Far-apart double slit experiment

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the implications of modifying the traditional double slit experiment by introducing a switch gate on one slit and significantly increasing the distance between the slits. The hypothesis suggests that if a photon passes through the top slit, the information about the gate's state cannot reach it in time to affect its behavior, potentially eliminating the interference pattern. However, existing research indicates that interference patterns can still be observed even with considerable distance and temporal delays, challenging classical notions of causality in quantum mechanics.

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  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles, particularly wave-particle duality.
  • Familiarity with the double slit experiment and its significance in physics.
  • Knowledge of the concept of causality in quantum theory.
  • Basic grasp of experimental design in physics research.
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  • Research the implications of temporal and spatial separation in quantum experiments.
  • Explore recent studies on modifications to the double slit experiment.
  • Investigate the role of causality in quantum mechanics and its philosophical implications.
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Physicists, quantum mechanics enthusiasts, researchers exploring the foundations of quantum theory, and anyone interested in the implications of experimental modifications to classical physics principles.

whoperj
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What if:

1)
we put a swtich gate on the bottom slit. The bottom slit is normally closed, but we time it so we open it just before a photon/electron MAY arrive.
so far this will yeild the same result as traditional experiment?

2)
usually the two slits are close by, but we move it very far apart.

Let say a photon/electron goes through the top slit.

It takes 1 second for photon to go from the emitter to the 1st slit.

It takes 20 seconds for this photon to reach the center back wall.
It takes 10 seconds for this photon to reach the top section of back wall, because top wall is closer to center wall.

Total travel time is 11 seconds for the photon that went through top slit, and hit the top end of the back wall.

Now bottom slit has to be so far apart such that : the distance from emitter to bottom slit to top end of back wall is so great, even light cannot cover that much distance in 11 seconds.


3)

Quantum theory would predict interference pattern because the distance and travel time plays no part. This is the same traditional experiment.

Let say quantum theory is wrong. The gate is opened just before a photon MAY arrive. This information has to be conveyed to the photon that went through the top slit. Assume this information travels at the speed of light, then it cannot reach the photon that hit the top wall. So no interference pattern in the top end, maybe interference in the middle section...


Has a test been done to test a similar idea?
I know my test probably cannot be done because the slits have to be so far away, hardly anything hit anywhere...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes, a similar test has been done. Researchers have conducted experiments to explore the effects of introducing additional time and/or distance-based delays between the two slits in Young's double slit experiment. The results have shown that it is possible to observe interference patterns even when there is a large distance or temporal delay between the two slits. This suggests that it is possible to observe interference even when there is no direct causal connection between the two slits, indicating that quantum mechanics may not be based on classical causality.
 

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