Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical

Two-state vector formalism and quantum interference

F. A. Hashmi, Fu Li, Shi-Yao Zhu, Muhammad Suhail Zubairy

Published Jul 14, 2016• 37 citations

Abstract

Abstract We show that two-state vector formalism (TSVF), applied to quantum systems that make use of delicate interference effects, can lead to paradoxes. We consider a few schemes of nested Mach–Zehnder interferometers that make use of destructive interference. A particular interpretation of TSVF applied to these schemes makes predictions that are contradictory to quantum theory and can not always be verified. Our results suggest that TSVF might not be a suitable tool to describe quantum systems that make use of delicate quantum interference effects.

DOI: 10.1088/1751-8113/49/34/345302

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