Double slit experiment with 2 detectors

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the double slit experiment, specifically the implications of placing detectors at both slits. Participants explore the feasibility and consequences of such an experimental setup, considering both theoretical and practical aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about existing experiments that utilize detectors at both slits, suggesting a perceived gap in the traditional double slit experiment.
  • One participant references the delayed choice quantum eraser experiment, noting that placing detectors at both slits is complicated due to the absorption properties of most detectors, which would prevent particles from passing through.
  • Another participant questions the strangeness of the interference pattern being destroyed if a detector absorbs the wave, suggesting that absorption would lead to out-of-phase waves and thus no interference.
  • Further points highlight the peculiarities of the interference pattern appearing with electrons, which are classically not expected to exhibit wave behavior, and the phenomenon of interference patterns persisting even when particles are sent one at a time.
  • Participants discuss the disappearance of the interference pattern when a non-destructive detector is used, emphasizing the complexities of the experimental setup.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of detector placement and the nature of interference patterns. There is no consensus on the best approach to the experiment or the interpretations of the results.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations related to the absorption characteristics of detectors and the assumptions about wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics. The complexities of experimental design and the interpretations of results remain unresolved.

Splizard
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Can someone please point me to an experiment (photons/electrons/whatever) where detectors were placed on both slits, this seems like a really big hole in the experiment if they stopped at having just the one detector. (Excuse the pun)
 
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Splizard said:
Can someone please point me to an experiment (photons/electrons/whatever) where detectors were placed on both slits
Here's one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_choice_quantum_eraser#The_experiment_of_Kim_et_al._.282000.29

It looks like a complicated way of doing something simple ("Just put a detector in each slot - how hard can that be?") but it has to be done that way because most detectors absorb the detected particle. If we just put a detector in each slit then nothing would get through and we wouldn't have any pattern at all.
 
Nugatory said:
Here's one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_choice_quantum_eraser#The_experiment_of_Kim_et_al._.282000.29

It looks like a complicated way of doing something simple ("Just put a detector in each slot - how hard can that be?") but it has to be done that way because most detectors absorb the detected particle. If we just put a detector in each slit then nothing would get through and we wouldn't have any pattern at all.
If the detector absorbs the wave then what's so strange about the interference pattern being destroyed? Wouldn't the absorption of the wave through 1 slit on the detector cause the the wave from the other slit to be out of phase and therefore not interfere?
 
Splizard said:
If the detector absorbs the wave then what's so strange about the interference pattern being destroyed?

Nothing's strange about not getting an interference pattern with only one slit open. What is strange is:
1) The appearance of an interference pattern when both slits are open but we're using particles such as electrons, which classically weren't supposed to display any sort of wave behavior.
2) The appearance of an interference pattern when both slits are open but we're sending the particles one at a time. That phenomenon has no classical explanation.
3) The way the interference pattern goes away, even with both slits open, if we have a non-destructive detector operating at one or both slots. Your original question was asking for an example of sic an experiment, and Kim's apparatus is one such.
 

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