Discussion Overview
The discussion centers on the experimental outcomes of a single photon or electron double slit experiment, specifically under the condition that the detector is reset after each detection. Participants explore the implications of this setup on the resulting interference pattern and the nature of the detectors used.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose that the outcome would resemble that of a constant medium, where individual detection points appear random initially but reveal a wave-interference pattern as data accumulates.
- Others express a desire for clarity on whether experiments have been conducted with detectors that reset after each detection, questioning the existence of such setups.
- One participant suggests that many modern experiments likely use resetting detectors, such as high precision CCDs, but acknowledges uncertainty about whether they reset after each photon detection.
- Another participant emphasizes the importance of removing memory from the detector and discusses the concept of a computer acting as the true detector when recording impact positions.
- Some participants mention specific types of detectors, like photomultiplier tubes, which reset after detecting a photon, while others clarify the operational details of these devices.
- There is a suggestion for a procedural design to fire single photons while ensuring the detector is cleared before the next photon is fired, but participants note a lack of existing experiments that meet these criteria.
- One participant references a C60 double slit experiment, indicating that the nature of detection for massive particles differs significantly from that of photons.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the use of memoryless detectors and whether they have been employed in past experiments. There is no consensus on the existence of experiments that meet the specific conditions outlined in the original post.
Contextual Notes
Participants highlight limitations in the current understanding of detector technology and its implications for the experimental outcomes, with some noting that the interference pattern may be influenced by the type of detector used and its operational characteristics.
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