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Mervinoc
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- Why doesn't the detector effect the result of the double split experiment?
Why doesn't the detector effect the result of the double split experiment
What is the "double split experiment"?Mervinoc said:TL;DR Summary: Why doesn't the detector effect the result of the double split experiment?
Why doesn't the detector effect the result of the double split experiment
You are getting these confused responses because usually when people talk about “the double slit experiment” they mean a hypothetical setup involving a barrier with two slits in it and illuminated by a beam of particles. In this setup the presence or absence of a detector at the slits does affect the result, so your question (“Why doesn’t the detector affect the result?”) leaves us wondering what setup you are considering.Mervinoc said:Why doesn't the detector effect the result of the double split experiment
most interesting answer to appear on Physics Forums lolPeroK said:
double slitMervinoc said:In the double split experiment a photon of light behaves like a particle when detected and behaves as wave when not
Actually it always behaves like a particle, in that it lands at a single point on the screen and makes a single dot on the photographic film at that point. The interference pattern, if any, builds up over time as more dots appear in some regions and fewer in other regions. The presence or absence of a detector changes the probability of a particle landing at various points on the screen and hence the pattern that eventually builds up.Mervinoc said:In the double split experiment a photon of light behaves like a particle when detected and behaves as wave when not
It is important for the detector to not affect the result because it can introduce errors or bias into the data. This can lead to inaccurate conclusions and hinder the progress of scientific research.
We can ensure that the detector does not affect the result by carefully calibrating and testing the detector before use, using appropriate shielding and filtering techniques, and implementing proper experimental controls.
While every effort is made to prevent the detector from affecting the result, there are certain scenarios where it may have a small impact. For example, in extremely sensitive experiments, the detector may introduce a small amount of noise. However, this impact is usually negligible and can be accounted for in data analysis.
We can determine if the detector is affecting the result by comparing the data obtained with and without the detector, or by conducting control experiments. If there is a significant difference in the results, it is likely that the detector is having an impact.
To minimize the impact of the detector on the result, we can use advanced signal processing techniques, optimize experimental conditions, and use multiple detectors for cross-validation. It is also important to regularly calibrate and maintain the detector to ensure its accuracy and reliability.