Which kind of and how much disruption to the symmetry of double-slit is necessary to produce the fringe pattern changes as conjectured to have seemingly manifested psychophysical faculty?
Lay Summary Whether and how consciousness could affect a physical system is a fundamental question. Radin et al (Radin et al 2012, 2013) reported that consciousness could perturb the fringe pattern of the classical experiment of double-slit illuminated by a laser beam. In understanding the possible physical cause to the observed change of the fringe, Radin et al modeled that the light intensity passing a slit subjected to consciousness intention could have changed. By using computer simulation based on standard wave approaches to light, we demonstrate that the extent of the change to the double-slit fringe as reported by Radin et al can be caused by a spectral perturbation to the light, which would take only approximately times of the energy change pertinent to the intensity change as was modeled by Radin et al. This indicates that the intensity change as modeled was unlikely the physical precursor to the observed effect. Scientific Abstract Significance: Recent reports [Radin 2012, Radin 2013] on variations to the fringe visibility of the interference patterns of laser-engaged double-slit experiments that seemed inexplicable at the absence of psychophysical influences have elicited notable debates within the scientific community and substantial interest in the lay population. In accounting for the observed changes of fringe pattern, Radin et al. modeled that the electrical field of the light passing the two slits might have reached an asymmetry of 3:1 in comparison to the generally symmetric baseline. However, a change to the double-slit interference fringe could have multiple causes. Identifying the most plausible cause to the fringe-pattern changes as were reported is fundamental to the understanding of the nature of psychophysical effect should it exist. Aim: To theorize an alternative interpretation to the fringe pattern changes of the double-slit interference that could be substantially more plausible than the one conjectured by Radin et al. Approach: We implement computer simulations of double-slit fringe pattern based on the Huygens-Fresnel principle using the primary experimental geometrical parameters of Radin et al. to assess how an asymmetry of the double-slit configuration could affect the fringe visibility. Specifically, we assess how an asymmetry in the physical size properties (slit-width and the lateral offset of the slit-center) and the photonic/spectral properties (intensity, wavelength, and spectral bandwidth) between the two slits would affect the fringe pattern. Fourier transformation of the double-slit interference fringe is also conducted when prompted to infer differences between fringe patterns that may be grossly equivocal in terms of the fringe visibility. Results: The main result is that the normalized interference fringe corresponding to the asymmetry of the electrical field of 3/1 or 1/3:1 is grossly indifferent from that caused by an asymmetry of the spectral bandwidth of 0.00205nm between the two slits at 6328nm center wavelength. A spectral broadening of 0.00205nm centered at 632.8nm would take approximately times of the energy of reducing the electrical field of light of that slit to 1/3 to reach a 3:1 inter-slit ratio of the electrical field. This 0.00205nm spectral broadening of the light could be associated with an energy change of no more than 10 picowatts for the experimental setting utilized by Radin et al. Conclusions: A change to the fringe pattern in the double-slit of Radin et al that was fitted with a 3:1 asymmetry of the electrical field between the two slits could be modeled alternatively by an asymmetry of ~0.00205nm in the spectral bandwidth between the two slits. The latter one, which would take approximately times of the energy-change of the former one to happen, could be substantially more plausible than the former one in acting as the physical precursor to the deviation of the double-slit fringe from the baseline pattern as reported by Radin et al.
