Wavefunction collapse - experimental proof?

In summary, the conversation discusses the topic of the famous double slit electron behavior and the search for experimental proof of wavefunction collapse. One participant mentions finding papers on electron diffraction and interference patterns, while another suggests looking into quantum decoherence. Eventually, the conversation leads to the mention of a 1989 experiment by Hitachi demonstrating single-electron interference patterns.
  • #1
maxydelanoche
2
0
Have you recently came across and remember titles of papers about real experiments concerning the famous double slit electron behaviour?

I have found some about electron diffraction, but I'm still looking for those that showed how interference pattern is broken when we watch where the electron goes. Could anyone help? I just keep wondering how they managed to prove these cool things experimentally - directly on those small scales, or somehow indirectly, or...? :)
 
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  • #4
A version of the double slit with only one electron present in the setup at any time was performed in 1989 by researchers from Hitachi ("Demonstration of single‐electron buildup of an interference pattern", American Journal of Physics 57, 117 (1989)).

A short video clip describing the experiment can still be found on the Hitachi webpage: http://www.hitachi.com/rd/research/em/doubleslit.html
 

Related to Wavefunction collapse - experimental proof?

1. What is wavefunction collapse?

Wavefunction collapse is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics that describes the sudden change in the probability distribution of a particle's location or state when it is observed. This collapse occurs when a measurement is made on a system, causing it to "choose" one of its possible states.

2. Is there experimental proof of wavefunction collapse?

Yes, there is experimental evidence for wavefunction collapse. The most famous experiment is the double-slit experiment, where a single particle behaves like a wave until it is observed, at which point it collapses into a single position. This phenomenon has been observed in countless experiments and is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics.

3. How is wavefunction collapse related to the observer effect?

The observer effect refers to the idea that the act of observing a system affects the system itself. In the case of wavefunction collapse, the act of observation causes the wavefunction to collapse into a single state. This is a clear example of the observer effect in quantum mechanics.

4. Can wavefunction collapse be explained by other theories?

There are some alternative interpretations of quantum mechanics that attempt to explain the phenomenon of wavefunction collapse without invoking the concept of an observer. However, these theories are not widely accepted and do not have as much experimental evidence to support them as the traditional interpretation of wavefunction collapse.

5. How does wavefunction collapse affect our understanding of reality?

The concept of wavefunction collapse challenges our classical understanding of reality, where objects have well-defined properties at all times. In the quantum world, properties such as location and momentum are only defined when they are observed. This has profound implications for our understanding of the nature of reality and continues to be a topic of debate and research among scientists.

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