The Plural Quanta: Expanding the Wavefunction

Abstract

The double-slit experiment—no matter how much it might “make sense” according to its own weird internal logic—nevertheless may leave you feeling like the victim of a grand conspiracy. Trying to observe exactly how the interference pattern is formed is a bit like trying to see a reflection of yourself with your eyes closed. One may get the distinct impression that quantum particles are mischievous little beings, who only “play nice” when they know they are being watched. If this is how you feel, then hold on to your hat, because things will get a whole lot weirder.