Young experiment in gravity field

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of conducting a Young's double-slit experiment in a gravitational field, particularly focusing on how gravitational effects might influence interference patterns and detection of particles. Participants explore the theoretical aspects of interference, detection methods, and the potential impact of gravitational shifts on the experiment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that using a non-active detection system in a gravitational field could allow for the detection of interference patterns influenced by the gravitational shift of frequency.
  • Another participant questions the feasibility of detecting particles without active interaction, arguing that frequency shifts would complicate detection.
  • A later reply proposes that weak measurements could be made that minimally affect interference, but questions whether a weak gravitational field would produce a significant effect.
  • There is uncertainty about whether the proposed experiment has been conducted, with participants expressing a lack of knowledge on the matter.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of gravitational effects on particle detection and interference patterns. There is no consensus on whether the proposed ideas are feasible or if the experiment has been conducted.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the Mossbauer effect and relativistic frequency shifts, but the discussion does not resolve how these factors would specifically influence the outcomes of the experiment.

helix
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The current Young optical experiment induces interference between 2 waves when the two intermediary holes are opened and interference dissapears as soon as an active detection system is used to know by which hole the particle flied thru.
Surprisingly, even when particles are sent one to one the interference is maintained since it is not a statistical effect but the interference of the "quantic evolution wave" with itself.

But what if a not-active detection system were used ?
Typically considering that the two holes of the screen are not at the same height in a gravitational filed . The effect is light but the mossbauer shift of frequency related to relativist effect changes slighlty the frequency of the light and the influence of the hole number by which the particle fly thru could be detected.
What is your viewpoint about this possibility ?
 
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You detect the particle in specific points, where the frequency from both paths will be the same again.
 
Interesting. But It would mean that particles will be detected even if you don t have any active interaction with the beam. If you have a free interference the fringe would be modify by the shift frequency depending from the height in the gravitational pit.
To detect the particle in specific points, where the frequency from both paths will be the same again would mean that we would not have any detection since the frequency are shift from one way to another.
But beyond the exchange do you know if the experiment was made ?
 
helix said:
Interesting. But It would mean that particles will be detected even if you don t have any active interaction with the beam.
How so?
If you have [...] interference the fringe would be modify by the shift frequency depending from the height in the gravitational pit.
Yes.
To detect the particle in specific points, where the frequency from both paths will be the same again would mean that we would not have any detection since the frequency are shift from one way to another.
I don't understand this sentence, and believe it is wrong.

But beyond the exchange do you know if the experiment was made ?

I don't know.
 
helix said:
Interesting. But It would mean that particles will be detected even if you don t have any active interaction with the beam. If you have a free interference the fringe would be modify by the shift frequency depending from the height in the gravitational pit.
To detect the particle in specific points, where the frequency from both paths will be the same again would mean that we would not have any detection since the frequency are shift from one way to another.
But beyond the exchange do you know if the experiment was made ?

It is a reasonable idea. Here is a practical issue: you can make "weak" measurements on particles in such a way that interference is only slightly degraded. If you then turn up the intensity of the measurement, the interference falls off accordingly. So a weak field like gravity likely wouldn't produce enough effect to do much.
 

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