Will 2 newly formed wave-packets be entangled?

  • Thread starter Adel Makram
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Entangled
In summary, when creating a pair of wave-packets at two places in opposite directions, the resulting packets may or may not be entangled depending on how they are created. This can vary in degrees of entanglement. Additionally, a source cannot simply "send a wave" and a physical process, such as using different monochromatic X-ray emissions, is necessary.
  • #1
Adel Makram
635
15
Suppose that we can create a pair of wave-packets at 2 places in opposite directions to each other. For example, from the origin at x=0, many waves of different frequencies are emitted in 2 opposite directions to form 2 wave-packets at x and -x where the maximum superposition occurs. Will those formed 2 packets be entangled?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
They may or may not be! Depends on how you create them.
Just two random electrons from a bunch of electrons in a photoelectric experiment? Unlikely!
An electron and a positron pair-producted from a photon? They surely are!

I also should mention that we have degrees of entanglement. So its not that they are either entangled or not, its how much they are entangled!
 
  • #3
Shyan said:
They may or may not be! Depends on how you create them.
Many sources are aligned along y-direction and send waves in 2 opposite x-directions as in the attached image.
 

Attachments

  • entangled.png
    entangled.png
    10.5 KB · Views: 461
  • #4
Adel Makram said:
Many sources are aligned along y-direction and send waves in 2 opposite x-directions as in the attached image.
A source can't "send a wave." You need to describe an physical process.
 

1. What is a wave-packet?

A wave-packet is a localized disturbance or oscillation in a medium, such as a particle in quantum mechanics or a wave in classical physics. It can be thought of as a "packet" of waves with a specific frequency and amplitude.

2. What does it mean for two wave-packets to be entangled?

In quantum mechanics, entanglement refers to the phenomenon where two or more particles become connected in such a way that the state of one particle cannot be described independently of the state of the other particle. This means that the properties of the two particles are linked, even if they are separated by a large distance.

3. How are wave-packets formed?

Wave-packets can be formed through various processes, such as interference of waves, diffraction, or superposition. In quantum mechanics, wave-packets can also be formed as a result of the uncertainty principle, where the position and momentum of a particle cannot be known simultaneously, leading to a spread in the particle's wavefunction.

4. Can any two wave-packets be entangled?

No, not all wave-packets can be entangled. In order for two wave-packets to be entangled, they must share a common origin or have interacted in some way. This means that the wave-packets must have some degree of correlation in their properties, such as position or momentum.

5. Why is entanglement important in quantum mechanics?

Entanglement plays a crucial role in quantum mechanics as it allows for particles to be connected in ways that are not possible in classical physics. It has also been shown to have potential applications in quantum computing and communication, as well as providing insights into the fundamental nature of the universe.

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
980
Replies
17
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
817
Replies
50
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
635
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
13
Views
2K
Back
Top