Complementarity in the double-slit experiment: Quantum nonseparability and a quantitative statement of Bohr's principle

William K. Wootters and Wojciech H. Zurek
Phys. Rev. D 19, 473 – Published 15 January 1979
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

A detailed analysis of Einstein's version of the double-slit experiment, in which one tries to observe both wave and particle properties of light, is performed. Quantum nonseparability appears in the derivation of the interference pattern, which proves to be surprisingly sharp even when the trajectories of the photons have been determined with fairly high accuracy. An information-theoretic approach to this problem leads to a quantitative formulation of Bohr's complementarity principle for the case of the double-slit experiment. A practically realizable version of this experiment, to which the above analysis applies, is proposed.

  • Received 10 July 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.19.473

©1979 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

William K. Wootters and Wojciech H. Zurek

  • Center for Theoretical Physics and Center for Statistical Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712

Comments & Replies

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 19, Iss. 2 — 15 January 1979

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review D

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×