Weak value and the wave-particle duality

DOI10.1007/S40509-015-0039-5zbMATH Open1326.81018arXiv1410.0787OpenAlexW1994038512MaRDI QIDQ892961FDOQ892961

Authors: Takuya Mori, Izumi Tsutsui 

Publication date: 12 November 2015

Published in: Quantum Studies: Mathematics and Foundations (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: The weak value, introduced by Aharonov et al. to extend the conventional scope of physical observables in quantum mechanics, is an intriguing concept which sheds new light on quantum foundations and is also useful for precision measurement, but it poses serious questions on its physical meaning due to the unconventional features including the complexity of its value. In this paper we point out that the weak value has a direct connection with the wave-particle duality, in the sense that the wave nature manifests itself in the imaginary part while the particle nature in the real part. This is illustrated by the double slit experiment, where we argue, with no conflict with complementarity, that the trajectory of the particle can be inferred based on the weak value without destroying the interference.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1410.0787

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zbMATH Keywords

interferencequantum eraserwave-particle dualityweak value

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

General and philosophical questions in quantum theory (81P05) Quantum measurement theory, state operations, state preparations (81P15)

Cites Work

• Observing the average trajectories of single photons in a two-slit interferometer
• Quantum Cheshire cats
• Semiclassical theory of weak values
• Geometric phase in quantum eraser and weak measurement

Cited In (10)

• Strong entanglement criterion involving momentum weak values
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Weak values and the Aharonov–Vaidman gauge
• Weak values are quantum: you can bet on it
• Restrictions on the existence of weak values in quantum mechanics: weak quantum evolution concept
• An even simpler understanding of quantum weak values
• Dynamics, locality and weak measurements: trajectories and which-way information in the case of a simplified double-slit setup
• Do weak values capture the complete truth about the past of a quantum particle?
• Weak values as context-dependent values of observables and Born’s rule
• Weak values of a quantum observable and the cross-Wigner distribution

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