interference effects are already observed in the ionization cross sections of H2 and N2 molecules by electron impact. Similar effects expected to be seen on cross sections of larger diatomic molecules. The aim of this work, is to further highlight the possibility of interference effects may be seen also in the ionization cross sections of larger diatomic molecules and also discuss the structure of interference factor. This study is a preliminary study for the experiments can be carried to investigate interference effects in the cross sections of larger homonuclear diatomic molecules.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 2018•0 citations

For the last 50 years, there has been considerable interest in the possibility of observing the equivalence of a Young's double-slit wave interference at the quantum level for diatomic molecules. For electron-impact ionization of diatomic molecules, indirect evidence for this type of interference has been found by changing the energy (wavelength) of the ejected electron while keeping the incident projectile scattering angle fixed. The present work represents an experimental and theoretical collaboration to better understand the physics of this type of interference. In addition to examining the effect of changing the ejected electron energy for a fixed scattered projectile angle, we have also examined the effect of keeping the ejected electron energy fixed while varying the projectile scattering angle. Model calculations are performed for three different types of possible two-center interference effects, and it is found that the most important one is diffraction of the projectile off two scattering centers.

Young's double slit interference effects for low incident energy

75.6\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}

electron impact ionization of

{\mathrm{N}}_{2}

are investigated using the distorted-wave impulse approximation (DWIA) for both coplanar symmetric and asymmetric scattering. Although the DWIA does not predict observable interference effects for the coplanar symmetric case, it predicts some strong Young's double-slit-type interference effects for the highly asymmetric scattering case. These effects are strong enough that they should be experimentally observable if one can make measurements in the backscattering region.

Evidence is given for Young-type interferences caused by a single electron acting on a given double-center scatterer analogous to an atomic-size double-slit system. The electron is provided by autoionization of a doubly excited He atom following the capture of the electrons of H2 by a He2+ incoming ion. The autoionizing projectile is a single-electron source, independent of the interferometer provided by the two H+ centers of the fully ionized H2 molecule. This experiment resembles the famous thought experiment imagined by Feynman in 1963, in which the quantum nature of the electron is illustrated from a Young-like double-slit experiment. Well-defined oscillations are visible in the angular distribution of the scattered electrons, showing that each electron interferes with itself.

In quantum mechanics the Young-type double-slit experiment can be performed with electrons either traveling through a double slit or being coherently emitted from two inversion symmetric molecular sites. In the latter one the valence photoionization cross sections of homonuclear diatomic molecules were predicted to oscillate over kinetic energy almost 50 years ago. Beyond the direct proof of the oscillatory behavior of these photoionization cross sections σ, we show that the angular distribution of the emitted electrons reveals hitherto unexplored information on the relative phase shift between the corresponding partial waves through two-center interference patterns.

Interferences caused by a single electron impacting on an independent double-center scatterer, which plays the role of an atomic-size double-slit system, are experimentally evidenced for the first time. The electron originates from the autoionization of doubly excited 2 l n l ' (n ⩾ 2) configurations of He following a double charge exchange process by He 2+ ions impinging on H 2 molecules. Well-defined oscillations are visible in the angular distribution of the electrons emitted towards the receding H + protons. The presence of these oscillations demonstrates that a single electron interferes with itself. This is analogous to the famous "thought" experiment imagined and discussed by Feynman in 1963, in which the quantum nature of the electron was illustrated by making it traverse an atomic-size double-slit arrangement.

Young type interference effect for quantum particles can be seen in the cross sections for electron impact ionization of diatomic molecules. Interference factor is determined for description of interference effects in the ionization cross sections. Although such structures are observed for small diatomic molecules, larger molecules are less discussed in the recent works. Interference effects are already observed in the ionization cross sections of H2 and N2 molecules by electron impact. Similar effects expected to be seen on cross sections of larger diatomic molecules. The aim of this work, is to further highlight the possibility of interference effects may be seen also in the ionization cross sections of larger diatomic molecules and also discuss the structure of interference factor. This study is a preliminary study for the experiments can be carried to investigate interference effects in the cross sections of larger homonuclear diatomic molecules.