Fig. 1. Schematic of our experimental setup using the MZI for photon WPS observations. Credit: Zhong-Xiao Man
Understanding the nature of the behavior of quantum objects is the prerequisite for a reasonable description of the quantum world. Depending on whether the interference can be produced or not, the quantum object is endowed with dual characteristics of wave and particle, that is, the so-called wave-particle duality (WPD), which is generally observed in what we call mutually. exclusive experimental devices in the sense of Bohr’s principle of complementarity.
Theoretical physicist John Wheeler proposed the delayed choice experiment in the 1980s, emphasizing that the methods used to observe photons will ultimately determine whether their behavior resembles that of particles or waves.
In 2011, Ionicioiu and Terno proposed a quantum version of the delayed choice experiment, by which the photon can be forced into a superimposed state of particle and wave and exhibits continuous morphing between these two sides with modification of the parameter of control of the ancilla.
In a recent study published in Physical examination AWe developed theory and performed experiments to study the dual behaviors of one and two photons as a wave or particle, relying on the configuration schematically sketched in Figure 1 and detailed in Figure 2.
Fig. 2. Experimental setup for observing various photon behaviors. Credit: Zhong-Xiao Man
Using the proposed configuration, we were able to observe the purely wave, purely particle or wave-particle-superposition type behaviors of one photon or two photons by adjusting a single classical control parameter, α, which is proportional to the reflectivity of the beam splitter that we added to the Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
We found that the wavelengths of one and two photons in wave-particle superposition states remain the same as those in pure wave states. The visibility of interference in the two-photon case is always lower than that in the one-photon case. All the experimental results agree perfectly with the theoretical predictions, certifying the relevance of the device we propose.
Our delayed choice experiment design adopts a device-independent preparation and measurement scenario to test the hidden variable model with purely classical control. We calculated the corresponding dimensional witnesses and revealed the violation of the linear dimensional witness in a certain range of parameters, demonstrating the impossibility of hidden variable models. Although in this work we considered photons, similar results would also apply to matter particles.
This story is part of Science X Dialog, where researchers can report the results of their published research articles. Visit this page for more information about ScienceX Dialog and how to get involved.
More information:
Qing-Feng Xue et al, One- and two-photon wave-particle superpositions: theory and experiment, Physical examination A (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.108.022223
© 2024 Science X Network. All rights reserved.
Quote: Researchers observe the wave-particle duality of two photons (January 17, 2024) retrieved January 17, 2024 from
This document is subject to copyright. Except for fair use for private study or research purposes, no part may be reproduced without written permission. The content is provided for information only.