Lay Summary Whether and how consciousness could affect a physical system is a fundamental question. Radin et al (Radin et al 2012, 2013) reported that consciousness could perturb the fringe pattern of the classical experiment of double-slit illuminated by a laser beam. In understanding the possible physical cause to the observed change of the fringe, Radin et al modeled that the light intensity passing a slit subjected to consciousness intention could have changed. By using computer simulation based on standard wave approaches to light, we demonstrate that the extent of the change to the double-slit fringe as reported by Radin et al can be caused by a spectral perturbation to the light, which would take only approximately times of the energy change pertinent to the intensity change as was modeled by Radin et al. This indicates that the intensity change as modeled was unlikely the physical precursor to the observed effect. Scientific Abstract Significance: Recent reports [Radin 2012, Radin 2013] on variations to the fringe visibility of the interference patterns of laser-engaged double-slit experiments that seemed inexplicable at the absence of psychophysical influences have elicited notable debates within the scientific community and substantial interest in the lay population. In accounting for the observed changes of fringe pattern, Radin et al. modeled that the electrical field of the light passing the two slits might have reached an asymmetry of 3:1 in comparison to the generally symmetric baseline. However, a change to the double-slit interference fringe could have multiple causes. Identifying the most plausible cause to the fringe-pattern changes as were reported is fundamental to the understanding of the nature of psychophysical effect should it exist. Aim: To theorize an alternative interpretation to the fringe pattern changes of the double-slit interference that could be substantially more plausible than the one conjectured by Radin et al. Approach: We implement computer simulations of double-slit fringe pattern based on the Huygens-Fresnel principle using the primary experimental geometrical parameters of Radin et al. to assess how an asymmetry of the double-slit configuration could affect the fringe visibility. Specifically, we assess how an asymmetry in the physical size properties (slit-width and the lateral offset of the slit-center) and the photonic/spectral properties (intensity, wavelength, and spectral bandwidth) between the two slits would affect the fringe pattern. Fourier transformation of the double-slit interference fringe is also conducted when prompted to infer differences between fringe patterns that may be grossly equivocal in terms of the fringe visibility. Results: The main result is that the normalized interference fringe corresponding to the asymmetry of the electrical field of 3/1 or 1/3:1 is grossly indifferent from that caused by an asymmetry of the spectral bandwidth of 0.00205nm between the two slits at 6328nm center wavelength. A spectral broadening of 0.00205nm centered at 632.8nm would take approximately times of the energy of reducing the electrical field of light of that slit to 1/3 to reach a 3:1 inter-slit ratio of the electrical field. This 0.00205nm spectral broadening of the light could be associated with an energy change of no more than 10 picowatts for the experimental setting utilized by Radin et al. Conclusions: A change to the fringe pattern in the double-slit of Radin et al that was fitted with a 3:1 asymmetry of the electrical field between the two slits could be modeled alternatively by an asymmetry of ~0.00205nm in the spectral bandwidth between the two slits. The latter one, which would take approximately times of the energy-change of the former one to happen, could be substantially more plausible than the former one in acting as the physical precursor to the deviation of the double-slit fringe from the baseline pattern as reported by Radin et al.
An experiment we conducted from 2012 to 2013, which had not been previously reported, was designed to explore possible psychophysical effects resulting from the interaction of a human mind with a quantum system. Participants focused their attention toward or away from the slits in a double-slit optical system to see if the interference pattern would be affected. Data were collected from 25 people in individual half-hour sessions; each person repeated the test ten times for a total of 250 planned sessions. “Sham” sessions designed to mimic the experimental sessions without observers present were run immediately before and after as controls. Based on the planned analysis, no evidence for a psychophysical effect was found. Because this experiment differed in two essential ways from similar, previously reported double-slit experiments, two exploratory analyses were developed, one based on a simple spectral analysis of the interference pattern and the other based on fringe visibility. For the experimental data, the outcome supported a pattern of results predicted by a causal psychophysical effect, with the spectral metric resulting in a 3.4 sigma effect (p = 0.0003), and the fringe visibility metric resulting in 7 of 22 fringes tested above 2.3 sigma after adjustment for type I error inflation, with one of those fringes at 4.3 sigma above chance (p = 0.00001). The same analyses applied to the sham data showed uniformly null outcomes. Other analyses exploring the potential that these results were due to mundane artifacts, such as fluctuations in temperature or vibration, showed no evidence of such influences. Future studies using the same protocols and analytical methods will be required to determine if these exploratory results are idiosyncratic or reflect a genuine psychophysical influence.
