Carrier wave double slit experiment

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a modified double slit experiment designed to investigate the presence of a carrier wave affecting photon interference patterns. Key modifications include adjusting slit paths to create a significant difference in distance, using a shutter to synchronize photon emission and detection, and selectively retaining photons based on their travel path. The conclusion drawn is that knowledge of the photon's path eliminates interference, suggesting that the experiment cannot definitively rule out the existence of a carrier wave influencing the observed patterns.

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  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles, specifically wave-particle duality.
  • Familiarity with the double slit experiment and its implications in physics.
  • Knowledge of photon behavior and detection methods.
  • Experience with experimental design in physics, particularly in controlling variables.
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  • Research the implications of wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics.
  • Explore advanced concepts in quantum interference and measurement theory.
  • Investigate the role of information in quantum experiments, particularly in relation to the observer effect.
  • Study variations of the double slit experiment and their outcomes in different conditions.
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Physicists, quantum mechanics students, and researchers interested in the foundational principles of wave-particle duality and experimental physics.

kurt101
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If you created the following double slit experiment would you still see interference?

1) Modify the slits so that the path from photon source through one of the slits to the detector is much shorter than the path through the other slit.
2) put a shutter in front of the photon source so that you can precisely coordinate photons leaving the source with photons arriving at the detector.
3) After opening the shutter. only keep the photons that could have arrived through the shortest path.
4) Close the shutter long enough for photons to stop arriving at the detector and repeat starting at the previous step until you get a pattern.

The purpose of the experiment is to make sure there is not a carrier wave initiated at the photon source that causes the interference pattern you see in the double slit experiment.
 
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It occurred to me right after I wrote the question that because you have knowledge of which way the photon took you would not get interference. So based on this experiment you could not eliminate the possibility that there is a carrier wave.
 

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