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Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Anukshan Ghosh on 09/01/2011 15:31:30

Title: Are the results of Youngs Double Slit Experiment concluded incorrectly
Post by: Anukshan Ghosh on 09/01/2011 15:31:30
In Youngs Double Slit Experiment wasn't there the slightest possibility of the photon from the gun interacting with the photon it evoked from the matter omnipresent in a very negligible period of time in its path to the slit and hence giving us a feel of  photon splitting and interacting with itself.[diagram=617_0]
Title: Re: Are the results of Youngs Double Slit Experiment concluded incorrectly
Post by: Soul Surfer on 09/01/2011 19:03:02
Your question and explanation of the perceived problem are unclear to me.  Could you please explain more clearly with more detail and then I or someone else may be able to help you.
Title: Re: Are the results of Youngs Double Slit Experiment concluded incorrectly
Post by: sciconoclast on 10/01/2011 17:00:45
I am not an authority but I think I can answer your question.

The probability of a photon encountering matter in the atmosphere and interacting in a manner that would result in two photons being emitted in the direction of the double slit and at the original energy level is two remote to even be calculated.

In single photon experiments many photons are individually shot intermittently at the double slit.   They gradually build into a interference pattern over time.   Any random effect would have to occur consistently with each photon if it where to produce this result.

The idea that the photon goes through both slits and interferes with itself is a popular misconception.   The QT explanation is more like a photon occurs at the detector where there is a high probability for both paths to that position.

If you are leaning towards something physical actually splitting and interfering with itself, the theory that is second in prominence to Bohr's non-locality is the Brogile-Bohm theory. In this theory an actual pilot wave is split by both slits and causes an interference pattern with itself that guides the photon which only pases through one slit.  If you are unhappy with both of theses theories you have a lot of company.

I would like to complement you on thinking outside the box.   Keep it up.  One day it may lead to something important   
Title: Re: Are the results of Youngs Double Slit Experiment concluded incorrectly
Post by: Bill S on 11/01/2011 00:58:02
Here are some more thoughts on the double slit experiment.


Using the EVA equation and setting the value of “c” at 1, and the speed of light in water (RI:1.33) as 0.75, observers travelling at different speeds relative to the light measure different combined speeds.  Thus the constancy of the speed of light is lost once light is not travelling in a vacuum. 

However, Kirby Gillis (Science a Go Go) pointed out that if 0.75 is taken as the maximum speed of light in that medium, and the speed of light in the EVA equation is set at 0.75, then the constancy of the measurement of the speed of light returns.

I find myself wondering if this is just a mathematical oddity, or if some significance can be attached to it.  For example, light travelling at “c” is, in its own F of R, everywhere at once; there is no time dimension.  Could it be that light that appears, to an outside observer, to be travelling at 0.75c (or any other sub-c speed, depending on the medium) is still everywhere at once in its own F of R?

Let’s take this a step further out of the box.  Perhaps light, in its own F of R, is not subject to time, because, in its own F of R it is always travelling at “c”.  If this is the case, photons passing singly through a double slit set-up are doing so at different times only in the F of R of the experimenter.  In their own F of R there is no time difference, thus, the interference pattern found in single photon experiments is no longer a surprise.  All that remains is to work out why observation destroys the interference pattern.
Title: Re: Are the results of Youngs Double Slit Experiment concluded incorrectly
Post by: lightarrow on 13/01/2011 09:20:21
In Youngs Double Slit Experiment wasn't there the slightest possibility of the photon from the gun interacting with the photon it evoked from the matter omnipresent in a very negligible period of time in its path to the slit and hence giving us a feel of  photon splitting and interacting with itself.
Then the interference pattern should depend on the physical property of that matter (I think you are referring to the matter around the slits), for example on its temperature, composition, etc. It doesn't. It only depends on the slits dimensions and distances.
Title: Are the results of Youngs Double Slit Experiment concluded incorrectly
Post by: Anukshan Ghosh on 13/01/2011 11:04:43
Thank you for those suggestions but i still doubt 'cause photons evoked from matter do not depend on the matter or its temperature since here we are dealing with single molecules of the matter and not the environment as a whole. Since their world is so small random effects do happen consistently may be a million times in a try. The probability of both the paths to be traversed is another way to state the same.I am sorry if I am wrong in stating so.Since I have just started my studies I am not well acquainted with EVA equation and its implications.
Title: Are the results of Youngs Double Slit Experiment concluded incorrectly
Post by: lightarrow on 13/01/2011 16:47:44
Single molecules? So you are referring to the air molecules in the environment?
Title: Are the results of Youngs Double Slit Experiment concluded incorrectly
Post by: yor_on on 14/01/2011 10:28:33
It's a nice question, and one I missed too :)
But it's easily tested. Just do the two slit experiment in a vacuum.
==

Ah. And that the universe already is doing for us if I remember right.
Title: Are the results of Youngs Double Slit Experiment concluded incorrectly
Post by: Anukshan Ghosh on 15/01/2011 06:52:11
I didn't get you.I knew it could be tested in vacuum ,but has been never done.Then when did the universe do it for us,if so you remember?