Author
Listed:
- Jeff S. Lundeen
(Institute for National Measurement Standards, National Research Council, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0R6)
- Brandon Sutherland
(Institute for National Measurement Standards, National Research Council, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0R6)
- Aabid Patel
(Institute for National Measurement Standards, National Research Council, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0R6)
- Corey Stewart
(Institute for National Measurement Standards, National Research Council, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0R6)
- Charles Bamber
(Institute for National Measurement Standards, National Research Council, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0R6)
Abstract
What is a wavefunction? The wavefunction, describing both the wave-like and the particle-like nature of everything in the Universe, is central to quantum theory. Physicists usually learn about it indirectly in tomographic experiments that measure only some aspects of its behaviour. Now a team from Canada's Institute for National Measurement Standards has developed a new and gentle technique that makes it possible to observe the wavefunction directly. They demonstrate the approach by measuring the transverse spatial wavefunction of a single photon. The discovery that the wavefunction can be probed directly provides a tool that could prove useful in a wide range of fields, and raises questions bordering on the philosophical about what the wavefunction actually is.
Suggested Citation
Jeff S. Lundeen & Brandon Sutherland & Aabid Patel & Corey Stewart & Charles Bamber, 2011.
"Direct measurement of the quantum wavefunction,"
Nature, Nature, vol. 474(7350), pages 188-191, June.
Handle:
RePEc:nat:nature:v:474:y:2011:i:7350:d:10.1038_nature10120
DOI: 10.1038/nature10120
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