An explanation of interference effects in the double slit experiment: Classical trajectories plus ballistic diffusion caused by zero-point fluctuations

DOI10.1016/J.AOP.2011.11.010zbMATH Open1238.81015arXiv1106.5994OpenAlexW2009458172WikidataQ56092536 ScholiaQ56092536MaRDI QIDQ765787FDOQ765787

D. Kharzeev

Publication date: 22 March 2012

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

Abstract: A classical explanation of interference effects in the double slit experiment is proposed. We claim that for every single "particle" a thermal context can be defined, which reflects its embedding within boundary conditions as given by the totality of arrangements in an experimental apparatus. To account for this context, we introduce a "path excitation field", which derives from the thermodynamics of the zero-point vacuum and which represents all possible paths a "particle" can take via thermal path fluctuations. The intensity distribution on a screen behind a double slit is calculated, as well as the corresponding trajectories and the probability density current. The trajectories are shown to obey a "no crossing" rule with respect to the central line, i.e., between the two slits and orthogonal to their connecting line. This agrees with the Bohmian interpretation, but appears here without the necessity of invoking the quantum potential.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1106.5994

zbMATH Keywords

quantum mechanicsnonequilibrium thermodynamicszero-point fluctuationsballistic diffusion

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05) Stochastic mechanics (including stochastic electrodynamics) (81P20) Alternative quantum mechanics (including hidden variables, etc.) (81Q65) Irreversible thermodynamics, including Onsager-Machlup theory (82C35)

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Cited In (7)

• No-go theorems face background-based theories for quantum mechanics
• A classical explanation of quantization
• What dynamics can be expected for mixed states in two-slit experiments?
• Bell's theorem: two neglected solutions
• Born's rule as signature of a superclassical current algebra
• Implications of a deeper level explanation of the deBroglie-Bohm version of quantum mechanics
• Modeling quantum mechanical double slit interference via anomalous diffusion: independently variable slit widths

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