Complementarity paradox solved: surprising consequences

DOI10.1007/S10701-010-9477-4zbMATH Open1206.81016arXiv1001.4785OpenAlexW2010033129WikidataQ60033042 ScholiaQ60033042MaRDI QIDQ618797FDOQ618797

J. M. De Tata, Eduardo V. Flores

Publication date: 17 January 2011

Published in: Foundations of Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Afshar et al. claim that their experiment shows a violation of the complementarity inequality. In this work, we study their claim using a modified Mach-Zehnder setup that represents a simpler version of the Afshar experiment. We find that our results are consistent with Afshar et al. experimental findings. However, we show that within standard quantum mechanics the results of the Afshar experiment do not lead to a violation of the complementarity inequality. We show that their claim originates from a particular technique they use to analyze their results. In their analysis, they assume a classical concept, that particles have a definite trajectory before detection, thus, they obtain which-way information by particle detection plus path extrapolation by applying momentum conservation. This analysis technique is standard in experimental particle physics. Important discoveries such as the detection of vector bosons have been made through the application of this technique. We note that particle detection plus path extrapolation is a suitable technique within de Broglie-Bohm theory of quantum mechanics.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1001.4785

zbMATH Keywords

conservation lawsfoundations of quantum mechanicsde Broglie-Bohm theorydouble-slit experiment

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05) Stochastic mechanics (including stochastic electrodynamics) (81P20)

Cites Work

• Reply to comments of Steuernagel on the Afshar's experiment
• Afshar's experiment does not show a violation of complementarity
• Why the Afshar experiment does not refute complementarity
• Paradox in wave-particle duality
• Delayed-Choice Test of Quantum Complementarity with Interfering Single Photons

Cited In (4)

• Quantum histories and quantum complementarity
• No paradox in wave-particle duality
• Understanding modified two-slit experiments using path markers
• Simulation of Afshar's double slit experiment

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