WAVE-PARTICLE DUALITY IN MULTI-PATH INTERFEROMETERS: GENERAL CONCEPTS AND THREE-PATH INTERFEROMETERS

DOI10.1142/S0219749908003220zbMATH Open1192.81017arXiv0710.0179WikidataQ60317787 ScholiaQ60317787MaRDI QIDQ3525383

Author name not available (Why is that?)

Publication date: 12 September 2008

Published in: (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: For two-path interferometers, the which-path predictability $mathcalP$ and the fringe visibility $mathcalV$ are familiar quantities that are much used to talk about wave-particle duality in a quantitative way. We discuss several candidates that suggest themselves as generalizations $P$ of $mathcalP$ for multi-path interferometers, and treat the case of three paths in considerable detail. To each choice for the emph{path knowledge} $P$, the emph{interference strength} $V$ -- the corresponding generalization of $mathcalV$ -- is found by a natural, operational procedure. In experimental terms it amounts to finding those equal-weight superpositions of the path amplitudes which maximize $P$ for the emerging intensities. Mathematically speaking, one needs to identify a certain optimal one among the Fourier transforms of the state of the interfering quantum object. Wave-particle duality is manifest, inasmuch as P=1 implies V=0 and V=1 implies P=0, whatever definition is chosen. The possible values of the pair $(P,V)$ are restricted to an area with corners at $(P,V)=(0,0)$, $(P,V)=(1,0)$, and $(P,V)=(0,1)$, with the shape of the border line from $(1,0)$ to $(0,1)$ depending on the particular choice for $P$ and the induced definition of $V$.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/0710.0179

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