A modified double slit screen scenario- what would happen?

In summary, this conversation discusses a scenario where a high energy photon is used in the double slit experiment, allowing for its momentum to be measured with a mechanical device. This could potentially give information about the photon's path before it reaches the screen, but it also raises questions about the collapse of the wave function. It is noted that this idea was explored by Einstein, but ultimately disproved by Bohr. Additionally, it is mentioned that a large recoil would ruin coherence and give an unpredictable evolution of the wave function.
  • #1
bcrelling
69
2
This scenario is identical to the classic double slit screen experiment except that the photon is at extremely high energy. The energy is so high that the photon's momentum maybe registered by a mechanical measuring device(i.e spring or accelerometer attached to a receiver).

At the moment of emission(before the photon has hit the screen/receiver) the emitter will recoil with the momentum opposite to the photon's. Surely this would give us information about the path of the photon before the photon is registered at the screen/receiver? What stops the wave function from being collapsed?
 
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  • #2
You do not get coherence if the recoil is (at least in theory) sufficient to determine the path, and you do not get interference.
Apart from that, the wavelength of the photon would have to be extremely short, and the slits would have to be far apart. That would ruin double-slit effects anyway.
 
  • #3
bcrelling said:
This scenario is identical to the classic double slit screen experiment except that the photon is at extremely high energy. The energy is so high that the photon's momentum maybe registered by a mechanical measuring device(i.e spring or accelerometer attached to a receiver).

At the moment of emission(before the photon has hit the screen/receiver) the emitter will recoil with the momentum opposite to the photon's. Surely this would give us information about the path of the photon before the photon is registered at the screen/receiver? What stops the wave function from being collapsed?

This is Einstein's Weighable Light Box idea and it was a precursor to the EPR paper. Bohr used Einstein's own Relativity works to show that at each step, there are things such as Time Dilation that must be accounted for in the thought experiment.

Bohr 1, Einstein 0.

CW
 
  • #4
I ate a meatball sandwich today.

Bohr 1, Subway 0

Anywho, is there a quantitative reason why a large recoil would ruin coherence?
 
  • #5
It gives a different evolution of the wavefunction for those two different slits.
Alternative description: The phase would depend strongly on the emission angle in an unpredictable way.
 

1. What is a modified double slit screen scenario?

A modified double slit screen scenario is a scientific experiment that involves shooting particles, such as photons or electrons, through a double slit screen onto a detector. This setup is used to study the wave-particle duality of these particles, as they exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior.

2. How does a modified double slit screen scenario differ from a regular double slit experiment?

In a modified double slit screen scenario, the two slits are often asymmetrical in size, shape, or distance from each other. This modification allows for the study of specific aspects of the particles, such as their spin or polarization.

3. What would happen if the particles were fired one at a time in a modified double slit screen scenario?

If the particles are fired one at a time, they will still create an interference pattern on the detector, indicating their wave-like nature. However, the pattern will build up more slowly compared to when a continuous stream of particles is fired.

4. Can a modified double slit screen scenario be used to study the behavior of all types of particles?

Yes, a modified double slit screen scenario can be used to study the behavior of any type of particle, as long as it can be fired through the slits and detected on the other side.

5. What are the practical applications of a modified double slit screen scenario?

A modified double slit screen scenario has practical applications in various fields, such as quantum mechanics, optics, and materials science. It can also be used to develop new technologies, such as quantum computers, that rely on the wave-like behavior of particles.

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