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Understanding Modified Two-Slit Experiments Using Path Markers

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Abstract

Some modified two-slit interference experiments were carried out showing an apparent paradox in wave–particle duality. In a typical such experiment, the screen, where the interference pattern is supposed to be formed, is replaced by a converging lens. The converging lens forms the images of the two slits at two spatially separated detectors. It was claimed that each of these two detectors give information about which slit a photon came from, even though they come from the region of interference. These experiments generated a lot of debate. The various refutations pointed out that the controversial claims involved some questionable assumptions. However the refutations were largely philosophical in nature, and one may like to substantiate those with arguments which are testable, at least in principle. Here such an experiment is theoretically analyzed by introducing path markers which are two orthogonal polarization states of the photon. Analyzing the polarization at the two detectors shows that the photons which give rise to interference, and reach a particular detector, always come from both the slits. This provides clarity in understanding such experiments by making use of testable quantum correlations.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wishes to thank the two anonymous referees for their various suggestions which led to much improved clarity and readability of the paper. The author is thankful to Alexandra Elbakyan for her support.

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  1. Centre for Theoretical Physics, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India

    Tabish Qureshi

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  1. Tabish Qureshi
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Correspondence to Tabish Qureshi.

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Qureshi, T. Understanding Modified Two-Slit Experiments Using Path Markers. Found Phys 53, 38 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-023-00684-z

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