Erratum: “Quantum interference experiments with large molecules” [Am. J. Phys. <b>71</b> (4), 319–325 (2003)]

Nairz, Olaf; Arndt, Markus; Zeilinger, Anton

doi:10.1119/1.1603277

Cited by 37 publications

(56 citation statements)

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“…The double-slit experiments have successfully demonstrated the wave nature of, e.g. electrons, neutrons, atoms, small molecules, noble gas clusters and fullerenes [1]. A process of converting coherent superpositions into classical sum of intensities manifests itself in the disappearance of the interference fringes.…”

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Quantum-classical transition for an analog of the double-slit experiment in complex collisions: Dynamical decoherence in quantum many-body systems

et al. 2007

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We study coherent superpositions of clockwise and anti-clockwise rotating intermediate complexes with overlapping resonances formed in bimolecular chemical reactions. Disintegration of such complexes represents an analog of famous double-slit experiment. The time for disappearance of the interference fringes is estimated from heuristic arguments related to fingerprints of chaotic dynamics of a classical counterpart of the coherently rotating complex. Validity of this estimate is confirmed numerically for the H+D2 chemical reaction. Thus we demonstrate the quantum-classical transition in temporal behavior of highly excited quantum many-body systems in the absence of external noise and coupling to an environment. The famous double-slit experiment [1] provides the most vivid demonstration of quantum coherent superpositions. These manifest themselves in interference fringes of the intensity due to the interference between the matter waves emerging from different slits. The double-slit experiments have successfully demonstrated the wave nature of, e.g. electrons, neutrons, atoms, small molecules, noble gas clusters and fullerenes [1]. A process of converting coherent superpositions into classical sum of intensities manifests itself in the disappearance of the interference fringes. This fundamental physical process of the emergence of classical dynamics from the quantummechanical description is referred to as the quantumclassical transition (QCT).There are two possible roots to describe QCT. The first one is decoherence [2] due to the external noise or coupling to the environment. This mechanism of QCT results from a non-unitary evolution of the system. The QCT due to the decoherence for the double-slit experiment with fullerenes has been demonstrated [3]. On the contrary, dynamical decoherence [4] describes the QCT without coupling to environment and only due to the intrinsic unitary evolution of a pure quantum state [5]. This process, unlike decoherence [2], describes the QCT on a finite time scale shorter than Heisenberg time, which diverges in the macroscopic limit [4].In this communication we address the problem of quantum-classical transition in the absence of any coupling to the environment, revealing an effect analogous to dynamical decoherence [4,5]. We focus on the QCT in a temporary quantum evolution. This problem is motivated by the work [5], where time-integration appeared to be a precondition for the quantum-classical transition. However, without disappearance of the interference fringes at fixed moment of time the QCT is clearly incomplete. This rises the question whether dynamical decoherence [4] can lead to a QCT in a way that decoherence does [2].Instead of a single-particle problem [5], we consider coherent superpositions of clockwise and anti-clockwise rotating many-body intermediate complexes (IC) with strongly overlapping resonances. Such IC can be created in atomic cluster collisions, bimolecular chemical reactions and heavy-ion collisions. The physical picture of rotational wave packets and the...

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“…The famous double-slit experiment [1] provides the most vivid demonstration of quantum coherent superpositions. These manifest themselves in interference fringes of the intensity due to the interference between the matter waves emerging from different slits.…”

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confidence: 99%

Quantum-classical transition for an analog of the double-slit experiment in complex collisions: Dynamical decoherence in quantum many-body systems

et al. 2007

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“…The largest objects so far undergoing interference experiments are C 60 and C 70 (fullerene or buckyball) [28]. These experiments involved diffraction, so one may visualize a superposition of wave packets emerging from each slit and thereafter all pairs of packets simultaneously compete in the gambler's ruin game.…”

Section: Experimental Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

How stands collapse I

Pearle¹

2007

J. Phys. A: Math. Theor.

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I review ten problems associated with the dynamical wave function collapse program, which were described in the first of these two papers. Five of these, the interaction, preferred basis, trigger, symmetry and superluminal problems, were discussed as resolved there. In this volume in honor of Abner Shimony, I discuss the five remaining problems, tails, conservation law, experimental, relativity, legitimization. Particular emphasis is given to the tails problem, first raised by Abner. The discussion of legitimization contains a new argument, that the energy density of the fluctuating field which causes collapse should exert a gravitational force. This force can be repulsive, since this energy density can be negative. Speculative illustrations of cosmological implications are offered.

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“…Recent developments of new nanoparticle sources [14,15,16] and novel detection methods [17] may soon allow one to experimentally access them in a mass regime between 10 4 and 10 6 atomic mass units (amu). Grating diffraction has already been thoroughly studied with electrons [18,19,20], neutrons [21], atoms [22,23,24] and molecules [25,26,27,28]. The Poisson spot was observed with matter waves for the first time with electrons [29,30] and later extended to 1D diffraction behind a wire and 2D interference behind either a free disk or a zone plate using neutrons [31,21], atoms [32,33] and most recently also the diatomic molecule D 2 [34].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Prospects for de Broglie Interferometry

et al. 2010

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We consider various effects that are encountered in matter wave interference experiments with massive nanoparticles. The text-book example of far-field interference at a grating is compared with diffraction into the dark field behind an opaque aperture, commonly designated as Poisson's spot or the spot of Arago. Our estimates indicate that both phenomena may still be observed in a mass range exceeding present-day experiments by at least two orders of magnitude. They both require, however, the development of sufficiently cold, intense and coherent cluster beams. While the observation of Poisson's spot offers the advantage of non-dispersiveness and a simple distinction between classical and quantum fringes in the absence of particle wall interactions, van der Waals forces may severely limit the distinguishability between genuine quantum wave diffraction and classically explicable spots already for moderately polarizable objects and diffraction elements as thin as 100 nm.

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Erratum: “Quantum interference experiments with large molecules” [Am. J. Phys. 71 (4), 319–325 (2003)]

Cited by 37 publications

References 0 publications

Quantum-classical transition for an analog of the double-slit experiment in complex collisions: Dynamical decoherence in quantum many-body systems

Quantum-classical transition for an analog of the double-slit experiment in complex collisions: Dynamical decoherence in quantum many-body systems

How stands collapse I

New Prospects for de Broglie Interferometry

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