Published September 2007 | Version v1
Journal article

Observation of complementarity in the macroscopic domain

  • 1. Department of Physics, Yantai University, Yantai 264005 (China)
  • 2. Department of Physics, Applied Optics Beijing Area Major Laboratory, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875 (China)

Description

Complementarity is usually considered as a phenomenon of microscopic systems. In this paper, we report an experimental observation of complementarity in correlated double-slit interference with a pseudothermal light source. The thermal light beam is divided into test and reference beams which are correlated with each other. The double slit is set in the test arm, and an interference pattern can be observed in the intensity correlation between the two arms. The experimental results show that the disappearance of the interference fringe depends on whether which-path information is gained through the reference arm. The experiment therefore shows complementarity occurring in the macroscopic domain

Additional details

Identifiers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review. A
Journal Volume
76
Journal Issue
3
Journal Page Range
p. 032109-032109.4
ISSN
1050-2947
CODEN
PLRAAN

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
39038138
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
BEAMS; CORRELATIONS; INTERFERENCE; LIGHT SOURCES
Descriptors DEC
RADIATION SOURCES

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2007 The American Physical Society