Nonclassical Paths in Quantum Interference Experiments

Sawant, Rahul and Samuel, Joseph and Sinha, Aninda and Sinha, Supurna and Sinha, Urbasi (2014) Nonclassical Paths in Quantum Interference Experiments. In: PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, 113 (12).

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Abstract

In a double slit interference experiment, the wave function at the screen with both slits open is not exactly equal to the sum of the wave functions with the slits individually open one at a time. The three scenarios represent three different boundary conditions and as such, the superposition principle should not be applicable. However, most well-known text books in quantum mechanics implicitly and/or explicitly use this assumption that is only approximately true. In our present study, we have used the Feynman path integral formalism to quantify contributions from nonclassical paths in quantum interference experiments that provide a measurable deviation from a naive application of the superposition principle. A direct experimental demonstration for the existence of these nonclassical paths is difficult to present. We find that contributions from such paths can be significant and we propose simple three-slit interference experiments to directly confirm their existence.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
Publisher:	AMER PHYSICAL SOC
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the AMER PHYSICAL SOC, ONE PHYSICS ELLIPSE, COLLEGE PK, MD 20740-3844 USA.
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Centre for High Energy Physics
Date Deposited:	08 Nov 2014 05:04
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2014 05:04
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/50159

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