Are Buckyballs Entangled in Double Slit Experiments?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the entanglement of buckyballs in the context of double slit experiments, exploring the relationship between quantum interference and entanglement, as well as the nature of coherence in quantum systems. Participants question the existence of experiments demonstrating entanglement with buckyballs and seek clarification on related concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire whether there are experiments that demonstrate entanglement with buckyballs, noting that while single particle interference has been observed, entanglement appears unconfirmed.
  • There is a suggestion that the Wikipedia reference discussing entanglement may not directly relate to buckyballs, leading to confusion about the connection between single particle interference and entanglement.
  • One participant raises a question about the relationship between coherence (i.e., maintaining the same phase) and entanglement, suggesting that coherence is necessary for interference.
  • Another participant discusses the conditions under which interference occurs in double slit experiments, emphasizing that the same quanton interferes with itself, and notes the requirement for phase matching.
  • There is a query regarding why finely tuned and synchronized lasers might not show interference, prompting a response that they do show interference, with a reference provided for further reading.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the entanglement of buckyballs, with no consensus reached on whether such experiments exist. The relationship between coherence and entanglement remains a topic of exploration without clear agreement.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific experimental evidence for buckyball entanglement and the ambiguity in the relationship between coherence and entanglement as discussed by participants.

San K
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_entanglement#cite_note-0"

Quantum entanglement occurs when electrons, molecules even as large as "buckyballs", photons, etc., interact physically and then become separated;

Is there an experiment where bucky balls are entangled?

Many of us have heard about bucky balls showing single particle interference in a double slit experiment. However I have not heard of them being entangled.

I read the reference [1] for the above quote and it is referring to double slit as well, there is no mention of bucky balls being entangled.

or

Is the above quote saying that the two waves-functions in a double slit are entangled?
 
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San K said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_entanglement#cite_note-0"
Is there an experiment where bucky balls are entangled?

Many of us have heard about bucky balls showing single particle interference in a double slit experiment. However I have not heard of them being entangled.

I read the reference [1] for the above quote and it is referring to double slit as well, there is no mention of bucky balls being entangled.

or

Is the above quote saying that the two waves-functions in a double slit are entangled?

"buckyballs" is not in my dictionnary. Please be more explicit.

In most experiments with double slits - but some very finely tuned and synchronized lasers - the same quanton interferes with itself. The same photon, with the rare exceptions quoted above. The same electron, with no exceptions, the same neutron, with no exception : they are fermions. The only one condition at arrival on the absorber is that both branches of path give the same phase at 2k\pi.
Of course one quanton - whichever it be, photon or electron or else - has only one absorber, and you only retrieve the familiar macroscopic picture of interference fringes by repeating on many of these shoots.
 
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Jacques_L said:
"buckyballs" is not in my dictionnary. Please be more explicit.

In most experiments with double slits - but some very finely tuned and synchronized lasers - the same quanton interferes with itself. The same photon, with the rare exceptions quoted above. The same electron, with no exceptions, the same neutron, with no exception : they are fermions. The only one condition at arrival on the absorber is that both branches of path give the same phase at 2k\pi.
Of course one quanton - whichever it be, photon or electron or else - has only one absorber, and you only retrieve the familiar macroscopic picture of interference fringes by repeating on many of these shoots.

Hello Jacques,

to answer your question...buckyballs are fullerene/carbon molecules.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullerene"

however my question is more about the following:

1. scientist have been able to show single particle (self-)interference with carbon molecules. these are thousands of times larger than photons/electrons etc.

however I have not heard of carbon molecules being entangled. yet the Wikipedia link above mentions entanglement. so I am thinking are they referring to single particle interference and somehow relating that to entanglement?

2. in other words, is there a relationship between coherence (i.e. same phase) and entanglement?

we know, and as you said above, coherence (at 2kpi) is needed for interference.

3. on a separate topic: you got me curious, why would very finely tuned and synchronized lasers, not show interference?
 
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San K said:
... why would very finely tuned and synchronized lasers, not show interference?

They do :
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:AZtqb35tanAJ:hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/56/39/08/PS/CRAS_Laser_IFRAF_11_02_06_arxiv.ps+cache:7VN0_F2KezgJ:www.lkb.ens.fr/Publications,549+ultra+cold+atoms+Kastler+laser&cd=9&hl=fr&ct=clnk&gl=fr&source=www.google.fr
Otherwise in PS format :
http://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/56/39/08/PS/CRAS_Laser_IFRAF_11_02_06_arxiv.ps
 
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