Turning Off a Measuring Device: Wave-to-Particle Possibility?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of wave function collapse in quantum mechanics, particularly in relation to measuring devices and their states (on or off). Participants explore the implications of turning off a measuring device and whether this affects the wave-to-particle transition of photons. The conversation touches on various methods of measuring photons and the nature of interactions between photons and measuring devices.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that turning off a measuring device does not prevent it from affecting the wave function of a photon if it is positioned to measure.
  • Others argue that the concept of "turning off" a device is ambiguous, particularly for devices like optical lenses that cannot be turned off in the traditional sense.
  • A participant questions how many different methods exist for measuring a photon, suggesting that the medium used (e.g., water, vapor, ice) may influence the measurement process.
  • There is a discussion about whether a semiconductor photodetector can cause wave function collapse even when it is turned off, with some seeking clarification on the nature of emitted signals from devices.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the mechanism behind wave function collapse, questioning if it is due to something emitted by the measuring device.
  • Another participant asserts that photons are detected through interactions with other particles, emphasizing that there is no direct emission that causes wave function collapse.
  • Concerns are raised about energy conservation in interactions between photons and measuring devices, with discussions on the aftermath of photon absorption.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of turning off measuring devices and the nature of wave function collapse. There is no consensus on whether a device's state affects the measurement process or the collapse of the wave function.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight ambiguities in terminology, such as what constitutes "turning off" a device, and the complexity of interactions that may lead to wave function collapse. The discussion also reflects varying levels of understanding among participants regarding the underlying physics.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring quantum mechanics, particularly the concepts of wave function collapse, measurement theory, and the role of measuring devices in quantum experiments.

Sabradin
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I heard that if a measuing device is turned off, but is put into a position that, if turned on, would still be able to measure.. that this will still turn a wave into a particle
 
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Sabradin said:
I heard that if a measuing device is turned off, but is put into a position that, if turned on, would still be able to measure.. that this will still turn a wave into a particle
Unless you specify what you are talking more precisely, it does not seem very likely that this makes sense at all. At least it does not to me. What do you mean by turn off ? If you have an optical lens, you can't turn it off. If you have a magnetic field, most probably it's created from a current you can switch off. If you have a semiconductor photodetector, it does not matter whether voltage is off or on when it comes to collapsing a photon's wave function.
 
how many differerent ways are there to try and measure a photon?
 
Sabradin said:
how many differerent ways are there to try and measure a photon?
As many as one can think of I guess. How many materials can you build out of Mendeleev table ? Do you count measuring a photon with water different from measuring it with vapor or from ice ?
 
okay, so with the semiconductor photodetector.. what is that exactly?

did you say that even if its turned off, that the wave still turns/collapses into a particle?
 
lol don't assume I know what you do, I am not faking humility i really am this stupid

basically I am trying to find out if its something emitted from the (or a) device which causes the wave to collapse into a particle

the "essence" of the rumor is that even when the (or a) device isn't currently emitting something causing the wave to warp back to a particle.. that it still causes the collapse

began thinking about these things a month ago please be patient
 
Sabradin said:
lol don't assume I know what you do, I am not faking humility i really am this stupid
Well, maybe I have seemed overreacting : I answer while it compiles, and there is nothing worse than a shared library which should load but does not :cry: Sorry if I seemed rude.

BTW, stupidity is very different from ignorance :wink:

basically I am trying to find out if its something emitted from the (or a) device which causes the wave to collapse into a particle
Formulated this way, the question becomes trickier. If there is any interaction whatsoever between the photon and the device, energy needs to be conserved. Ultimately, your photon hits an atom, maybe inside a molecule, but this atom will certainly reach an unstable excited state and indeed, emit something. However, if this emitted "thing" finally turns into phonons in a crystal, you have merely heated your device. Does it count as "emitting" ? You could say, yes, the heated device will emit (IR) radiation, that is a very long way to scatter a photon !
 
As far as I know, there is nothing that is emitted by anything that goes up to a photon, says "Aha! I got you!" and makes its wave-function collapse.

The only way we detect photons is by them hitting something else and us seeing the aftermath.
 
  • #10
WarPhalange said:
The only way we detect photons is by them hitting something else and us seeing the aftermath.
Us seeing the aftermath. The photon carries an energy which has not been stored in a single atom after the photon has been absorbed. The atom would wait for you to check whether it has been excited ? At the very least you have one single Compton scattering.
 
  • #11
Sometimes I wish I was a moderator.
 
  • #12
peter0302 said:
Sometimes I wish I was a moderator.

  • Please comment on the physics
  • Should not it be "I wish I were" (this is a true question)
 

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