Project Overview

Investigations of Novel Quantum in Photon Interference

Faculty Sponsor

Kiko Galvez (egalvez@colgate.edu)

Department(s)

Physics and Astronomy
Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

The interference of single photons going through two slits is an iconic demonstration of wave-particle duality. It verifies the predictions of quantum mechanics. When the number of slits is greater than two, there are more possibilities. Quantum mechanics predicts that the interference pattern is due to pairwise slit interference, but not thrice or more. Non-pairwise interference may indicate that quantum mechanics approach to this problem needs a revision. These possibilities entail "looped trajectories" that defy our intuition, where the photon enters one slit and loops sround adjacent slits before reaching the screen. Our laboratory capabilities allow us to test this question. We will generate single photons, make them interact with multi-slit reticles, and measure the resulting interference patterns with a "single-photon" camera. We wil then compare our results with the predictions of quantum mechanics. This research will entail working with laser and single-photon beams, manipulating and steering them through fibers, and performing interference experiments. The outcomes of this researh will be presented at conferences and published in professional journals.

Student Qualifications

One year of physics.

Number of Student Researchers

1 student

Project Length

8 weeks


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If you have questions, please contact Karyn Belanger (kgbelanger@colgate.edu).