Diffraction-based interaction-free measurements

Spencer Rogers*, Yakir Aharonov, Cyril Elouard, Andrew N. Jordan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

We introduce diffraction-based interaction-free measurements. In contrast with previous work where a set of discrete paths is engaged, good-quality interaction-free measurements can be realized with a continuous set of paths, as is typical of optical propagation. If a bomb is present in a given spatial region—so sensitive that a single photon will set it off—its presence can still be detected without exploding it. This is possible because, by not absorbing the photon, the bomb causes the single photon to diffract around it. The resulting diffraction pattern can then be statistically distinguished from the bomb-free case. We work out the case of single- versus double-slit in detail, where the double-slit arises because of a bomb excluding the middle region.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)145-153
Number of pages9
JournalQuantum Studies: Mathematics and Foundations
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 2020

Funding

FundersFunder number
Deutsch-Israelische Projektkooperation
German–Israeli Project Cooperation
National Science FoundationDMR-1809343, 1809343
Israel Science Foundation1311/14
Israeli Centers for Research Excellence

    Keywords

    • Bomb-detection
    • Diffraction
    • Double-slit
    • Interaction-free measurement
    • Zeno effect

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