Re: [asa] Quantum physics, measurement problems, other implications?

Heya Michael,

Some helped, some did not. I don't envy someone trying to understand QM for
the first time, because (at least in my case) it really felt like there was
active discouragement from dwelling on the matter for too long, or from
considering potential metaphysical ramifications.

As for the double slit experiment, I vaguely recall reading about those
variant experiments - again, the example of
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iJG6qkeMxA is what I tend to go by (keeping
in mind that the rest of the movie is rather silly). I recall similar
experiments where detectors were used, but their data was instantly erased
after each recording - in which case, back comes the interference pattern.

http://www.bottomlayer.com/bottom/kim-scully/kim-scully-web.htm - This site,
I think, does a good job of illustrating/explaining the delayed choice
quantum eraser experiment, with a good amount of detail.

As for the 'interpretation' of these experiments, that's where things get
very messy. There are plenty of interpretations, most of them very different
from each other, ranging from many-worlds/many-minds views to retrocausal
views to otherwise. I know of one physicist who views the results as
demonstrating that the universe is entirely mental (He's over at Cornell,
but his interpretation is anything but popular.)

Does this accurately describe the setup and results of a modern double slit
> experiment? Are you familiar with a double slit experiment in which a narrow
> screen perpendicular to and in the middle of the double slits is used? How
> about one in which both slits are kept open but the light source is directed
> so that the light can pass through only one slit?
>
>
>
> Will you comment please on the results of the modern double slit
> experiment? Also would you be so kind as to describe the setup, results and
> interpretation of the delayed choice and quantum eraser experiments.
>
>
>
> Thanks, Michael McCray
>
>
>

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Received on Mon Nov 24 19:05:03 2008