Would a Wave Plate Affect Interference in Young's Experiment?

In summary, one-photon interference is a phenomenon where a single photon behaves like a wave and produces an interference pattern when encountering an obstacle or passing through a narrow slit. This demonstrates the wave-particle duality of light and has potential applications in quantum computing, cryptography, and imaging. It differs from two-photon interference, which involves two photons interacting, and is typically observed and measured using a double-slit experiment and a detector.
  • #1
Dorilian
25
0
In Young's experiment, would we see interference if we put a wave plate to rotate the polarization in one of the path of the beam?
 
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  • #2
I don't think you would see a diffraction pattern, but, you could detect varying elliptical polarization after the slits.
 

What is one-photon interference?

One-photon interference is a phenomenon in which a single photon behaves like a wave and interferes with itself. This results in a pattern of bright and dark spots, known as an interference pattern, when the photon encounters an obstacle or passes through a narrow slit.

What is the significance of one-photon interference?

One-photon interference is significant because it provides evidence of the wave-particle duality of light. It shows that even though light is made up of discrete particles, it can also behave like a wave, which was previously thought to only apply to larger objects like water waves.

How is one-photon interference different from two-photon interference?

One-photon interference involves a single photon interfering with itself, while two-photon interference involves two photons interfering with each other. One-photon interference is a fundamental property of light, while two-photon interference is a more complex phenomenon that requires special conditions and equipment to observe.

What applications does one-photon interference have?

One-photon interference has many potential applications, including in quantum computing, cryptography, and imaging. It can also be used to study the properties of light and to improve technologies such as optical sensors and detectors.

How is one-photon interference observed and measured in experiments?

One-photon interference is typically observed using a double-slit experiment, where a single photon is sent through two narrow slits and creates an interference pattern on a screen. The interference pattern can be measured using a detector, such as a photomultiplier tube, and the data can be analyzed to determine the properties of the photon, such as its wavelength and polarization.

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