Abstract The double slit test, as it is known, results in a series of alternating streaks of light and dark, presumed to be caused by interfering light waves. Careful comparison of experimental results and mathematical models reveals that the plausible theory of light-wave interference contains many fatal flaws. For example, the mathematical model does not have a mechanism for regularly producing multiple dark streaks. In practice, the spot where the dark streaks should appear is the brightest spot. Since only the electron radiates photons outward as it lowers its energy and returns to its ground state, the photon waves generated in the slit (possibly a vacuum) are of unknown origin. When light waves interfere with each other, photons can be infinitely subdivided and multiplied; After the head of the photon reaches the screen, the rest of the photon can still participate in interference; The effects of reflected light waves that most satisfy the interference conditions are not shown in the fringe. The important influence of polarization direction is not considered in the interference condition. In the causality test, the photon that has collapsed into a particle should be retested with a double slit test. In the causality test, the photon that has collapsed into a particle should be retested with a double slit test. The phenomenon of "observation determines outcome" has also been observed. When the phase is shifted π or the signal is reversed, it becomes a negative wave that cancels itself out. The transmittance of light waves through a double-slit device should not be so weak. As a fundamental physical property, waves must have bandwidth, but light and quantum only have a single frequency, which does not conform to the Fourier transform principle that waves must follow. Light waves in optical fiber communication must produce modulation effect, which has not been shown in reality. If the light waves from different slits interfere with each other, a mask similar to a two-slit device will not allow the lithographer to work properly. A photon whose size is much smaller than the wave length does not represent the whole wave but only represents a sample of the wave, but the corresponding physical properties are not shown. A pair of stars orbiting each other without changing color only proves that redshift is impossible but not that the speed of light is constant. Due to the late birth of radio technology, many physical properties of electromagnetic waves were not included in the light and matter waves proposed earlier. The results of the double slit test only prove that the simple quantum particle model is incorrect but do not provide evidence that the wave model is correct.
Abstract The double slit test, as it is known, results in a series of alternating streaks of light and dark, presumed to be caused by interfering light waves. Careful comparison of experimental results and mathematical models reveals that the plausible theory of light-wave interference contains many fatal flaws. For example, the mathematical model does not have a mechanism for regularly producing multiple dark streaks. In practice, the spot where the dark streaks should appear is the brightest spot. Since only the electron radiates photons outward as it lowers its energy and returns to its ground state, the photon waves generated in the slit (possibly a vacuum) are of unknown origin. When light waves interfere with each other, photons can be infinitely subdivided and multiplied; After the head of the photon reaches the screen, the rest of the photon can still participate in interference; The effects of reflected light waves that most satisfy the interference conditions are not shown in the fringe. The important influence of polarization direction is not considered in the interference condition. In the causality test, the photon that has collapsed into a particle should be retested with a double slit test. In the causality test, the photon that has collapsed into a particle should be retested with a double slit test. The phenomenon of "observation determines outcome" has also been observed. When the phase is shifted π or the signal is reversed, it becomes a negative wave that cancels itself out. The transmittance of light waves through a double-slit device should not be so weak. As a fundamental physical property, waves must have bandwidth, but light and quantum only have a single frequency, which does not conform to the Fourier transform principle that waves must follow. Light waves in optical fiber communication must produce modulation effect, which has not been shown in reality. If the light waves from different slits interfere with each other, a mask similar to a two-slit device will not allow the lithographer to work properly. A photon whose size is much smaller than the wave length does not represent the whole wave but only represents a sample of the wave, but the corresponding physical properties are not shown. A pair of stars orbiting each other without changing color only proves that redshift is impossible but not that the speed of light is constant. Due to the late birth of radio technology, many physical properties of electromagnetic waves were not included in the light and matter waves proposed earlier. The results of the double slit test only prove that the simple quantum particle model is incorrect but do not provide evidence that the wave model is correct.
