Refinements of the interpretation of complementarity from Afshar's experiment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-31662013000100006Keywords:
Afshar’s experiment, Complementarity, Foundations of quantum mechanics, Mach-Zehnder interferometer, Philosophy of physics, Quantum-mechanical state, Retrodiction, Unruh’s experiment, Wave-particle dualityAbstract
Afshar's experiment was recently proposed as a violation of the principle of complementarity. Acknowledging the novelty brought by the experiment, we argue that it allows a refinement of this principle, with the establishment of two points: (1) the possibility of modifying the "type" of phenomenon (wave or particle) without changing the quantum-mechanical state, and (2) the recognition that the type of phenomenon, associated to a detected quantum, refers to a specific region traversed by the quantum object. The first point is explored in Mach-Zehnder interferometers, with polarization devices and in Unruh's double setup. The second point emphasizes that a phenomenon can be corpuscular with respect one region and undulatory with respect to another. Afshar's originality lies in his proposal of a way of ascertaining both simultaneously. Restriction (1) turns out having a negligible effect in Afshar's experiment.Downloads
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