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Analysis of double-slit interference experiment at the atomic level
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics ( IF 1.663 ) Pub Date : 2019-08-01 , DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsb.2019.04.009
Jonathan F. Schonfeld

Abstract I argue that the marquis characteristics of the quantum-mechanical double-slit experiment (point detection, random distribution, Born rule) can be explained using Schroedinger's equation alone, if one takes into account that, for any atom in a detector, there is a small but nonzero gap between its excitation energy and the excitation energies of all other relevant atoms in the detector (isolated-levels assumption). To illustrate the point I introduce a toy model of a detector. The form of the model follows common practice in quantum optics and cavity QED. Each detector atom can be resonantly excited by the incoming particle, and then emit a detection signature (e.g., bright flash of light) or dissipate its energy thermally. Different atoms have slightly different resonant energies per the isolated-levels assumption, and the projectile preferentially excites the atom with the closest energy match. The toy model permits one easily to estimate the probability that any atom is resonantly excited, and also that a detection signature is produced before being overtaken by thermal dissipation. The end-to-end detection probability is the product of these two probabilities, and is proportional to the absolute-square of the incoming wavefunction at the atom in question, i.e. the Born rule. I consider how closely a published neutron interference experiment conforms to the picture developed here; I show how this paper's analysis steers clear of creating a scenario with local hidden variables; I show how the analysis steers clear of the irreversibility implicit in the projection postulate; and I discuss possible experimental tests of this paper's ideas. Hopefully, this is a significant step toward realizing the program of solving the measurement problem within unitary quantum mechanics envisioned by Landsman, among others.

中文翻译:

原子级双缝干涉实验分析

摘要我认为,量子力学双缝实验的侯爵特征(点检测,随机分布,伯恩法则)可以仅使用薛定inger方程来解释,如果考虑到检测器中的任何原子存在它的激发能与检测器中所有其他相关原子的激发能之间的一个很小但不为零的间隙(假设为隔离水平)。为了说明这一点,我介绍了探测器的玩具模型。模型的形式遵循量子光学和腔QED中的常规做法。每个检测器原子可以被入射粒子共振激发,然后发出检测信号(例如,明亮的闪光)或热耗散其能量。根据孤立水平的假设,不同原子的共振能量略有不同,弹丸优先激发能量匹配最接近的原子。玩具模型使人们可以轻松地估计任何原子被共振激发的可能性,并且还可以在被散热取代之前产生检测信号。端到端检测概率是这两个概率的乘积,并且与所讨论的原子处入射波函数的绝对平方成正比,即Born规则。我认为已发表的中子干扰实验与此处开发的图片有多接近?我将展示本文的分析如何避免创建具有局部隐藏变量的场景;我将说明分析如何避免预测假设中隐含的不可逆性。我讨论了本文思想的可能的实验测试。希望,
更新日期:2019-08-01
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