- #1
San K
- 911
- 1
in a double slit experiment, if we find which-way and then stop observing the photon and send it again through another double slit (kept in, say, series), would an interference pattern occur?...the second time around
CJames said:If I am envisioning your thought experiment correctly, then yes.
Just to make sure I'm visualizing the same thing, you're talking about letting the photon pass through a detection screen, then through a second double slit, then to a second detector, you should be able to get a second interference pattern, in theory, as long as the experiment is set up correctly.
San K said:thanks CJames. so in the first screen there would be no interference pattern (because we got which-way) however the second screen would have the interference pattern.
so getting which-way causes the photon to behave as a particle but only for a short period of time, when we are observing the photon?
The collapse of the wave function, also known as wave function collapse or quantum state reduction, is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics. It refers to the sudden and unpredictable change in the state of a quantum system when it is observed or measured. This change is often described as the collapse of a superposition of states into a single definite state.
The exact cause of the collapse of the wave function is still a subject of debate in the scientific community. Some theories suggest that it is due to the interaction between the quantum system and the measuring apparatus, while others propose that it is a result of the consciousness of the observer. However, the collapse of the wave function is a well-established phenomenon that has been observed in numerous experiments.
The creation of the wave function, also known as wave function evolution, is a process that occurs naturally in quantum systems. It is described by the Schrödinger equation, which determines how the wave function of a system changes over time. This evolution is deterministic and can be calculated using mathematical tools, but the results are probabilistic and cannot predict the exact state of the system at any given time.
There are some theories in quantum mechanics that suggest ways to avoid the collapse of the wave function, such as the many-worlds interpretation or the pilot-wave theory. However, these are still highly debated and have not been experimentally proven. In general, the collapse of the wave function is an inevitable part of quantum mechanics and is necessary for the measurement process and our understanding of the physical world.
The collapse of the wave function is a concept that is often discussed in the context of quantum mechanics and does not have a direct impact on our daily lives. However, it plays a crucial role in technologies such as transistors, lasers, and MRI machines, which rely on the principles of quantum mechanics. Without a proper understanding of the collapse of the wave function, these technologies would not be possible.