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chris2112
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How exactly do physicists detect if a particle goes through one slit or the other in the double-slit experiment? Every book and article I read seems to elude this part.
chris2112 said:OK, so you can detect if a charged particle goes through one slit or the other by changes in current flows placed at each slit. What about particles with no charge like photons? Are there other methods or are certain particles like photons just omitted for the double slit experiment with detection?
A double-slit detector works by shining a beam of particles, such as electrons or photons, through two closely spaced slits onto a screen. The particles passing through the slits will interfere with each other, creating a pattern of light and dark fringes on the screen. This pattern can be recorded and analyzed to reveal information about the properties of the particles, such as their position and momentum.
Double-slit detectors can be used to detect a wide range of particles, including electrons, photons, and even larger particles like atoms and molecules. The size and spacing of the slits can be adjusted to accommodate different types of particles, making this a versatile tool for particle detection in various fields of physics.
The results from a double-slit detector can provide valuable information about the behavior of particles and their underlying quantum properties. By analyzing the interference pattern, physicists can determine the position, momentum, and other characteristics of particles. This information can help to further our understanding of the fundamental laws of nature.
Yes, a double-slit detector can be used to detect multiple particles at once. However, the interference pattern produced will become more complex, making it more difficult to analyze. To overcome this challenge, physicists have developed techniques such as using single particles at a time or using detectors with higher resolution to accurately measure the interference pattern.
While double-slit detectors are a powerful tool for detecting particles, they do have some limitations. For example, the results can be affected by environmental factors such as air currents or vibrations, which can disrupt the interference pattern. Additionally, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle states that it is impossible to know both the position and momentum of a particle with absolute certainty, which can introduce some uncertainty into the results obtained from a double-slit detector.