Key Experiment and Quantum Reasoning

authored by: Moritz Waitzmann, Kim-Alessandro Weber, Susanne Weßnigk, Rüdiger Scholz
Abstract: For around five decades, physicists have been experimenting with single quanta such as single photons. Insofar as the practised ensemble reasoning has become obsolete for the interpretation of these experiments, the non-classical intrinsic probabilistic nature of quantum theory has gained increased importance. One of the most important exclusive features of quantum physics is the undeniable existence of the superposition of states, even for single quantum objects. One known example of this effect is entanglement. In this paper, two classically contradictory phenomena are combined to one single experiment. This experiment incontestably shows that a single photon incident on an optical beam splitter can either be reflected or transmitted. The almost complete absence of coincident clicks of two photodetectors demonstrates that these two output states are incompatible. However, when combining these states using two mirrors, we can observe interference patterns in the counting rate of the single photon detector. The only explanation for this is that the two incompatible output states are prepared and kept simultaneously—a typical consequence of a quantum superposition of states. (Semi-)classical physical concepts fail here, and a full quantum concept is predestined to explain the complementary experimental outcomes for the quantum optical “non-waves” called single photons. In this paper, we intend to demonstrate that a true quantum physical key experiment (“true” in the sense that it cannot be explained by any classical physical concept), when combined with full quantum reasoning (probability, superposition and interference), influences students’ readiness to use quantum elements for interpretation.
Organisation(s): Abteilung Physikdidaktik
Institute of Quantum Optics
QUEST-Leibniz Research School
CRC 1227 Designed Quantum States of Matter (DQ-mat)
Type: Article
Journal: Physics
Volume: 4
Pages: 1202-1229
No. of pages: 28
ISSN: 2624-8174
Publication date: 08.10.2022
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Physics and Astronomy(all)
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.3390/physics4040078 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{318f26d4e2b748f8ab0783b86c317dca,
title = "Key Experiment and Quantum Reasoning",
abstract = "For around five decades, physicists have been experimenting with single quanta such as single photons. Insofar as the practised ensemble reasoning has become obsolete for the interpretation of these experiments, the non-classical intrinsic probabilistic nature of quantum theory has gained increased importance. One of the most important exclusive features of quantum physics is the undeniable existence of the superposition of states, even for single quantum objects. One known example of this effect is entanglement. In this paper, two classically contradictory phenomena are combined to one single experiment. This experiment incontestably shows that a single photon incident on an optical beam splitter can either be reflected or transmitted. The almost complete absence of coincident clicks of two photodetectors demonstrates that these two output states are incompatible. However, when combining these states using two mirrors, we can observe interference patterns in the counting rate of the single photon detector. The only explanation for this is that the two incompatible output states are prepared and kept simultaneously—a typical consequence of a quantum superposition of states. (Semi-)classical physical concepts fail here, and a full quantum concept is predestined to explain the complementary experimental outcomes for the quantum optical “non-waves” called single photons. In this paper, we intend to demonstrate that a true quantum physical key experiment (“true” in the sense that it cannot be explained by any classical physical concept), when combined with full quantum reasoning (probability, superposition and interference), influences students{\textquoteright} readiness to use quantum elements for interpretation.",
keywords = "key experiment, nature of science, physics education, quantum reasoning, quantum theory, scientific literacy, single photon experiments",
author = "Moritz Waitzmann and Kim-Alessandro Weber and Susanne We{\ss}nigk and R{\"u}diger Scholz",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 by the authors.",
year = "2022",
month = oct,
day = "8",
doi = "10.3390/physics4040078",
language = "English",
volume = "4",
pages = "1202--1229",
journal = "Physics",
issn = "2624-8174",
publisher = "MDPI AG",
number = "4",
}