Double slit as a function of time

[dom_quixote]

It is known that in the double slit experiment, when successive photons are fired, the photons are statistically distributed on the target screen, as if it were a wave.
What is the variable that changes between one shot of and another? Probably the slits change places as a function of time.

 

[anuttarasammyak]

A photon interferes with itself, not with other photons. Please find below the video of excellent double slit experiment of electron by electron, https://www.hitachi.com/rd/research/materials/quantum/doubleslit/index.html

 

[Demystifier]

What is the variable that changes between one shot of and another?

Nobody really knows. A standard answer is that nothing changes, except the final measurement outcome which is intrinsically random. But if you are not satisfied with such an answer, you are not alone. Some physicists study a hypothesis that there are some hidden variables which change, but since they are hidden we don't know for sure what they really are and if they really exist.

 

[DennisN]

Probably the slits change places as a function of time.

Maybe I misunderstand you... but if you mean that the slits change places with eachother, then no, they don't.
The slits in a basic, standard double slit experiment are two rectangular holes in some material (usually thin), and you can distinguish the two slits with your eyes.

 

[dom_quixote]

All molecules in the measurement system are vibrating at the white noise frequency.

 

[Dale]

All molecules in the measurement system are vibrating at the white noise frequency.

Personal speculation is not permitted. Do you have a peer reviewed paper that shows an excess temperature dependence of the interference pattern.

 

[obtronix]

It is known that in the double slit experiment, when successive photons are fired, the photons are statistically distributed on the target screen, as if it were a wave.
What is the variable that changes between one shot of and another? Probably the slits change places as a function of time.

It's a quantum mechanics postulate that the particle is in a super position state. With different probabilities for different positions when observed.

This postulate cannot be derived from a set of variables.

 

[anuttarasammyak]

Repeating the observations under the same prepared states, the results are not unique but varied. QM stantds on such an essentially probabilistic nature. However, QM provides the characterisics of pattern of the variation, e.g. standard deviatiation, definitely.

 

[vanhees71]

Personal speculation is not permitted. Do you have a peer reviewed paper that shows an excess temperature dependence of the interference pattern.

I don't think that this is personal speculation, but indeed a physical effect. Of course the thermal noise in a standard double-slit experiment is not visible due to the usual resolution of the used detectors. However, if it comes to high precision, as, e.g., with the LIGO detectors, one can observe even the much smaller quantum fluctuations of the harmonic oscillator formed by the mirrors. So it's just a matter of detector resolution, whether you observe thermal or even quantum fluctuations.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2420-8

 

[Dale]

I don't think that this is personal speculation, but indeed a physical effect.

Then they should be able to produce a peer reviewed paper showing the effect they are discussing. I don’t think they are talking about what you are. I think they are trying to say that the interference in a standard double slit experiment is driven primarily by thermal motion.

Let them find a reference that establishes what they are claiming.