A two-fold quantum delayed-choice experiment

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of a two-fold quantum delayed-choice experiment, with participants exploring the implications of various articles on the topic. The focus includes understanding the experimental setup, the role of which-path detectors, and the interpretation of interference patterns.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that there are simpler delayed choice experiments available than the one linked in the original post.
  • One participant expresses confusion regarding the presence of interference fringes when a beam splitter (BS_2) is included, stating their understanding is that all clicks would occur at detector D_1 instead.
  • A participant clarifies that the experiment they intended to discuss involves a two-fold delayed-choice procedure, highlighting the role of a which-path detector (WPD) and its quantum properties in erasing which-path information.
  • Another participant notes the importance of distinguishing between erasure and post-selection, suggesting that discussions may sometimes conflate the two concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit varying interpretations of the delayed-choice experiment and the implications of the WPD, indicating that multiple competing views remain. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the understanding of interference patterns or the nature of erasure in quantum experiments.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the definitions and implications of terms like "erasure" and "post-selection," which may affect their interpretations of the experimental results. There are also references to specific articles that may not be universally understood among all participants.

TJung
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Hello everyone, I am not a physicist but I have been studying this subject. I came across an article and I'm having trouble understanding. I would appreciate if you could help me.

https://arxiv.org/pdf/1103.0117v2.pdf

Thanks.
 
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TJung said:
Hello everyone, I am not a physicist but I have been studying this subject. I came across an article and I'm having trouble understanding. I would appreciate if you could help me.

https://arxiv.org/pdf/1103.0117v2.pdf

Thanks.
If what you are interest in is the delayed choice experiment there are easier ones than your link (look around the web until one strikes your fancy).
In the 2nd paragraph of the body he says that you will notice interference fringes if BS_2 is present. That is not my understanding (whatever it means), rather all clicks will happen at D_1.
 
Zafa Pi said:
If what you are interest in is the delayed choice experiment there are easier ones than your link (look around the web until one strikes your fancy).
In the 2nd paragraph of the body he says that you will notice interference fringes if BS_2 is present. That is not my understanding (whatever it means), rather all clicks will happen at D_1.

Thanks for the reply Zafa. I've seen a lot of delayed choice experiments, but this one adds something.
Actually the experiment I was referring to is this one. My mistake in the first post, the one there is justa gedanken experiment, very similar.

https://arxiv.org/pdf/1608.04908.pdf

Here some intertesting things:

*WPD = which-path detector

"The quantum properties of the WPD allows erasure of the which- path information associated with the post-selected particle- like behavior, implementing a two-fold delayed-choice pro- cedure and illustrating the wave-particle complementarity in an unprecedented manner."

"The two-fold delayed-choice procedure provides a clear demonstration that the behavior with or without interference is not a realistic property of the test system: It depends not only on the delayed choice of the WPD’s state, but also on how we later measure the WPD and correlate the outcomes with the data of the test system."
 
TJung said:
Hello everyone, I am not a physicist but I have been studying this subject. I came across an article and I'm having trouble understanding. I would appreciate if you could help me.

https://arxiv.org/pdf/1103.0117v2.pdf

Thanks.

Quirk will happily simulate the circuit from that paper for you for various parameters:

dc-circuit.gif


It can also do the circuits from the other paper.

One thing you need to watch out for in these experiments is: when they say erasure, do they mean post-selection? Often they end up talking about the amazing powers of accidentally cherry-picking data instead of talking about quantum mechanics specifically.
 

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