Abstract If light wave interference is the cause of the double-slit test fringe, several conclusions deduced from this principle, which are far from the objective facts, are as follows: (1) The farther the propagation distance is, the larger the light wave, and therefore the larger the spot. (2) Interference only occurs on the way from the double-slit device to the light target. The longer the optical path is, the more interference points make the pattern brighter. (3) The stripes along the way are continuously modified by interference, and the interference in the whole interval creates the stripes. The pattern of the stripes of the moving light target should change with the distance. (4) Because the principle is exactly the same, interference should be able to cause dispersion. (5) The products of light wave interference should be the new light waves that diffuse around the interference point as the center of the ball. They will not only trigger more interference but also make the increment mode of the light wave form an exponential infinite iterative cycle. This would create a singularity similar to the Big Bang. (6) Dark stripes are generated not by sustainable interference but by one-off annihilation. (7) If the light source is replaced by another wave source, the corresponding results cannot be obtained by double-slit, Michelson–Morley and refraction tests. (8) Let alone a photon passing through two slits at once, since the fringe is much fainter than the source, it proves that unaimed light cannot pass through either slit. (9) It is impossible to generate anything from the interference point of size 0. (10) It is a good method to verify the collapse principle and achievement by a double-slit test with light that has collapsed into particles. (11) The fundamental properties of quantum will challenge the principle of interference. (12) For the phenomenon of "observation can tamper with results", because this phenomenon is also known through observation, it means that it has been tampered with. (13) Only light has the characteristic of polarization, and the absence of this unique characteristic in the interference condition is a fatal flaw. (14) Similar to driving a car, light is refracted by turning the beam toward the side that slows down first. (15) The principles of geometric optics, represented by reflection and focus, are observed only by photons and not by light waves. The principle of generating a wavelet source at the point of contact is a general law that waves obey but not that light waves obey. (16) The wavelet source principle applies only to water waves but not to light waves. (17) Because the direction of vibration and propagation is orthogonal, the s-wave cannot produce the Doppler effect. It is an objective astronomical phenomenon that the double star system orbiting each other does not produce a Doppler effect. This phenomenon cannot be regarded as evidence that the speed of light is constant but only as evidence that all celestial bodies cannot produce the Doppler effect; that is, redshift is a distortion of another astronomical phenomenon. The absorption spectrum of hydrogen is not radiation, and the redshift data are disputed. The redshift cannot turn light into circular magnetic lines. Dark matter provides gravity that could destroy the solar system. Hubble's law without the Doppler effect has no basis. (18) The principle that allows light to travel properly through transparent objects is opposed to opaque ones.
The validity of the assertion that some recent double-slit interference experiments, conducted by Radin et al., would have tested the possible role of the experimenter's mind in the collapse of the quantum wave function, is questioned. It is emphasized that quantum mechanics doesn't need any psychophysical ingredient to explain the measurement processes, and therefore parapsychologists shouldn't resort to the latter to support the possibility of psychokinesis, but search for more convincing explanations.
Abstract Since it was born before its physical achievements, light waves, which have almost no physical properties, are an abstract mathematical concept rather than an objective description. Confused by a set of dark and light streaks and a sketchy schematic that had little to do with the actual result, the double-slit test was misjudged as being caused by interfering light waves, so this plausible principle implied disastrous flaws. For example, (1) Just after passing through the double-slit device, the pattern is generated by light early or before interference. By changing the distance between the device and the screen, the pattern is only scaled synchronously without being reconstructed by interference, and imagined light-wave interference does not occur. (2) Interfering light waves can be subdivided into multiple parts and proliferate greatly. (3) A headless wave of light left outside the screen after the head disappears can still induce much interference. (4) There is no interference effect caused by reflected light waves. (5) The effect of polarization direction on interference is neglected, and the interference condition is incomplete. (6) In the mathematical model, not only are the spots with the highest brightness in the position where dark stripes should appear most, but the principle of generating multiple regular dark stripes cannot be found. (7) Since the quantum property must be carried out in the process of interference, if all conditions are not met at the same time, interference will not be triggered, and therefore, the principle of interference will be rejected. (8) Since light comes only from the radiation of the electron transition, it is impossible to generate a light source in a slit that may be a vacuum. (9) In the causality test, to verify the effect of collapse, the photon that has collapsed into a particle should be tested again with a double slit test. (10) Whether the phenomenon of "observed tampering results" obtained by observation has been tampered with. (11) When the phase is shifted π or the signal is reversed, waves become negative waves capable of annihilating themselves, which is typical of antimatter. In this case, matter and antimatter are conjoined. (12) If the general law of waves is followed, not only the targeted light wave passes through the slit. (13) The original version of the double-slit test cannot be reproduced, and the test results are different from those presented by contemporary technology. (14) Waves must obey Fourier's principle, but light waves, quantum waves and matter waves do not. (15) The modulation effect that waves must produce is not present in optical fiber communication. (16) If the light from different slits must interfere with each other, a mask full of slits will cause the lithographer to fail. (17) Since the size is much smaller than the wavelength, the photon is only a sampling of the light wave, but the corresponding physical properties are not presented. (18) The fact that the two stars orbiting each other do not change color only proves that the phenomenon of redshift is impossible but does not support the inference that the speed of light is constant. (19) The Michelson-Morley test process is not open and transparent enough, and pinhole diffraction and mechanical processing using broken lines instead of curves cannot be ruled out. (20) Kepler's law can block Hubble's law and its derivatives, dark matter and dark energy. In conclusion, Newton's particle model was wrong, but neither was the light wave theory.