Examination of Wave-Particle Duality via Two-Slit Interference

Abstract

The wave-particle duality is the main point of demarcation between quantum and classical physics, and is the quintessential mystery of quantum mechanics. Young's two-slit interference experiment is the arch prototype of actual and gedanken experiments used as a testing ground of this duality. Quantum mechanics predicts that any detector capable of determining the path taken by a particle through one or the other of a two-slit plate will destroy the interference pattern. We will examine both the experimental and theoretical attempts to test this assertion, including a new kind of experiment, and to grasp the underlying truth behind this mystery from the earliest days to the present. Where positions differ, the views of both sides are presented in a balanced approach.

Individuality, quasi-sets and the double-slit experiment

“…An alternative theoretical solution for the problem of the physical interpretation of P ID may be found, e.g., in an independent work by Rabinowitz in [31]. This author takes into account the particle's momentum components in order to allow identification of the secondary source.…”

“…According to Mario Rabinowitz [31], "[t]he wave-particle duality is the main point of demarcation between quantum and classical physics, and is the quintessential mystery of quantum mechanics." Such a statement may be easily seen as an exaggeration.…”

Challenges to Bohr’s Wave-Particle Complementarity Principle

“…Both references [9] and [10] utilized a source emitting entangled particle pairs. Both determined the traversed slit taken by the interference particle by observing the entangled particle.…”

“…The interference particle was designated the "signal" particle and the observed particle was designated the "idler" particle by [10]. Whereas [9] called the observed particle, the "partner" particle.…”

“…Without a bias for one model over another, in 1995 Rabinowitz [9] predicted that it would be possible to ascertain the traversed slit, and still preserve the interference pattern. He proposed a novel double slit experiment in which the source emits entangled particle pairs.…”