Neutron Interferometer Experiments Studying Fundamental Features of Quantum Mechanics
Quantum theory provides us with the best account of microscopic components of matter as well as of radiation. It was introduced in the twentieth century and has experienced a wide range of success. Although the theory’s probabilistic predictions of final experimental outcomes is found to be correct...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-2004/11/6/98 |
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| author | Armin Danner Hartmut Lemmel Richard Wagner Stephan Sponar Yuji Hasegawa |
| author_facet | Armin Danner Hartmut Lemmel Richard Wagner Stephan Sponar Yuji Hasegawa |
| author_sort | Armin Danner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Quantum theory provides us with the best account of microscopic components of matter as well as of radiation. It was introduced in the twentieth century and has experienced a wide range of success. Although the theory’s probabilistic predictions of final experimental outcomes is found to be correct with high precision, there is no general consensus regarding what is actually going on with a quantum system “en route”, or rather the perceivable intermediate behavior of a quantum system, e.g., the particle’s behavior in the double-slit experiment. Neutron interferometry using single silicon perfect crystals is established as a versatile tool to test fundamental phenomena in quantum mechanics, where an incident neutron beam is coherently split in two or three beam paths with macroscopic separation of several centimeters. Here, we present quantum optical experiments with these matter-wave interferometers, studying the effect of the quantum Cheshire Cat in some variants, the neutron’s presence in the paths of the interferometer as well as the direct test of a commutation relation. To reduce disturbances induced by the measurement, the interaction strength is lessened and so-called weak interactions are exploited by employing pre- and post-selection procedures. All results of the experiments confirm the predictions of quantum theory; the observed behaviors of the neutron between the pre- and post-selection in space and time emphasize striking and counter-intuitive aspects of quantum theory. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:47:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ecfbd441464e48b7be946c131de1c814 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2218-2004 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:47:17Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atoms |
| spelling | doaj.art-ecfbd441464e48b7be946c131de1c8142023-11-18T09:15:43ZengMDPI AGAtoms2218-20042023-06-011169810.3390/atoms11060098Neutron Interferometer Experiments Studying Fundamental Features of Quantum MechanicsArmin Danner0Hartmut Lemmel1Richard Wagner2Stephan Sponar3Yuji Hasegawa4Atominstitut, TU Wien, Stadionallee 2, 1020 Vienna, AustriaAtominstitut, TU Wien, Stadionallee 2, 1020 Vienna, AustriaInstitut Laue Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, FranceAtominstitut, TU Wien, Stadionallee 2, 1020 Vienna, AustriaAtominstitut, TU Wien, Stadionallee 2, 1020 Vienna, AustriaQuantum theory provides us with the best account of microscopic components of matter as well as of radiation. It was introduced in the twentieth century and has experienced a wide range of success. Although the theory’s probabilistic predictions of final experimental outcomes is found to be correct with high precision, there is no general consensus regarding what is actually going on with a quantum system “en route”, or rather the perceivable intermediate behavior of a quantum system, e.g., the particle’s behavior in the double-slit experiment. Neutron interferometry using single silicon perfect crystals is established as a versatile tool to test fundamental phenomena in quantum mechanics, where an incident neutron beam is coherently split in two or three beam paths with macroscopic separation of several centimeters. Here, we present quantum optical experiments with these matter-wave interferometers, studying the effect of the quantum Cheshire Cat in some variants, the neutron’s presence in the paths of the interferometer as well as the direct test of a commutation relation. To reduce disturbances induced by the measurement, the interaction strength is lessened and so-called weak interactions are exploited by employing pre- and post-selection procedures. All results of the experiments confirm the predictions of quantum theory; the observed behaviors of the neutron between the pre- and post-selection in space and time emphasize striking and counter-intuitive aspects of quantum theory.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-2004/11/6/98neutron interferometrydouble slitwhich-wayweak valuequantum Cheshire Catdelayed-choice |
| spellingShingle | Armin Danner Hartmut Lemmel Richard Wagner Stephan Sponar Yuji Hasegawa Neutron Interferometer Experiments Studying Fundamental Features of Quantum Mechanics Atoms neutron interferometry double slit which-way weak value quantum Cheshire Cat delayed-choice |
| title | Neutron Interferometer Experiments Studying Fundamental Features of Quantum Mechanics |
| title_full | Neutron Interferometer Experiments Studying Fundamental Features of Quantum Mechanics |
| title_fullStr | Neutron Interferometer Experiments Studying Fundamental Features of Quantum Mechanics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neutron Interferometer Experiments Studying Fundamental Features of Quantum Mechanics |
| title_short | Neutron Interferometer Experiments Studying Fundamental Features of Quantum Mechanics |
| title_sort | neutron interferometer experiments studying fundamental features of quantum mechanics |
| topic | neutron interferometry double slit which-way weak value quantum Cheshire Cat delayed-choice |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-2004/11/6/98 |
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