Undergrad Superposition Angle Range in 2-Slit Experiment

[Jsauce]

TL;DR

Question on superpositions

With superpositions, the matrix based equations imply that there is a finite number of possible superpositions. Descriptions of how to reproduce the 2-slit experiment prescribe a maximum distance the slits can be apart and still reproduce the experiment.

is there a way to determine the minimum and maximum angles a superposition could have from the emitter?

 

[PeroK]

Summary:: Question on superpositions

With superpositions, the matrix based equations imply that there is a finite number of possible superpositions. Descriptions of how to reproduce the 2-slit experiment prescribe a maximum distance the slits can be apart and still reproduce the experiment.

is there a way to determine the minimum and maximum angles a superposition could have from the emitter?

This question does not make much sense to me. For a double slit experiment, you need the slits to be within the uncertainty in the direction of the beam. But, also, if the slits are far apart and you have a very large uncertainty in the direction of the beam, then you will effectively get two separate single slit patterns, some distance apart.

 

[Jsauce]

This question does not make much sense to me. For a double slit experiment, you need the slits to be within the uncertainty in the direction of the beam. But, also, if the slits are far apart and you have a very large uncertainty in the direction of the beam, then you will effectively get two separate single slit patterns, some distance apart.

What defines the boundaries of the uncertainty?

 

[PeroK]

What defines the boundaries of the uncertainty?

There is no definite boundary, but the probability distribution will drop off very quickly for a tightly focused beam.

 

[Jsauce]

There is no definite boundary, but the probability distribution will drop off very quickly for a tightly focused beam.

So there is a non-zero chance that a single photon could impact a detector 180 degrees behind the emitter?

 

[PeroK]

So there is a non-zero chance that a single photon could impact a detector 180 degrees behind the emitter?

That's not really relevant. If the emitter is a simple source, then photons will be detected in all directions. If the emitter produces a focused beam, then the probability of being detected outside a narrow strip on the first screen would be vanishingly small.

 

[Jsauce]

That's not really relevant. If the emitter is a simple source, then photons will be detected in all directions. If the emitter produces a focused beam, then the probability of being detected outside a narrow strip on the first screen would be vanishingly small.

Helpful as ever