Abstract
We simultaneously measured the momentum transferred to a free-floating molecular double slit and the momentum change of the atom scattering from it. Our experimental results are compared to quantum mechanical and semiclassical models. The results reveal that a classical description of the slits, which was used by Einstein in his debate with Bohr, provides a surprisingly good description of the experimental results, even for a microscopic system, if momentum transfer is not ascribed to a specific pathway but shared coherently and simultaneously between both.
- Received 20 March 2013
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.103201
© 2013 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Classical vs Quantum
Published 5 September 2013
An experimental realization of one of Einstein’s thought experiments shows that the quantum world is even more complex than previously thought.
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