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Double-Slit Interference Pattern for a Macroscopic Quantum System

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Abstract

In this study, we solve analytically the Schrödinger equation for a macroscopic quantum oscillator as a central system coupled to two environmental micro-oscillating particles. Then, the double-slit interference patterns are investigated in two limiting cases, considering the limits of uncertainty in the position probability distribution. Moreover, we analyze the interference patterns based on a recent proposal called stochastic electrodynamics with spin. Our results show that when the quantum character of the macro-system is decreased, the diffraction pattern becomes more similar to a classical one. We also show that, depending on the size of the slits, the predictions of quantum approach could be apparently different with those of the aforementioned stochastic description.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Group on Foundations of Quantum Theory and Information, Department of Chemistry, Sharif University of Technology, P.O.Box 11365-9516, Tehran, Iran

    Hamid Reza Naeij & Afshin Shafiee

  2. School of Physics, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), P.O.Box 19395-5531, Tehran, Iran

    Afshin Shafiee

Authors
  1. Hamid Reza Naeij
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  2. Afshin Shafiee
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Correspondence to Afshin Shafiee.

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Naeij, H.R., Shafiee, A. Double-Slit Interference Pattern for a Macroscopic Quantum System. Found Phys 46, 1634–1648 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-016-0034-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-016-0034-7

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