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In the classic double-slit experiment, photons are observed to create an interference pattern when passing through two slits. However, my hypothesis is that this setup limits the full potential of quantum photon behavior. Currently, we measure the photons at the slits, but I believe this does not capture all the possible quantum paths the photon can take.

What if, instead of only measuring at the slits, we expanded our measurement points to include additional locations, such as the ceiling or other areas along the photon’s potential path? I propose that by measuring in these additional locations, we could influence and manipulate the photon's behavior without violating the principles of quantum mechanics, such as wave-particle duality and the uncertainty principle.

The traditional interpretation of the two-slit experiment suggests that photon behavior can only be understood by restricting measurement to a limited number of paths. But in this approach, I argue that we may be able to detect photon paths at multiple points, allowing for a broader understanding of photon behavior in quantum systems.

How would this influence the interference pattern? Could this lead to new insights into photon manipulation? Would the additional measurement points alter the quantum mechanics involved, or is it simply a matter of extending our experimental setup? I believe that by including these alternative paths in the measurement process, we can gain more control over the photon’s behavior.

What are your thoughts on this idea? How could it be experimentally tested?

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    $\begingroup$ There is a wide range of interferometer devices as well as variety of diffraction patterns studied. The only thing special about the two slits is that it is commonly used in textbooks, for pedagogical purposes. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 3 at 15:01
  • $\begingroup$ I understand that the two-slit experiment is widely used in educational materials due to its simplicity and effectiveness in demonstrating key principles of interference. However, I also emphasize that quantum systems offer much more interaction potential than just choosing between two paths. As I proposed, it may be possible to use other measurement points and interaction options, allowing us to manipulate photons in a broader context, including measurements in different places and creating new interference patterns $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 3 at 15:24
  • $\begingroup$ "I believe this does not capture all the possible quantum paths the photon can take." No one thinks it does. Are you familiar with the path integral? There is a specific purpose to the usual double-slit setup. And that is to perform an A/B test to show a dependency which leads to interference - or not. The other paths don't contribute in any meaningful manner to the conclusions of those tests. And in fact, the experimenter does everything possible to isolate (prevent) any such effects. There are a number of other experiments which explore the existence of the full range of paths. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 3 at 15:33
  • $\begingroup$ Thank you for your reply. I believe there’s a misunderstanding. My idea is about measuring more than just the two slits, allowing us to influence the photon’s path by selecting different measurement points. It’s not only about interference, but about expanding the experiment to measure various possible paths and observe how these measurements affect photon behavior. This approach builds on the concept of path integrals, suggesting that we can control photon paths more freely by measuring them in multiple ways, not just the slits. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 3 at 15:38
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    $\begingroup$ "What if, instead of only measuring at the slits" - The photons are not measured at the slits, they are measured at the screen. Measuring at the slits will destroy the interference pattern. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 3 at 15:50

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Assuming that the screen in which the slits are made is large compared to the distance between the slits, then the probability that a photon would take some other path to the detector screen that does not pass through the slits is negligible (not exactly zero, but infinitesimally small). Therefore a detector placed anywhere other than at the slits will only detect a photon that is on its way to the detector screen after an unbelievably long time (almost certainly longer than the age of the universe). Therefore such a detector will have no observable effect on the interference pattern.

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  • $\begingroup$ The idea is that the photon doesn’t always follow the most probable path (like passing through the slits). In reality, it could take other paths, such as hitting the plate directly, which is a more likely outcome geometrically. However, we limit our observations to the slits, thus guiding the photon to travel through them. By measuring only certain paths, we impose a limitation, shaping the photon's behavior, rather than letting it choose freely. This highlights how measurement influences the outcome in quantum mechanics. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 4 at 7:43
  • $\begingroup$ @Vipmaks687 If the photon reaches the detector screen then we know that it has gone through one of the slits (the probability that it has taken some other route is infinitesimally small).. As long as we don't know which slit it has gone through then we see an interference pattern. Once we place a detector at one of the slits - so we know which slit each photon has gone through - then the interference pattern disappears. Placing a detector somewhere else (e.g. on the ceiling) will have no observable effect in either of these scenarios. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 4 at 9:39
  • $\begingroup$ I understand your point about the two-slit experiment and the interference pattern, but what I'm suggesting is that by placing a detector in a different location (such as on the ceiling), we can manipulate the possible paths of the photon. The purpose of the detector wouldn't be to measure the slit directly, but to observe different potential paths the photon could take, which could open up new ways to study its behavior. The idea is that by measuring paths beyond the slits, we can influence the photon’s behavior and potentially alter the outcomes of the experiment. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 4 at 9:51

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