What dynamics can be expected for mixed states in two-slit experiments?
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Abstract: Weak-measurement-based experiments [Kocsis et al., Science 332 (2011) 1170] have shown that, at least for pure states, the average evolution of independent photons in Young's two-slit experiment is in compliance with the trajectories prescribed by the Bohmian formulation of quantum mechanics. But, what happens if the same experiment is repeated assuming that the wave function associated with each particle is different, i.e., in the case of mixed (incoherent) states? This question is investigated here by means of two alternative numerical simulations of Young's experiment, purposely devised to be easily implemented and tested in the laboratory. Contrary to what could be expected a priori, it is found that even for conditions of maximal mixedness or incoherence (total lack of interference fringes), experimental data will render a puzzling and challenging outcome: the average particle trajectories will still display features analogous to those for pure states, i.e., independently of how mixedness arises, the associated dynamics is influenced by both slits at the same time. Physically this simply means that weak measurements are not able to discriminate how mixedness arises in the experiment, since they only provide information about the averaged system dynamics.
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Cites work
- A Suggested Interpretation of the Quantum Theory in Terms of "Hidden" Variables. I
- A trajectory description of quantum processes. I: Fundamentals. A Bohmian perspective.
- A trajectory description of quantum processes. II: Applications. A Bohmian perspective
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- An explanation of interference effects in the double slit experiment: Classical trajectories plus ballistic diffusion caused by zero-point fluctuations
- Karl Popper and the Copenhagen interpretation
- Observing the average trajectories of single photons in a two-slit interferometer
- Photon trajectories, anomalous velocities and weak measurements: a classical interpretation
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(6)- Does the realistic interpretation of a mathematical superposition of states imply a mixture?
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- Interfering quantum trajectories without which-way information
- Bilocal current densities and mean trajectories in a Young interferometer with two Gaussian slits and two detectors
- Dynamics, locality and weak measurements: trajectories and which-way information in the case of a simplified double-slit setup
- Observing the average trajectories of single photons in a two-slit interferometer
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