Would dbb cause an unequalness between the paths?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of the de Broglie-Bohm (dBB) theory in the context of the double-slit experiment, particularly focusing on whether the paths taken by photons create an unequalness due to the nature of wave functions and particle trajectories.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that in the dBB theory, the photon goes through one slit while the wave function travels through both, leading to potential unequalness between the paths.
  • Others argue that the concept of "waves" in the context of a single photon is ambiguous, emphasizing that a photon interferes with itself.
  • A participant suggests that the wave function is a mathematical construct representing an underlying reality that is not fully understood, implying that something may traverse both slits.
  • Some participants express confusion about the notion of unequalness, questioning how the presence of a photon in one path and a wave function in another could affect the interference pattern.
  • There is a discussion about the definition of "photon," with suggestions that it could refer to either a point-like particle or an excitation of the electromagnetic field, which may lead to different interpretations of the interference patterns.
  • One participant asserts that even in the dBB interpretation, the excitation travels through both slits, challenging the idea of unequalness.
  • Another participant raises a question about whether dBB posits that something travels randomly through just one of the slits, seeking clarification on the nature of the particle in this context.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the distinction between a "particle" and an "excitation of the field," with some participants noting that the photon is not simply an excitation in the case of point-like particles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the implications of the dBB theory regarding unequalness between paths. Multiple competing views remain regarding the nature of photons and wave functions, as well as their roles in the double-slit experiment.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the definitions of terms like "photon" and "wave," which may affect the clarity of the discussion. The implications of the dBB theory on interference patterns are also not fully settled.

San K
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The de broglie bohm theory posits that the photon goes through one of the slits and the waves through both. (In a single particle double slit experiment)

The waves are probability waves, however they must be modelling an underlying resource.

Thus would they create some sort of unequalness between the "waves" ? That are transervsing the paths that emerge from the two slits.
 
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Where are the 'waves' here?, what do you mean by 'waves', when you are talking about a single photon, where is the question of 'waves'? Correct me If I got you wrong.
Here we are discussing a single photon interference !
A photon interferes with itself!,
 
sugeet said:
Where are the 'waves' here?, what do you mean by 'waves', when you are talking about a single photon, where is the question of 'waves'? Correct me If I got you wrong.
Here we are discussing a single photon interference !
A photon interferes with itself!,

Sugeet, thanks for replying. I grant you that --- instead of a wave its a wave function. Nevertheless take a look at below (from wikipedia):

In de Broglie–Bohm theory, the wavefunction travels through both slits, but each particle has a well-defined trajectory that passes through exactly one of the slits. The final position of the particle on the detector screen and the slit through which the particle passes is determined by the initial position of the particle. Such initial position is not knowable or controllable by the experimenter, so there is an appearance of randomness in the pattern of detection. The wave function interferes with itself and guides the particles in such a way that the particles avoid the regions in which the interference is destructive and are attracted to the regions in which the interference is constructive, resulting in the interference pattern on the detector screen.

In my opinion- the wave-function is a mathematical constructed to model something that we don't understand yet. But there is "something" - and perhaphs that "something" passes through both slits
 
So I get what you are telling, and its very interesting, still I did not understand the un-equalness you are talking about!
 
sugeet said:
So I get what you are telling, and its very interesting, still I did not understand the un-equalness you are talking about!


the photon, per DBB hypothesis/interpretation, is going through one slit...thus aren't the paths are unbalanced?...

one path has wave-function but no photon
other path has wave-function plus photon

Would not the interference pattern be different from the one that emerges from a hypothesis/interpretation that says - the photon goes through both slits at the same time? And the interferes with itself
 
Last edited:
San K said:
one path has wave-function but no photon
other path has wave-function plus photon
True.

San K said:
Would not the interference pattern be different from the one that emerges from a hypothesis/interpretation that says - the photon goes through both slits at the same time? And the interferes with itself
I think your problem is that you are not certain what exactly do you mean by the word "photon". In the first quote above the "photon" means a pointlike particle, while in the second it means something else. You cannot have a consistent logical reasoning if you use the same word with two different meanings. So pick one definition for the word "photon" and try to reformulate your question again.
 
Let's go with - Photon as excitation of the EM field.

Wouldn't the patterns be different:

When the excitation travels through one slit (DBB interpretation) Vs both slits (some other interpretation)?

Am I missing something?
 
Last edited:
By wave, you mean probability wave. My guess would be no unequalness, as in the double-slit you would still get the same results as Quantum Mechanics, with Bohmian Mechanics.
 
Ok thanks all. Let's, informally, close this thread. There are more interesting topics to focus on.
 
  • #10
San K said:
Let's go with - Photon as excitation of the EM field.

Wouldn't the patterns be different:

When the excitation travels through one slit (DBB interpretation) Vs both slits (some other interpretation)?

Am I missing something?
The excitation travels through both slits, even in the dBB interpretation.
 
  • #11
Demystifier said:
The excitation travels through both slits, even in the dBB interpretation.

Interesting. Thanks Demystifier.

Does DBB say if "something" travels, randomly, through just one of the slits? What would that be?...in case of a single photon, at a time, of course...
 
  • #12
San K said:
Interesting. Thanks Demystifier.

Does DBB say if "something" travels, randomly, through just one of the slits? What would that be?...in case of a single photon, at a time, of course...
That would be a "particle", where "particle" means point-like object strictly localized in space. In the case of photon, this is NOT an excitation of the field.
 
  • #13
Demystifier said:
That would be a "particle", where "particle" means point-like object strictly localized in space. In the case of photon, this is NOT an excitation of the field.

Got it. Thanks Demystifier...for demystifing this...:)
 
  • #14
San K said:
Got it. Thanks Demystifier...for demystifing this...:)
That's what I do for living. :smile:

E.g., see my rather long paper:
http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0609163 [Found.Phys.37:1563-1611,2007]

And even right now, I am writing another very long paper in which I plan to completely demystify relativistic Bohmian mechanics.
 
  • #15
Demystifier said:
That's what I do for living. :smile:

E.g., see my rather long paper:
http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0609163 [Found.Phys.37:1563-1611,2007]

And even right now, I am writing another very long paper in which I plan to completely demystify relativistic Bohmian mechanics.

Browsed through the paper. Looks great. Will get back...:)
 

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