Measurement-induced decoherence and information in double-slit interference
Abstract
The double slit experiment provides a classic example of both interference and the effect of observation in quantum physics. When particles are sent individually through a pair of slits, a wave-like interference pattern develops, but no such interference is found when one observes which "path" the particles take. We present a model of interference, dephasing, and measurement-induced decoherence in a one-dimensional version of the double-slit experiment. Using this model, we demonstrate how the loss of interference in the system is correlated with the information gain by the measuring apparatus/observer. In doing so, we give a modern account of measurement in this paradigmatic example of quantum physics that is accessible to students taking quantum mechanics at the graduate or senior undergraduate levels.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1606.09442,
title = {Measurement-induced decoherence and information in double-slit interference},
author = {Joshua Kincaid and Kyle McLelland and Michael Zwolak},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1606.09442},
year = {2016}
}
Comments
11 pages, 5 figures