Gao, Shan (2025) Is Bright and Dark States of Light the Quantum Origin of Classical Interference? [Preprint]

Text Gao-darkstate2025.pdf Download (171kB)

Abstract

Interference phenomena, such as those observed in Young’s double-slit experiment, are foundational to quantum mechanics, yet their interpretation continues to spark debate. Villas-Boas et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 134, 133603 (2025)] propose a quantum-optical framework attributing non-detection in regions of destructive interference to photons occupying ``perfectly dark'' states, which they claim do not interact with a two-level atom sensor due to vanishing coupling in the Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian. We argue that this interpretation is fundamentally flawed. Dark states, such as the out-of-phase coherent state \( |\alpha, -\alpha\rangle \), are readily detectable in alternative experimental setups, including dispersive coupling in cavity QED and photon-counting detectors like photomultiplier tubes or avalanche photodiodes, which are sensitive to the photon number operator. This detectability undermines the assertion that dark states are the intrinsic cause of non-detection in destructive interference regions. Instead, the quantum mechanical superposition principle, combined with the Born rule, fully accounts for interference patterns across all detection schemes, as evidenced by well-established experiments such as single-photon double-slit interference, Hong-Ou-Mandel two-photon interference, and cavity QED measurements. By overgeneralizing a detector-specific effect, the dark-state framework introduces an unnecessary and redundant construct, as the standard quantum mechanical formalism already provides a complete and experimentally validated explanation of interference phenomena.

---

Export/Citation:

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

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Gao, Shan sgao7319@uni.sydney.edu.au
Keywords:	quantum mechanics; double-slit experiment; bright states; dark states; superposition principle; Born rule
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Prof. Shan Gao
Date Deposited:	20 Aug 2025 13:37
Last Modified:	20 Aug 2025 13:37
Item ID:	26277
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	20 August 2025
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/26277

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item