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arXiv:quant-ph/0006077 · Optics and Spectroscopy

Are interaction-free measurements interaction free?

Lev Vaidman A

Published Sep 1, 2001• 13 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

In 1993, Elitzur and Vaidman introduced the concept of interaction-free measurements, which allowed finding objects without “touching” them. In the proposed method, since the objects were not touched, even by photons, thus, the interaction-free measurements can be called “seeing in the dark.” Since then, several experiments have been successfully performed and various modifications were suggested. Recently, however, the validity of the term “interaction-free” has been questioned. The criticism of the name is briefly reviewed and the meaning of the interaction-free measurements is clarified.

DOI
10.1134/1.1405211

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In 1993, Elitzur and Vaidman introduced the concept of interaction-free measurements, which allowed finding objects without “touching” them. In the proposed method, since the objects were not touched, even by photons, thus, the interaction-free measurements can be called “seeing in the dark.” Since then, several experiments have been successfully performed and various modifications were suggested. Recently, however, the validity of the term “interaction-free” has been questioned. The criticism of the name is briefly reviewed and the meaning of the interaction-free measurements is clarified.
"Interaction-free measurements" (IFM) originate from the latest quantum interferometric technologies. The latest research of quantum optics demonstrates, by using the complementary wavelike and particlelike natures of photons, it is possible to make interaction-free measurements by which the presence of an object can be determined with no photons being absorbed. The paper introduces the concept of "Interaction-free Measurement" (IFM), the original Elitzur-Vaidman scheme, the "High Efficiency Interaction-free Measurement", the application of quantum Zeno effect and the improved scheme proposed by Kwiat et al. The EV scheme is implemented in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Theoretically this paper also draws a conclusion in IFM feasibility by analyzing the wave functions of photon at various locations in the interferometer.
Recently, it has been pointed out that it is possible to make a quantum-mechanical interaction-free measurement (IFM), in which the existence of an object in a given region of space may be determined seemingly without interacting with it.1,2 In the embodiment first proposed by Elitzur and Vaidman,3 a standard Michelson interferometer is aligned so that incident single photons (obtained in our experiment by using parametric downconversion; see Fig. 1) must exit by the same port in which they entered, in the absence of any object within the interferometer. The presence of an object (e.g., the mirror leading to detector DB) in one of the arms completely changes the possible outcomes because the constructive interference is interrupted. Now it is possible that the photon will exit from the other exit port, to detector DIfm. By detecting the photon in this case, one can claim with certainty that an object was within the interferometer, even though the photon could not have interacted with it. If the beam splitter has a very low reflectivity, then the fraction of IFMs approaches 1/2.
In the early 1990's A. Elitzur and L. Vaidman proposed an interaction free measurement (IFM) that allows researchers to find infinitely fragile objects without destroying them. But Elitzur-Vaidman IFM has been used only to determine the position of opaque objects. In this paper, we propose an extension of such a technique that allows measurement of classical electric and magnetic fields. Our main goal is to offer a framework for future investigations about the role of the measurement processes, expanding the physical properties that are measurable by means of IFM.
I shall discuss two recently suggested quantum experiments. These experiments lead to paradoxical situations. I will argue that in the framework of a particular Many Worlds Interpretation of quantum theory the paradoxes do not arise. The first experiment is the “interaction-free measurement” (Elitzur and Vaidman 1993). The experimental group at Innsbruck headed by Prof. Zeilinger is working now on its realization. Before describing the experiment let me discuss a general question: “How do we know that there is an object in a region of space?” The simplest case is when the object itself causes some physical changes outside the region: i) The object is charged, so there is a field outside. We can measure this field. ii) The object yields a potential outside. Aharonov and Bohm have taught us that potential even without field leads to a measurable effect. iii) The objects radiates photons or other particles.