The photon, its mode function and complementarity
read the original abstract
We probe the principle of complementarity by performing a double-slit experiment based on entangled photons created by spontaneous parametric down-conversion from a pump mode in a TEM01-mode. Our setup brings out the need for a careful selection of the signal-idler photon pairs for our study of visibility and distinguishability. Indeed, when the signal photons interfering at the double-slit belong to this double-hump mode we obtain almost perfect visibility of the interference fringes and no "which-slit" information is available. However, when we break the symmetry between the two maxima of the mode by detecting the entangled idler photon, the paths through the slits become distinguishable and the visibility vanishes. It is the mode function of the photons selected by the detection system which decides if interference, or "which-slit" information is accessible in the experiment.
This paper has not been read by Pith yet.
discussion (0)
Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.