Dismiss Notice
Join Physics Forums Today!
The friendliest, high quality science and math community on the planet! Everyone who loves science is here!

Heisenburg and polarization

  1. Apr 26, 2008 #1

    judonight

    User Avatar

    Hello, I am doing a small presentation on Quantum Cryptology this next week, and need a little help relating HUP and polarization of photons.

    I understand that when you polarize a photon on a basis of say 45* the photon simultaneously exist in both the horizontal and vertical polarizations at the same time. With that said, I really need someone to break down HUP with polarization...

    What I don't get: When you vertically polarize a photon (light) how you can set a second filter to polarize it at 45* but not 0* (horizontally, where it will be fully absorbed).
     
    judonight, Apr 26, 2008
  2. jcsd
    Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories on Phys.org
  3. Apr 27, 2008 #2

    pam

    User Avatar

    That's already true in classical EM.
     
    pam, Apr 27, 2008
  4. Apr 28, 2008 #3

    DrChinese

    User Avatar
    Science Advisor
    Gold Member

    Assuming I understand the question: This is done with something that alters the phase of the wave, usually a wave plate. A half-wave plate will do the trick, and can be used to shift the polarization to any specific angle. A filter will do it too, but half of the light is not transmitted.

    To relate to the HUP: If you know the polarization is vertical, then you end up with complete uncertainty of the polarization at 45 degrees - and vice versa. Any angle in-between corresponds to know some about one and some about the other.
     
    DrChinese, Apr 28, 2008
Share this great discussion with others via Reddit, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook