Have interference on single particles been mapped

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mapping of interference patterns in single particles during double-slit experiments, particularly focusing on whether such mappings demonstrate wave-like behavior upon detection. The scope includes concepts from quantum mechanics and experimental observations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that measuring single particles in double-slit experiments causes them to behave as particles rather than waves, raising questions about the mapping of their interference patterns at the detector.
  • Another participant argues that quantum particles do not strictly behave as classical particles or waves but exhibit properties of both depending on the experimental setup, and confirms that single-particle interference experiments can produce expected interference patterns.
  • A participant inquires about the "N/A" marking on the thread, which is explained as a result of the thread being moved from the relativity forum to the quantum mechanics forum.
  • Another participant reiterates the initial question about the mapping of interference patterns and provides a reference to a specific experiment published in 1989 that demonstrates single-electron interference patterns.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of quantum particles and their behavior in experiments. While there is acknowledgment of the existence of single-particle interference patterns, the implications of these findings and the interpretation of quantum behavior remain contested.

Contextual Notes

The discussion touches on the complexities of quantum behavior and the interpretation of experimental results, with some assumptions about the nature of quantum particles and their wave-like properties remaining unresolved.

Martyn Arthur
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Interference (trying to measure) single "particles" in a double slit experiments causes them to discontinue wave like behaviour and perform as "particles".
Has the consequence of a series of interference with single "particles" been mapped when they arrive at the detector, and does any such mapping demonstrate that a series of interfered with particles still arrive demonstrate a pattern of arrival in the form of a wave.
 
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First of all, you know need to get it out of your mind that quantum particles behave either as classical particles or waves. They behave as quantum particles. Quantum particles have some properties that we would typically associate with a classical particle and some properties that we would typically associate with a classical wave and those properties will be more or less pronounced depending on the experimental setup that you have.

That being said: Yes, you can do single-particle interference experiments and yes they do exhibit exactly the expected interference pattern.
 
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Thanks for the explanation but why is this marked n/a
 
Martyn Arthur said:
why is this marked n/a
Although this thread is a question about quantum mechanics, it had been posted in the relativity forum.

The mentors moved it from there to the quantum mechanics forum where it belongs, leaving a forwarding link on the relativity forum. The board software marks these forwarding links with a "N/A" and that's what you're seeing.
 
Martyn Arthur said:
Has the consequence of a series of interference with single "particles" been mapped when they arrive at the detector, and does any such mapping demonstrate that a series of interfered with particles still arrive demonstrate a pattern of arrival in the form of a wave.
Here's an example:

http://www.hitachi.com/rd/portal/highlight/quantum/doubleslit/index.html

This particular experiment was originally published in 1989: Tonomura A, Endo J, Matsuda T, Kawasaki T and Ezawa H, 1989, "Demonstration of single-electron buildup of an interference pattern" Am. J. Phys. 57 117–20
 
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