Young's Double Slit experiment

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Young's Double Slit experiment, particularly focusing on the implications of slit size and the conditions necessary for observing interference patterns. Participants explore theoretical scenarios involving the size of slits and the behavior of particles such as helium and light in relation to interference phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the size of the slit affects the outcome of the experiment, specifically if reducing the slit size to allow only one atom of helium to pass would still result in an interference pattern when light is shone on it.
  • Another participant notes that for interference to occur, there must be multiple paths available without cancellation, implying that slit size and spacing are significant factors.
  • There is a suggestion that shining light in a way that allows the path of the particles to be determined would cause the interference pattern to disappear.
  • A participant expresses curiosity about why slit size is not commonly considered in the experiment, suggesting that it may not have been tested with various particles and slit sizes.
  • It is mentioned that interference has been demonstrated with various subatomic particles, indicating that size has been investigated, although specific data is not provided.
  • Another participant asserts that any mechanism that reveals "which slit" information will lead to the disappearance of the interference pattern.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of slit size and its impact on interference patterns. There is no consensus on whether the interference pattern would be observed under the proposed conditions, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of size and path information.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in the existing experimental data regarding slit size and its effects, as well as the conditions under which interference patterns may or may not be observed.

raknath
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Hi all

I have a doubt on this

The experiment per se does not say anything wrt to the size of the slit right?

Now my question here is, if i actually reduce the size of the slit to such a size that only one atom of a particular gas(say helium) can pass through this

Now let us say i bombard the slits with helium and then shine light(laser if you like, of different phases) on it then, would the interference pattern still be observed, or will the light get blocked out?
 
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raknath said:
Hi all

I have a doubt on this

The experiment per se does not say anything wrt to the size of the slit right?

Now my question here is, if i actually reduce the size of the slit to such a size that only one atom of a particular gas(say helium) can pass through this

Now let us say i bombard the slits with helium and then shine light(laser if you like, of different phases) on it then, would the interference pattern still be observed, or will the light get blocked out?

There are issues about slit size and spacing. For there to be interference, there must be multiple paths without cancellation. There are a number of related issues.

Assuming that: if you shine light incident such that the path taken can be determined, then the interference disappears.
 
DrChinese said:
There are issues about slit size and spacing. For there to be interference, there must be multiple paths without cancellation. There are a number of related issues.
Like?

DrChinese just wanted to know, why is size never taken into account for this experiment, is it because it has never been repeated with other particles like electrons and with varying slit sizes. Seems a pity that such a nice experiment does not have enough data

DrChinese said:
Assuming that: if you shine light incident such that the path taken can be determined, then the interference disappears.

Why would the interference disappear if i shine laser beams, phase shifted wrt each other?
 
raknath said:
Like?

DrChinese just wanted to know, why is size never taken into account for this experiment, is it because it has never been repeated with other particles like electrons and with varying slit sizes. Seems a pity that such a nice experiment does not have enough data



Why would the interference disappear if i shine laser beams, phase shifted wrt each other?

1. Interference has actually been demonstrated with all kinds of subatomic particles, including molecular nuclei (such as fullerene). So size been investigated. In fact, there is a web page that shows what happens when size parameters are varied, although I don't have the link in front of me.

2. Any mechanism that allows the "which slit" information to be learned will cause the interference to disappear.
 

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