Wave function collapse in a double slit experiment

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of wave function collapse in the context of the double slit experiment, exploring both theoretical interpretations and experimental observations. Participants inquire about the nature of wave function collapse, the conditions under which it occurs, and the implications for single and double slit experiments.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that wave function collapse is not an inherent part of quantum mechanics' mathematical formalism, but rather a conceptual framework for understanding interactions with macroscopic objects.
  • It is suggested that in double slit experiments with discrete particles, an interference pattern emerges when both paths are available, while a single path results in no interference pattern, indicating wave function collapse.
  • Participants discuss the behavior of single photons in the context of wave function collapse, stating that a single photon results in a single hit rather than a pattern, and that many photons can produce a single-slit pattern.
  • There is a question raised about the occurrence of decoherence in the double slit experiment and its implications for observing diffraction patterns in single slit experiments.
  • Some participants assert that single-slit diffraction patterns do exist and can be observed, although they may be less straightforward to measure compared to double-slit interference patterns.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interpretation of wave function collapse and its role in quantum mechanics. There is no consensus on the implications of decoherence for diffraction patterns, with some asserting that single-slit diffraction is observable while others question its visibility post-decoherence.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of measuring single-slit diffraction patterns compared to double-slit interference patterns, indicating potential limitations in experimental design and measurement techniques.

Sandeep T S
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Is anyone did experiment on wave function collapse in double slit experiment. Could you please share information about that, and also share research paper about that experiment.
What kind of observation done here, what kind of equipment used for that?
 
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Do remember that wave function collapse is not, strictly speaking, part the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics. It's one of several ways of talking about what the math says happens during an interaction with macroscopic objects (such as a barrier with slits in it, or a measuring device)and it's perfectly possible to do QM without collapse.

But with that said, just about any form of the double slit experiment with discrete particles (if you're doing it with light instead of discrete particles you aren't demonstrating QM at all, you're replicating Young's classical experiment from 1805 that shows the wave nature of light) shows the effect that we call wave function collapse. If two paths are available to the particles, an interference pattern will form; if only one path is available the pattern will not form. In collapse interpretations we say that whatever interaction excluded one path (for example, triggering or not triggering a detector at one or the other slit) collapsed the wave function from "superposition of both paths" to "just the one possible path".

Googling for "single photon double slit" will lead to to some actual experiments.
 
Nugatory said:
Do remember that wave function collapse is not, strictly speaking, part the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics. It's one of several ways of talking about what the math says happens during an interaction with macroscopic objects (such as a barrier with slits in it, or a measuring device)and it's perfectly possible to do QM without collapse.

But with that said, just about any form of the double slit experiment with discrete particles (if you're doing it with light instead of discrete particles you aren't demonstrating QM at all, you're replicating Young's classical experiment from 1805 that shows the wave nature of light) shows the effect that we call wave function collapse. If two paths are available to the particles, an interference pattern will form; if only one path is available the pattern will not form. In collapse interpretations we say that whatever interaction excluded one path (for example, triggering or not triggering a detector at one or the other slit) collapsed the wave function from "superposition of both paths" to "just the one possible path".

Googling for "single photon double slit" will lead to to some actual experiments.
Why not diffraction patterns seen when single Photon going to single slit.?
 
A single photon will give a single hit only, not a pattern. In interpretations with a collapse that is the collapse.
Many individual photons sent through a single slit will give a single-slit pattern.
 
mfb said:
A single photon will give a single hit only, not a pattern. In interpretations with a collapse that is the collapse.
Many individual photons sent through a single slit will give a single-slit pattern.
I know that. I want to ask, decoherence occur when we observe double slit experiment. In there photons distribute along with each slit. Why don't we observe diffraction pattern in single slit after decoherence.
interference pattern occur when a photon superpose to them self, then what is the reason of diffraction pattern in single slit experiment if we use single photon at a time.
 
Nugatory said:
Do remember that wave function collapse is not, strictly speaking, part the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics. It's one of several ways of talking about what the math says happens during an interaction with macroscopic objects (such as a barrier with slits in it, or a measuring device)and it's perfectly possible to do QM without collapse.

But with that said, just about any form of the double slit experiment with discrete particles (if you're doing it with light instead of discrete particles you aren't demonstrating QM at all, you're replicating Young's classical experiment from 1805 that shows the wave nature of light) shows the effect that we call wave function collapse. If two paths are available to the particles, an interference pattern will form; if only one path is available the pattern will not form. In collapse interpretations we say that whatever interaction excluded one path (for example, triggering or not triggering a detector at one or the other slit) collapsed the wave function from "superposition of both paths" to "just the one possible path".

Googling for "single photon double slit" will lead to to some actual experiments.
What is mechanism of sensor which lead to decoherence.
 
Sandeep T S said:
Why don't we observe diffraction pattern in single slit after decoherence.
We do.
We design our experiments around two-slit interference because the one-slit diffraction pattern is harder to calculate and less easily measured than the two-slit interference pattern and doesn't tell us anything that we won't learn from the double-slit measurement. But single-slit diffraction is there if we look for it.
 

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