Two Slit Interference Experiment Variations

In summary, various two slit interference experiments have been conducted to test the principles of Quantum Mechanics. These experiments involve measurements under special conditions such as light intensity, timing of irradiations, and polarizations. Some interesting experiments include the first double slit experiment of electrons done one by one, as well as Young's interference experiment with single photons. These experiments tend to support the principles of Quantum Mechanics, as they have shown interference patterns even with only one photon present in the apparatus. Further research and collection of references on these experiments would be useful in understanding the behavior of particles at the quantum level.
  • #1
Chas Tennis
24
4
TL;DR Summary
Many two slit experiments were done to test Quantum Mechanics.
Some two slit interference experiments involve measurements under special circumstances of light intensity, timing of irradiations, polarizations, etc. For example, for light intensity where only one photon is in the apparatus, interference was observed. A collection of references to these various interesting experiments would be useful.
Examples that have references to special two slit experiments :
https://sciencedemonstrations.fas.harvard.edu/presentations/single-photon-interference

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-slit_experiment

If you have an opinion on what you think the experiments tend to support and what they do not tend to support, please comment.

From the 1st example above,
"Comments:
Strictly speaking, we are not detecting single photons of light but rather single photoelectrons, liberated by the light impinging on the CCD.
......."

Note: searching with Google Scholar is very helpful.

Please post references.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #3
anuttarasammyak said:
AFAIK the video in website https://www.hitachi.com/rd/research/materials/quantum/doubleslit/index.html
is the first double slit experiment of electrons done one by one. I love it.
Nature Scientific Reports -

Google Search title and the full publication is available.

Interference experiment with asymmetric double slit by using1.2-MV field emission transmission electron microscope.

Ken Harada1,3, Tetsuya Akashi2,4, Kodai Niitsu 1, Keiko Shimada1, Yoshimasa A. Ono1,Daisuke Shindo1,5, Hiroyuki Shinada2 & Shigeo Mori3

Abstract
Advanced electron microscopy technologies have made it possible to perform precise double-slit interference experiments. We used a 1.2-MV field emission electron microscope providing coherent electron waves and a direct detection camera system enabling single-electron detections at a sub-second exposure time. We developed a method to perform the interference experiment by using an asymmetric double-slit fabricated by a focused ion beam instrument and by operating the microscope under a “pre-Fraunhofer” condition, different from the Fraunhofer condition of conventional double-slit experiments. Here, pre-Fraunhofer condition means that each single-slit observation was performed under the Fraunhofer condition, while the double-slit observations were performed under the Fresnel condition. The interference experiments with each single slit and with the asymmetric double slit were carried out under two different electron dose conditions: high-dose for calculation of electron probability distribution and low-dose for each single electron distribution. Finally, we exemplified the distribution of single electrons by color-coding according to the above three types of experiments as a composite image.
 
  • Like
Likes anuttarasammyak
  • #4
I find another early demonstration on photon.

Young's interference experiment with single photons (Hamamatsu Photonics, 1982)

 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes Chas Tennis
  • #5
Chas Tennis said:
TL;DR Summary: Many two slit experiments were done to test Quantum Mechanics.
Some two slit interference experiments involve measurements under special circumstances of light intensity, timing of irradiations, polarizations, etc. For example, for light intensity where only one photon is in the apparatus, interference was observed. A collection of references to these various interesting experiments would be useful.

Examples that have references to special two slit experiments :
https://sciencedemonstrations.fas.harvard.edu/presentations/single-photon-interference

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-slit_experiment

If you have an opinion on what you think the experiments tend to support and what they do not tend to support, please comment.

From the 1st example above,
"Comments:
Strictly speaking, we are not detecting single photons of light but rather single photoelectrons, liberated by the light impinging on the CCD.
......."

Note: searching with Google Scholar is very helpful.

Please post references.

Publication from the OP reference.

Young’s double-slit experiment with single photons and quantum eraser

Wolfgang Rueckner and Joseph Peidle
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138(Received 25 January 2012; accepted 19 August 2013)

Abstract
An apparatus for a double-slit interference experiment in the single-photon regime is described. The apparatus includes a which-path marker that destroys the interference as well as a quantum eraser that restores it. We present data taken with several light sources, coherent and incoherent and discuss the efficacy of these as sources of single photons. VC 2013 American Association of Physics Teachers.

https://sciencedemonstrations.fas.h...-demonstrations/files/single_photon_paper.pdf
 

1. What is the Two Slit Interference Experiment?

The Two Slit Interference Experiment is a classic experiment in physics that demonstrates the wave-like nature of light. It involves shining a beam of light through two parallel slits onto a screen, and observing the resulting interference pattern.

2. How does the interference pattern change in different variations of the experiment?

In the basic version of the experiment, the interference pattern consists of alternating bright and dark fringes. However, in variations such as the Young's double slit experiment, the pattern may have additional fringes or a different shape depending on the setup.

3. What factors affect the interference pattern in the Two Slit Interference Experiment?

The interference pattern is affected by several factors, including the wavelength of light, the distance between the slits, and the distance between the slits and the screen. Changing any of these variables can alter the pattern in different ways.

4. How does the Two Slit Interference Experiment relate to the wave-particle duality of light?

The Two Slit Interference Experiment is often used to illustrate the concept of wave-particle duality, which states that light can behave as both a wave and a particle. In this experiment, the interference pattern is evidence of the wave-like behavior of light, while the individual impacts on the screen demonstrate its particle-like nature.

5. What practical applications does the Two Slit Interference Experiment have?

The Two Slit Interference Experiment has many practical applications, including in the development of optical devices such as diffraction gratings and holograms. It is also used in various fields of research, such as quantum mechanics and optics, to study the properties of light and matter.

Similar threads

  • Quantum Physics
Replies
14
Views
1K
Replies
32
Views
2K
Replies
19
Views
960
Replies
1
Views
648
Replies
28
Views
569
  • Quantum Physics
2
Replies
36
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
785
Replies
1
Views
735
Replies
5
Views
983
Replies
7
Views
1K
Back
Top