Can we really observe the average trajectories of single photons?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pythagorean
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Observer
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a study by Sacha Kocsis and colleagues, published in Science, which explores the behavior of single photons in a two-slit interferometer. The key point is the challenge to the principle of complementarity, which traditionally states that photons exhibit either particle-like or wave-like behavior depending on the measurement type, but not both simultaneously. The experiment suggests that photons can exhibit both behaviors concurrently, indicating a potential shift in understanding quantum mechanics. The conversation also touches on the playful creation of the term "wave-icle" to describe this dual behavior, highlighting the ongoing exploration and debate within the field regarding the nature of light and quantum phenomena.
Pythagorean
Science Advisor
Messages
4,416
Reaction score
327
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110602143159.htm

Sacha Kocsis, Boris Braverman, Sylvain Ravets, Martin J. Stevens, Richard P. Mirin, L. Krister Shalm, Aephraim M. Steinberg. Observing the Average Trajectories of Single Photons in a Two-Slit Interferometer. Science, 2011; 332 (6034): 1170-1173 DOI: 10.1126/science.1202218
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Ok, I will bite, do you feel "suggests" is too strongly worded, that behavior of a "wave-icle" (hey, I think I just invented a new word !) is wishful thinking, or that it exists, can be described in the first place ?
Complementarity states that observing particle-like or wave-like behaviour in the double-slit experiment depends on the type of measurement made: the system cannot behave as both a particle and wave simultaneously. Steinberg's recent experiment suggests :redface: this doesn't have to be the case: the system can behave as both.

Rhody...

P.S. Crap, someone already http://www.unwords.com/unword/waveicle.html" it, without the hypen. :blushing:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
rhody said:
P.S. Crap, someone already http://www.unwords.com/unword/waveicle.html" it, without the hypen. :blushing:
That's because it's impossible to invent a new word and use it at the same time.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Thread 'Predictions for the Nobel Prize in Physics 2025'

Similar to the 2024 thread, here I start the 2025 thread. As always it is getting increasingly difficult to predict, so I will make a list based on other article predictions. You can also leave your prediction here. Here are the predictions of 2024 that did not make it: Peter Shor, David Deutsch and all the rest of the quantum computing community (various sources) Pablo Jarrillo Herrero, Allan McDonald and Rafi Bistritzer for magic angle in twisted graphene (various sources) Christoph...
View full post »
Thread 'My experience as a hostage'

Thread 'My experience as a hostage'

I believe it was the summer of 2001 that I made a trip to Peru for my work. I was a private contractor doing automation engineering and programming for various companies, including Frito Lay. Frito had purchased a snack food plant near Lima, Peru, and sent me down to oversee the upgrades to the systems and the startup. Peru was still suffering the ills of a recent civil war and I knew it was dicey, but the money was too good to pass up. It was a long trip to Lima; about 14 hours of airtime...
View full post »

Similar threads

What are the implications of this experiment?
6
Replies
270
Views
44K
Tracking Photons in a Double Slit Experiment
Replies
1
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top