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Reducing handling errors on a Mach Zehnder interferometer and illustrating single photon interference

Stavros Rybank, Joakim Storck

Published Jan 1, 2013• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

At Vetenskapens Hus there is an exhibition where single photon interference is demonstrated for younger students, using a Mach Zehnder interferometer, to arouse their interest in physics. This report describes the work done to improve the interferometer for this exhibition by making it user-friendly, less exposed to the risk of handler errors and to create a more interesting experience for the students. In order to accomplish this, custom electronics were made by hand and a user interface was created using LabView. Also, a manual was prepared for the staff at Vetenskapens Hus with instructions of how to work the components of the system and how to align the interferometer correctly.

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At Vetenskapens Hus there is an exhibition where single photon interference is demonstrated for younger students, using a Mach Zehnder interferometer, to arouse their interest in physics. This report describes the work done to improve the interferometer for this exhibition by making it user-friendly, less exposed to the risk of handler errors and to create a more interesting experience for the students. In order to accomplish this, custom electronics were made by hand and a user interface was created using LabView. Also, a manual was prepared for the staff at Vetenskapens Hus with instructions of how to work the components of the system and how to align the interferometer correctly.
As part of developing a Bell’s Inequality Test of Quantum Mechanics laboratory at CWU we have investigated classical interference using a Fabry-Perot and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The classical interference investigation was done using several HeNe lasers of different wavelengths. Optimization of data collection for the classical systems was accomplished by fabricating several pieces: a motorized micrometer platform, building a mount for a piezo electric tube, and building a fringe counting circuit. To investigate quantum interference the same Mach-Zhender interferometer was used but the HeNe laser beam was attenuated. We investigated alternative methods for attenuating the HeNe laser beam. An SBIG ST-7 CCD camera was evaluated for use as a single photon detector and used to collect data from the Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The results were compared with results using a single photon counting module. The results were consistent with the predictions of single photon interference in the Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
Mach–Zehnder interferometers are commonly introduced in quantum mechanics instruction because they can be represented as two-state systems. With the availability of quantum computers in the cloud, we show how one can also simulate these experiments as perfect single-photon experiments, via quantum computer circuits. This simulation provides a great opportunity to bring quantum computation and single-quantum experiments into the physics classroom and to teach quantum computing via simulation rather than computer science-based algorithms.
The phenomenon of interference lies at the heart of quantum physics, and is responsible for many of the unusual aspects of quantum behaviour that deviate from our everyday expectations. Though classical physics allows for waves (e.g. of sound) to interfere, quantum theory allows for interference effects also to affect single particles. One device that demonstrates this experimentally is the Mach-Zehnder interferometer: here a single particle (e.g. a photon) travels down one of two possible paths, and quantum interference between the two paths affects the final position where the particle arrives. In this article, I propose a mechanism to musically demonstrate quantum single-particle interference: the musical Mach-Zehnder interferometer. This new quantum musical instrument makes use of two independently operated electronic keyboards, whose outputs are interfered according to the rules of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer. I discuss the musical possibilities this instrument enables, and outline a method to construct it via software simulation.