One of the most puzzling consequences of interpreting quantum mechanics in terms of concepts borrowed from classical physics, is the so-called wave-particle duality. Usually, wave-particle duality is illustrated in terms of complementarity between path distinguishability and fringe visibility in interference experiments. In this work, we instead propose a new type of complementarity, that between the continuous nature of waves and the discrete character of particles. Using the probabilistic methods of quantum field theory, we show that the simultaneous measurement of the wave amplitude and the number of photons in the same beam of light is, under certain circumstances, prohibited by the laws of quantum mechanics. Our results suggest that the concept of “interferometric duality'' could be eventually replaced by the more general one of “continuous-discrete duality''.One of the most puzzling consequences of interpreting quantum mechanics in terms of concepts borrowed from classical physics, is the so-called wave-particle duality. Usually, wave-particle duality is illustrated in terms of complementarity between path distinguishability and fringe visibility in interference experiments. In this work, we instead propose a new type of complementarity, that between the continuous nature of waves and the discrete character of particles. Using the probabilistic methods of quantum field theory, we show that the simultaneous measurement of the wave amplitude and the number of photons in the same beam of light is, under certain circumstances, prohibited by the laws of quantum mechanics. Our results suggest that the concept of “interferometric duality'' could be eventually replaced by the more general one of “continuous-discrete duality''.

arXiv:2303.15185QuantumOct 11, 20233 citations

Wave-Particle Duality of Light: A Current Perspective

Peter W. Milonni

Springer eBooksJan 1, 198417 citations

Second-Order Duality of Light and its Nonclassical Complementarity

Rikizo Ikuta

A single photon exhibits wave-particle duality in the Young's double-slit interferometer. The duality character-ized by an interference visibility $V$ as the wave-like property and a which-path information $D$ as the particle-like property has tradeoff relation $D^{2}+V^{2}\leq 1$ known as complementarity [1]–[3]. There are a lot of studies about the complementary nature of photons from various viewpoints such as delayed-choice experiments, theoretical works related to the uncertainty principle, and so on. More recently, studies have expanded the concept of the wave-particle duality to higher-order interferometric scenarios, in which the input light includes two or more pho-tons [4], [5]. Despite having a long history, all previous studies have been related to phase correlation of optical states, which reason would be why the main focus in the first place is the investigation of the mysterious quantum nature of a photon, including the superposition principle.A single photon exhibits wave-particle duality in the Young's double-slit interferometer. The duality character-ized by an interference visibility$V$as the wave-like property and a which-path information$D$as the particle-like property has tradeoff relation$D^{2}+V^{2}\leq 1$known as complementarity [1]–[3]. There are a lot of studies about the complementary nature of photons from various viewpoints such as delayed-choice experiments, theoretical works related to the uncertainty principle, and so on. More recently, studies have expanded the concept of the wave-particle duality to higher-order interferometric scenarios, in which the input light includes two or more pho-tons [4], [5]. Despite having a long history, all previous studies have been related to phase correlation of optical states, which reason would be why the main focus in the first place is the investigation of the mysterious quantum nature of a photon, including the superposition principle.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)Jun 26, 20230 citations

A single photon exhibits wave-particle duality in the Young's double-slit interferometer. The duality character-ized by an interference visibility

V

as the wave-like property and a which-path information

D

as the particle-like property has tradeoff relation

D^{2}+V^{2}\leq 1

known as complementarity [1]–[3]. There are a lot of studies about the complementary nature of photons from various viewpoints such as delayed-choice experiments, theoretical works related to the uncertainty principle, and so on. More recently, studies have expanded the concept of the wave-particle duality to higher-order interferometric scenarios, in which the input light includes two or more pho-tons [4], [5]. Despite having a long history, all previous studies have been related to phase correlation of optical states, which reason would be why the main focus in the first place is the investigation of the mysterious quantum nature of a photon, including the superposition principle.