Key Experiment and Quantum Reasoning

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungPeer-Review

Autoren

  • Moritz Waitzmann
  • Kim-Alessandro Weber
  • Susanne Weßnigk
  • Rüdiger Scholz
Forschungs-netzwerk anzeigen

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)1202-1229
Seitenumfang28
FachzeitschriftPhysics
Jahrgang4
Ausgabenummer4
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 8 Okt. 2022

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.

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Zitieren

Key Experiment and Quantum Reasoning. / Waitzmann, Moritz; Weber, Kim-Alessandro; Weßnigk, Susanne et al.
in: Physics, Jahrgang 4, Nr. 4, 08.10.2022, S. 1202-1229.

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungPeer-Review

Waitzmann, M, Weber, K-A, Weßnigk, S & Scholz, R 2022, 'Key Experiment and Quantum Reasoning', Physics, Jg. 4, Nr. 4, S. 1202-1229. https://doi.org/10.3390/physics4040078
Waitzmann, M., Weber, K.-A., Weßnigk, S., & Scholz, R. (2022). Key Experiment and Quantum Reasoning. Physics, 4(4), 1202-1229. https://doi.org/10.3390/physics4040078
Waitzmann M, Weber KA, Weßnigk S, Scholz R. Key Experiment and Quantum Reasoning. Physics. 2022 Okt 8;4(4):1202-1229. doi: 10.3390/physics4040078
Waitzmann, Moritz ; Weber, Kim-Alessandro ; Weßnigk, Susanne et al. / Key Experiment and Quantum Reasoning. in: Physics. 2022 ; Jahrgang 4, Nr. 4. S. 1202-1229.
Download
@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",
number = "4",

}

Download

TY - JOUR

T1 - Key Experiment and Quantum Reasoning

AU - Waitzmann, Moritz

AU - Weber, Kim-Alessandro

AU - Weßnigk, Susanne

AU - Scholz, Rüdiger

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.

PY - 2022/10/8

Y1 - 2022/10/8

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - key experiment

KW - nature of science

KW - physics education

KW - quantum reasoning

KW - quantum theory

KW - scientific literacy

KW - single photon experiments

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85144728469&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3390/physics4040078

DO - 10.3390/physics4040078

M3 - Article

VL - 4

SP - 1202

EP - 1229

JO - Physics

JF - Physics

SN - 2624-8174

IS - 4

ER -