Einstein–Bohr recoiling double-slit gedanken experiment performed at the molecular level

X-J Liu (1, 2) , Q Miao (3, 4) , F Gel'Mukhanov (3) , M Patanen (2) , O Travnikova (5, 2) , C Nicolas (2) , H Ågren (3) , K Ueda (6) , C Miron (7, 2)

1 School of Physics
2 SSOLEIL - Synchrotron SOLEIL
3 School of Biotechnology [Stockholm]
4 Shandong University of Science and Technology
5 LCPMR - Laboratoire de Chimie Physique - Matière et Rayonnement
6 Tohoku University [Sendai]
7 Horia Hulubei National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering

Double-slit experiments illustrate proof for wave–particle complementarity. The essence of Einstein–Bohr's debate about wave–particle duality was whether the momentum transfer between a particle and a recoiling slit could mark the path, thus destroying the interference. We realized this recoiling double-slit gedanken experiment by resonant X-ray photoemission from molecular oxygen for geometries near equilibrium (coupled slits) and in a dissociative state far away from equilibrium (decoupled slits). Interference is observed in the former case, while the electron momentum transfer quenches the interference in the latter case.

Domaines: Physique [physics]

X-J Liu, Q Miao, F Gel'Mukhanov, M Patanen, O Travnikova, et al.. Einstein–Bohr recoiling double-slit gedanken experiment performed at the molecular level. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2015, 635 (11), pp.112063 ⟨10.1088/1742-6596/635/11/112063⟩. ⟨hal-01266793⟩