Carrier wave double slit experiment

In summary, by modifying the slits and using a shutter to control the arrival of photons at the detector, the proposed experiment aims to eliminate any potential carrier wave that may cause the interference pattern in the double slit experiment. However, the knowledge of the photon's path would prevent interference and leave the possibility of a carrier wave unconfirmed.
  • #1
kurt101
284
35
If you created the following double slit experiment would you still see interference?

1) Modify the slits so that the path from photon source through one of the slits to the detector is much shorter than the path through the other slit.
2) put a shutter in front of the photon source so that you can precisely coordinate photons leaving the source with photons arriving at the detector.
3) After opening the shutter. only keep the photons that could have arrived through the shortest path.
4) Close the shutter long enough for photons to stop arriving at the detector and repeat starting at the previous step until you get a pattern.

The purpose of the experiment is to make sure there is not a carrier wave initiated at the photon source that causes the interference pattern you see in the double slit experiment.
 
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  • #2
It occurred to me right after I wrote the question that because you have knowledge of which way the photon took you would not get interference. So based on this experiment you could not eliminate the possibility that there is a carrier wave.
 

1. What is a carrier wave double slit experiment?

A carrier wave double slit experiment is an experiment in which a carrier wave, such as a radio wave or light wave, is used to study the wave-like behavior of particles, such as electrons, as they pass through a double slit. The experiment is used to demonstrate the wave-particle duality of particles.

2. How does the experiment work?

In the experiment, a source of particles is directed towards a barrier with two parallel slits. On the other side of the barrier is a screen where the particles are detected. The carrier wave is sent through one of the slits and interacts with the particles, causing them to diffract and interfere with each other as they pass through the other slit. This creates an interference pattern on the screen, demonstrating the wave-like behavior of the particles.

3. What does the interference pattern tell us?

The interference pattern on the screen tells us that the particles are behaving like waves, as they are exhibiting interference and diffraction. This supports the theory of wave-particle duality, which states that particles can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behaviors.

4. How is this experiment relevant to quantum mechanics?

This experiment is relevant to quantum mechanics because it helps to illustrate the fundamental principles of the theory, such as wave-particle duality and the probabilistic nature of particles. It also provides evidence for the concept of superposition, where particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously.

5. What are the practical applications of this experiment?

The carrier wave double slit experiment has practical applications in various fields, such as telecommunications, where the understanding of wave behavior is crucial. It is also used in the development of new technologies, such as quantum computing, which relies on the principles of quantum mechanics. Additionally, the experiment has been used to study the behavior of particles in various systems, providing insights into the nature of matter.

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