Nonmonotonic quantum-to-classical transition in multiparticle interference

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Quantum-mechanical wave-particle duality implies that probability distributions for granular detection events exhibit wave-like interference. On the single-particle level, this leads to self-interference-e.g., on transit across a double slit-for photons as well as for large, massive particles, provided that no which-way information is available to any observer, even in principle. When more than one particle enters the game, their specific many-particle quantum features are manifested in correlation functions, provided the particles cannot be distinguished. We are used to believe that interference fades away monotonically with increasing distinguishability-in accord with available experimental evidence on the single- and on the many-particle level. Here, we demonstrate experimentally and theoretically that such monotonicity of the quantum-to-classical transition is the exception rather than the rule whenever more than two particles interfere. As the distinguishability of the particles is continuously increased, different numbers of particles effectively interfere, which leads to interference signals that are, in general, nonmonotonic functions of the distinguishability of the particles. This observation opens perspectives for the experimental characterization of many-particle coherence and sheds light on decoherence processes in many-particle systems.
Publisher
NATL ACAD SCIENCES
Issue Date
2013-01
Language
English
Article Type
Article
Keywords

TEMPORAL DISTINGUISHABILITY; 2-PHOTON INTERFERENCE; BEAM SPLITTER; SINGLE-PHOTON; DECOHERENCE; STATE

Citation

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v.110, no.4, pp.1227 - 1231

ISSN
0027-8424
DOI
10.1073/pnas.1206910110
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10203/247192
Appears in Collection
PH-Journal Papers(저널논문)
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