Title:	Nonclassical paths in quantum interference experiments
Authors:	Sawant, Rahul Samuel, J. Sinha, Aninda Sinha, Supurna Sinha, Urbasi
Issue Date:	19-Sep-2014
Publisher:	American Physical Society
Citation:	Physical Review Letters, 2014, Vol. 113 p 120406
Abstract:	In a double slit interference experiment, the wave function at the screen with both slits open is not exactly equal to the sum of the wave functions with the slits individually open one at a time. The three scenarios represent three different boundary conditions and as such, the superposition principle should not be applicable. However, most well-known text books in quantum mechanics implicitly and/or explicitly use this assumption that is only approximately true. In our present study, we have used the Feynman path integral formalism to quantify contributions from nonclassical paths in quantum interference experiments that provide a measurable deviation from a naive application of the superposition principle. A direct experimental demonstration for the existence of these nonclassical paths is difficult to present. We find that contributions from such paths can be significant and we propose simple three-slit interference experiments to directly confirm their existence.
Description:	Open Access
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/2289/6002
ISSN:	0031-9007 1079-7114(Online)
Alternative Location:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.120406 http://arxiv.org/abs/1308.2022
Copyright:	2014 American Physical Society
Appears in Collections:	Research Papers (TP)

Items in RRI Digital Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.