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Quantum mechanical which-way experiment with an internal degree of freedom

Author

Listed:
  • Konrad Banaszek

    (Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, ul. Hoża 69)

  • Paweł Horodecki

    (Faculty of Applied Physics and Mathematics, Technical University of Gdańsk
    National Quantum Information Center of Gdańsk)

  • Michał Karpiński

    (Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, ul. Hoża 69
    Present address: Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, UK)

  • Czesław Radzewicz

    (Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, ul. Hoża 69)

Abstract

For a particle travelling through an interferometer, the trade-off between the available which-way information and the interference visibility provides a lucid manifestation of the quantum mechanical wave–particle duality. Here we analyse this relation for a particle possessing an internal degree of freedom such as spin. We quantify the trade-off with a general inequality that paints an unexpectedly intricate picture of wave–particle duality when internal states are involved. Strikingly, in some instances which-way information becomes erased by introducing classical uncertainty in the internal degree of freedom. Furthermore, even imperfect interference visibility measured for a suitable set of spin preparations can be sufficient to infer absence of which-way information. General results are illustrated with a proof-of-principle single-photon experiment.

Suggested Citation

  • Konrad Banaszek & Paweł Horodecki & Michał Karpiński & Czesław Radzewicz, 2013. "Quantum mechanical which-way experiment with an internal degree of freedom," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms3594
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3594
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