B How to evaluate whether a photon's polarization is in superposition?

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The discussion centers on the evaluation of a photon's polarization state to determine if it is in superposition. It highlights that a photon is always in a superposition in some basis, similar to how electric field vectors exist as superpositions of their components. Participants seek an accepted experimental methodology for assessing this superposition in polarization. The analogy between quantum superposition and electric field superposition is emphasized to clarify the concept. Understanding these principles is crucial for advancing experimental techniques in quantum mechanics.
fluidfcs
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Is there an accepted experimental methodology for determining whether a photon's polarization is in superposition or not?
 
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It is always in a superposition in some basis.
 
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fluidfcs said:
Is there an accepted experimental methodology for determining whether a photon's polarization is in superposition or not?
I think of quantum superposition the same way I think of electric field superposition. An electric field vector exists in space and is always a superposition of its components in some basis. The same thought is applicable for quantum superposition.
 
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For the quantum state ##|l,m\rangle= |2,0\rangle## the z-component of angular momentum is zero and ##|L^2|=6 \hbar^2##. According to uncertainty it is impossible to determine the values of ##L_x, L_y, L_z## simultaneously. However, we know that ##L_x## and ## L_y##, like ##L_z##, get the values ##(-2,-1,0,1,2) \hbar##. In other words, for the state ##|2,0\rangle## we have ##\vec{L}=(L_x, L_y,0)## with ##L_x## and ## L_y## one of the values ##(-2,-1,0,1,2) \hbar##. But none of these...

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