English

N-slit interference: Path integrals, Bohmian trajectories

Quantum Physics 2010-01-25 v2

Abstract

Path integrals give a possibility to compute in details routes of particles from particle sources through slit gratings and further to detectors. The path integral for a particle passing through the Gaussian slit results in the Gaussian wavepacket. The wavepackets prepared on N slits and superposed together give rise to interference pattern in the near-field zone. It transforms to diffraction in the far-field zone represented by divergent principal rays, at that all rays are partitioned from each other by (N-2) subsidiary rays. The Bohmian trajectories in the near-field zone of N-slit gratings show wavy behavior. And they become straight in the far-field zone. The trajectories show zigzag behavior on the interference Talbot carpet (ratio of particle wavelength to a distance between slits are much smaller than 1 and N>>1). Interference from the the N-slit gratings is simulated by scattering monochromatic neutrons (wavelength=0.5 nm). Also we have considered simulation of interference fringes arising at scattering on an N-slit grating of fullerene molecules (according to the real experiment stated in e-print 1001.0468).

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1001.0661,
  title  = {N-slit interference: Path integrals, Bohmian trajectories},
  author = {Valeriy I Sbitnev},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1001.0661},
  year   = {2010}
}

Comments

17 pages, 16 figures, added simulation of the fullerene molecular interference and 4 figures. PACS numbers: 03.75.-b, 03.75.Dg, 42.25.Fx, 42.25.Hz, 45.20.Jj, 47.10.Df, 61.05.fm

R2 v1 2026-06-21T14:31:01.552Z