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Interference Pattern Visualization in Relativistic Regimes: Quantum Decoherence in Slit Experiments

Vander Francisco de Oliveira

Published Mar 22, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

This preprint presents a theoretical and numerical investigation of quantum interference patterns in double-slit experiments under relativistic conditions. The study examines how quantum decoherence manifests across three distinct relativistic regimes (β=0.01, β=0.53, and β=0.999) using the GKSL (Gorini-Kossakowski-Sudarshan-Lindblad) dephasing model. The paper demonstrates that as particles approach light speed, the visibility of interference fringes decreases dramatically due to increased quantum decoherence, with visibility dropping from approximately 1.0 at low velocities to 0.33 at β=0.999. This work contributes to our understanding of the interplay between quantum mechanics and special relativity, with implications for quantum information processing and fundamental physics.

DOI
10.5281/zenodo.19171146

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This preprint presents a theoretical and numerical investigation of quantum interference patterns in double-slit experiments under relativistic conditions. The study examines how quantum decoherence manifests across three distinct relativistic regimes (β=0.01, β=0.53, and β=0.999) using the GKSL (Gorini-Kossakowski-Sudarshan-Lindblad) dephasing model. The paper demonstrates that as particles approach light speed, the visibility of interference fringes decreases dramatically due to increased quantum decoherence, with visibility dropping from approximately 1.0 at low velocities to 0.33 at β=0.999. This work contributes to our understanding of the interplay between quantum mechanics and special relativity, with implications for quantum information processing and fundamental physics.
The double slit experiment provides a classic example of both interference and the effect of observation in quantum physics. When particles are sent individually through a pair of slits, a wave-like interference pattern develops, but no such interference is found when one observes which "path" the particles take. We present a model of interference, dephasing, and measurement-induced decoherence in a one-dimensional version of the double-slit experiment. Using this model, we demonstrate how the loss of interference in the system is correlated with the information gain by the measuring apparatus/observer. In doing so, we give a modern account of measurement in this paradigmatic example of quantum physics that is accessible to students taking quantum mechanics at the graduate or senior undergraduate levels.
We review different attempts to show the decoherence process in double-slit-like experiments both for charged particles (electrons) and for neutral particles with permanent dipole moments. Interference is studied when electrons or atomic systems are coupled to classical or quantum electromagnetic fields. The interaction between the particles and time-dependent fields induces a time-varying Aharonov phase. Averaging over the phase generates a suppression of fringe visibility in the interference pattern. We show that, for suitable experimental conditions, the loss of contrast for dipoles can be almost as large as the corresponding one for coherent electrons and therefore can be observed. We analyse different trajectories in order to show the dependence of the decoherence factor on the velocity of the particles.
Abstract In certain analyses of quantum systems, it is common to disregard the dissipation effect and focus solely on decoherence. This is because decoherence typically occurs on a much shorter timescale compared to dissipation. However, in order to gain insight into the role of dissipation, we examine the interference pattern in a double-slit experiment while considering both effects. To do so, we establish time scales for decoherence and dissipation and acknowledge the possibility of these effects occurring in close proximity. By comparing the relative intensity and fringe visibility between a purely decoherent model and a model that incorporates both decoherence and dissipation, we observe that when the time scales of decoherence and dissipation are similar, there exists a propagation time interval where dissipation contributes to a faster degradation of quantum features compared to the sole influence of decoherence. Hence, it is crucial to consider both decoherence and dissipation effects, especially when their time scales are closely aligned, to gain a comprehensive understanding of quantum behavior.
When individual particles pass through a double slit, a fringe pattern appears on a screen. If an observer detects the path of the particle, the interference fringes disappear. This is called the quantum decoherence. In this paper, we discuss a parameter estimation problem using the quantum decohenrece in the double-slit experiment. As a simple model, we consider a massive scalar field interacting with the particle which have passed through the double slit. The scalar field, as well as the observer, can induce the loss of the fringe pattern of the particle. Because the interference fringes of the particle depend on the field mass and coupling, we can estimate the field parameters from the fringes. For qualitative analysis, we introduce the interferometric visibility of the fringe pattern and the Fisher information (FI) matrix of the field mass and coupling. Using the fringe pattern observed on the distant screen, we derive a simple relation between the visibility and the FI matrix. Also if we focus on FI of the mass, then we find that FI characterizes the wave-particle duality in the double-slit experiment.
Based on the Threshold Chain Reaction Hypothesis, we construct a complex field equation with a nonlinear threshold term and perform numerical simulations of electron double-slit interference. Results show: when the threshold parameter is extremely high (never triggered), the equation reduces to the linear Schrödinger equation, faithfully reproducing standard quantum interference fringes; as the threshold decreases, fringe visibility declines continuously; at very low thresholds, interference vanishes completely, leaving only the single-slit diffraction envelope. This model provides a quantitatively tunable quantum-classical transition mechanism without requiring environmental coupling, offering a new perspective on the quantum measurement problem.
Matter-wave interferometry has been largely studied in the last few years. Usually, the main problem in the analysis of the diffraction experiments is to establish the causes for the loss of coherence observed in the interference pattern. In this work, we use different type of environmental couplings to model a two slit diffraction experiment with massive particles. For each model, we study the effects of decoherence on the interference pattern and define a visibility function that measures the loss of contrast of the interference fringes on a distant screen. Finally, we apply our results to the experimental reported data on massive particles C 70 .