Work

Demonstrating two-particle interference with a one-dimensional delta potential well

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: In quantum mechanics, the exchange symmetry of wave functions for identical particles has observable effects, including the widely studied Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) effect. A theoretical description using second quantization is elegant but abstract. In contrast, this paper describes a simple model of two-particle interference using a one-dimensional delta potential well as a beam splitter. The conditions for the HOM effect are derived from the perspective of wave packet evolution. Furthermore, the interference processes of bosons, fermions, and distinguishable particles are demonstrated and compared in detail. The method presented here is concrete, easy to visualize, and can help students to better understand the effects arising from the exchange symmetry of wave functions. The main results can be animated for classroom teaching or developed into an undergraduate seminar topic.

Source: American Journal of Physics

DOI: 10.1119/5.0176364

Authors: Zhi Jiao Deng, Xin Zhang, Yong Shen, Wei Tao Liu, Ping Xing Chen

Institution: National University of Defense Technology

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Mechanics and Applications

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China

Awards: G4436439, 多模光机械系统中量子纠缠特性及非线性动力学研究