Criss-cross multiple double slit experiment paths?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of criss-crossing multiple double slit experiment paths to investigate the behavior of observed and free particles. Participants explore whether this setup would yield traditional interference patterns or produce new phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the necessity of criss-crossing paths, suggesting that existing multi-slit and diffraction grating experiments already address the inquiry into interference patterns.
  • One participant argues that a particle's wavefunction interferes only with itself, implying that mixing paths of observed and free particles would not yield new results, as interactions would likely disrupt any interference pattern.
  • Another participant notes that while interference between two laser beams is possible under certain conditions, this does not apply to particles in the same way, emphasizing the uniqueness of particle behavior.
  • There is mention of the Pfleegor and Mandel experiment, which illustrates interference under specific conditions, but this is presented as an exception rather than a counter to the original proposal.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the potential outcomes of criss-crossing double slit paths, with some asserting that no interesting results would arise, while others suggest that the inquiry itself may be redundant given existing experiments.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include assumptions about particle behavior and the conditions under which interference occurs. The discussion does not resolve the implications of mixing observed and free particle paths.

pittsburghjoe
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
Has someone attempted to criss-cross multiple double slit experiment paths? The purpose would be to mix paths of observed and free particles. I want to know if clumps and fringes appear everywhere or we would get something new.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
pittsburghjoe said:
Has someone attempted to criss-cross multiple double slit experiment paths? The purpose would be to mix paths of observed and free particles. I want to know if clumps and fringes appear everywhere or we would get something new.

Cross-cross multiple double slits? Mix paths of observed and free particles?

What are these?

If you want interference patterns from multiple slits, what is wrong with the current multi-slit experiments that we already have? Diffraction grating experiments are almost standard intro physics lab exercise.

Zz.
 
Nothing interesting would happen. A particle's wavefunction interferes only with itself, not with another's, even of the same type. So the only effect would be that two particles from the two "criss-crossed emitters" (so to speak) might collide, or influence each other's path by electromagnetic repulsion if they had a charge. That would simply cause them not to hit the detector (probably) and, if they did, probably destroy the interference pattern. Of course with photons there would be effect at all.

PS @ZapperZ, he means to put two emitter / detectors at right angles to each other so the paths cross. if you want to be a teacher you have to learn to speak studentese.
 
secur said:
A particle's wavefunction interferes only with itself, not with another's, even of the same type.
You cannot distinguish identical particles.
You can have interference between two laser beams if their phases are coupled, or if the coherence length is long enough. You can even go further and reduce the laser intensities so much that detecting two photons at the same time is unlikely. Pfleegor and Mandel, 1967.

You can have the same effect, but easier to produce, with radio waves.
 
mfb said:
You can have interference between two laser beams if their phases are coupled, or if the coherence length is long enough.

Of course, we all know that. I didn't feel any need to go into those exceptional cases, and OP's response shows I was right not to bother.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Which-Path from Global Momentum Measurement in Double Slit
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Undergrad Double-dark Slit Interference Pattern?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Undergrad Single vs. Double slit coherence clarification please
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School Double-slit experiment and time
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
Undergrad Double Slit Experiment: Measurement versus Observation
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Classic 'Double-Slit' Experiment Using Time Instead of Space
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Is There A Study Showing The Observer Effect Ignoring Conscious Intent?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
Undergrad "Wave-particle duality" and double-slit experiment
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
9K
Undergrad Double-slit experiment, determining which slit an electron passed thru
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
Undergrad Does a qubit break interference in the double slit experiment?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K