Abstract
A modified Young double-slit experiment proposed by Wootters and Zurek is considered in which a system P of parallel plates covered with a photographic emulsion has been set up in the region where we would normally expect the central interference fringes. Because under certain conditions P makes it possible to conclude with much more than50% certainty through which of the two slits each particular photon passed, the relevant interference pattern becomes blurred. It is proved that this implies a retroactive effect because the setup of P and the interaction of photons with P appear to influence the momentum transferred to the photons by the edges of the slits at an earlier stage of the experiment.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
C. W. Rietdijk,Found. Phys. 8, 615 (1978).
W. K. Wootters and W. H. Zurek,Phys. Rev. D 19(2), 473 (1979).
J. A. Wheeler, The past and the “delayed-choice” double-slit experiment. InMathematical Foundations of Quantum Theory, A. R. Marlow (New York, 1978).
C. W. Rietdijk,Found. Phys. 10, 403 (1980).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rietdijk, C.W. Another proof that the future can influence the present. Found Phys 11, 783–790 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00726948
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00726948