A double-slit optical system was used to test the possible role of consciousness in the collapse of the quantum wavefunction. The ratio of the interference pattern's double-slit spectral power to its single-slit spectral power was predicted to decrease when attention was focused toward the double slit as compared to away from it. Each test session consisted of 40 counterbalanced attention-toward and attention-away epochs, where each epoch lasted between 15 and 30 s. Data contributed by 137 people in six experiments, involving a total of 250 test sessions, indicate that on average the spectral ratio decreased as predicted (z=-4:36, p=6·10 -6 ). Another 250 control sessions conducted without observers present tested hardware, software, and analytical procedures for potential artifacts; none were identified (z=0:43, p=0:67). Variables including temperature, vibration, and signal drift were also tested, and no spurious influences were identified. By contrast, factors associated with consciousness, such as meditation experience, electrocortical markers of focused attention, and psychological factors including openness and absorption, significantly correlated in predicted ways with perturbations in the double-slit interference pattern. The results appear to be consistent with a consciousness-related interpretation of the quantum measurement problem. Ó 2012 Physics Essays Publication.
Walleczek & von Stillfried (2019) offered a critique of an experiment we conducted that was designed to explore possible psychophysical influences on interference patterns generated by an optical double-slit system. The critique claimed that one of eight planned tests in that experiment was a false-positive. Based on that claim, they raised doubts about the results of 16 similar experiments that we previously published. After properly adjusting the eight tests for multiple testing, the false-positive claim is found to be unwarranted. In addition, Walleczek & von Stillfried failed to report a true-positive outcome of a secondary planned hypothesis that remained significant after adjustment for multiple testing. We discuss these and other issues in response to the arguments offered in their critique.To date, 11 of 28 published replications of this type of experiment, reported by four independent teams, report statistically significant outcomes. Given the implications of genuine psychophysical effects on our understanding of the role of consciousness in the physical world, we encourage other researchers to replicate this experiment, and we welcome further discussion about experimental methods and theoretical models regarding this line of inquiry.
CATS allows users to mount and dismount their crystal samples remotely on the diffractometer, without entering the experimental hutch. CATS has been integrated into the automated control of FIP, allowing users to choose the wavelengths, optimize the beam intensity, mount and screen their crystal sample automatically and finally record diffraction data on the best sample(s).
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.