Bhatta, Varun (2024) The Controversy about Interference of Photons. [Preprint]

Preview

Text Controversy-of-interference - Preprint.pdf Download (403kB) | Preview

Abstract

In the 1960s, the demonstration of interference effects using two laser-beams raised the question: can two photons interfere? Its plausibility contested Dirac's dictum, ``Interference between two different photons never occurs''. Disagreements about this conflict led to a controversy. This paper will chart the controversy's contour and show that it evolved over two phases. Subsequently, I investigate the reasons for its perpetuation. The controversy was initiated and fuelled by several misinterpretations of the dictum. I also argue that Dirac's dictum is not applicable to two photon interference as they belong to different contexts of interference. Recognising this resolves the controversy.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Bhatta, Varun S 0000-0001-7963-023X
Keywords:	History of Quantum Optics, Interference, Photons, Dirac's Dictum
Subjects:	General Issues > History of Science Case Studies Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Dr Varun Bhatta
Date Deposited:	27 Jun 2024 13:53
Last Modified:	27 Jun 2024 13:53
Item ID:	23627
Subjects:	General Issues > History of Science Case Studies Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	2024
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23627

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item